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Pacific nations shaping future of seabed mining rules, says ISA chief
RNZ Pacific The head of the United Nations body mandated to develop regulations for seabed mining in international waters says Pacific countries are playing a big role in shaping the regulations that will govern the future industry. International Seabed Authority (ISA) Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho was in Fiji last week conducting training for Pacific Island nations
RNZ Pacific The head of the United Nations body mandated to develop regulations for seabed mining in international waters says Pacific countries are playing a big role in shaping the regulations that will govern the future industry. International Seabed Authority (ISA) Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho was in Fiji last week conducting training for Pacific Island nations on what it means to be a sponsoring state of a potential seabed mining company. There is great interest from the likes of China and the US in polymetallic nodules found on the deep seabed in parts of the Pacific Ocean’s international waters. READ MORE: Other seabed mining reports These nodules are rich in minerals such as copper, cobalt and nickel. These metals are highly valued in modern tech — but it remains uncertain how damaging mining would be to the marine environment. Carvalho told RNZ Pacific Waves the region was very important to the ISA process of developing rules for mining, given the strong country positions both for and against. “Some of them are really close to the idea of mining in the deep sea outside of national jurisdiction. Others are very much attached to the environmental safeguards and cautious about this activity, therefore this region has a big role in shaping the regime.” She said she respected the opposing views Pacific countries had on the potential future industry. PIF representatives In Fiji, she met with representatives of Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) member countries and civil society organisations. She said these were sovereign positions and her role was not to judge but rather to facilitate dialogue. “And that is why I am here for capacity building, training, bringing my team to support these countries to better understand how they can make decisions internally and how they can sit at the table with others to find consensus in the multilateral space.” She also acknowledged there were some civil society complaints about exclusion from the training but she clarified that the list of participants was constructed based on the relevance of the subject matter. “So this training was particularly formulated to get government officials more enlightened about the responsibilities and how to make deals with contractors and investors.” Carvahlo said some representatives of civil society networks were present as observers but it was not possible to invite everyone. Before she left Fiji, Carvahlo did meet with a group of civil society representatives. She said it was good for her to hear their concerns firsthand. ‘Still big gap’ “They still see a big gap in their participation and their voices to be heard in the decision making,” she said. “It was very enlightening for me to see that there is still work to be done in this region to make that communities can really engage and shape and influence decision making.” The ISA boss encouraged all Pacific Island countries, regardless of their stance on deep sea mining, to participate fully in the International Seabed Authority meetings to make use of this historic opportunity to develop the proper regulations for an industry before it actually begins. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
The only "Doctor My Eyes" version you need to listen🎶 #music #jacksonbrowne #lelandsklar
This content originally appeared on Playing For Change and was authored by Playing For Change.
Warning: Highly addictive music ahead 😉🎶 #ledzeppelin
A Sordid History of Stolen Korean Children
Paige Towers’s new book ‘What They Stole: A Familicide Rooted in Intercountry Adoption’ takes a searing look at international adoption.
Paige Towers’s new book ‘What They Stole: A Familicide Rooted in Intercountry Adoption’ takes a searing look at international adoption. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Eleanor J. Bader.
On the Coast of Gaza, A Zoo Reopens Its Doors
Israel’s years-long bombing campaign imperiled a family-run zoo in Rafah—but its owner isn’t giving up.
Israel’s years-long bombing campaign imperiled a family-run zoo in Rafah—but its owner isn’t giving up. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Ohood Nassar.
AFGE Blasts Administration’s Proposed NDA Rule as Yet Another Attack on Non-Partisan Federal Employees
American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement in response to a proposed rule by the Office of Personnel Management, to be published tomorrow in the Federal Register, that would require cur...
American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement in response to a proposed rule by the Office of Personnel Management, to be published tomorrow in the Federal Register, that would require current and prospective employees at participating agencies to sign non-disclosure agreements as a condition of employment: “OPM continues its efforts to silence federal employees. This proposed NDA is another attempt by the administration to purge the civil service of nonpartisan career employees and replace them with loyalists who won’t speak out against waste, fraud, and abuse. Federal employees do not surrender their First Amendment rights when they accept federal employment, and the public has a right to know about this administration’s abuses. “OPM claims the form will be ‘optional’ for agencies to use and merely restates existing law. We know that will not be true. OPM will pressure agencies to make the NDA mandatory and then fire employees who refuse to sign it. “Moreover, federal agencies already have extensive policies and procedures in place for preventing the unauthorized release of classified or privileged information. This proposed rule sweeps in an extraordinarily broad category of information, extending restrictions to the very material the public relies on to learn when an administration is causing harm. AFGE will submit comments on the proposed rule and urges OPM to withdraw it.” This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Newswire Editor.
ANTONIO PUTZU & TENORES (Oliena, Sardinia, Italy)
This content originally appeared on Vincent Moon / Petites Planètes and was authored by Vincent Moon / Petites Planètes.
ANDREA PISU (Villaputzu, Sardinia, Italy)
Another Way Out: We need a mosaic movement, not fragmented ‘leftism’
<img width="779" height="433" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/another-way-out-%E2%80%94-russell-maroon-shoatz.webp?fit=779%2C433&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Credit: Designed by Lara Witt, illustration by Bec Young via Justseeds" data-attachment-id="343714" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/another-way-out-we-need-a-mosaic-movement-not-fragmented-leftism/another-way-out-russell-maroon-shoatz" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/another-way-out-%E2%80%94-russell-maroon-shoatz.webp?fit=779%2C433&ssl=1" data-orig-size="779,433" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","alt":""}' data-image-title="another-way-out-—-russell-maroon-shoatz" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Credit: Designed by Lara Witt, illustration by Bec Young via Justseeds " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/another-way-out-%E2%80%94-russell-maroon-shoatz.webp?fit=779%2C433&ssl=1"> Instead of a call for resentment-filled “unity” or traditional fronts, we can look to what former Black Panther, Black Liberation Army member, and political prisoner Russell Maroon Shoatz called “the mosaic.”
<img width="779" height="433" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/another-way-out-%E2%80%94-russell-maroon-shoatz.webp?fit=779%2C433&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Credit: Designed by Lara Witt, illustration by Bec Young via Justseeds" decoding="async" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343714" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/another-way-out-we-need-a-mosaic-movement-not-fragmented-leftism/another-way-out-russell-maroon-shoatz" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/another-way-out-%E2%80%94-russell-maroon-shoatz.webp?fit=779%2C433&ssl=1" data-orig-size="779,433" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","alt":""}" data-image-title="another-way-out-—-russell-maroon-shoatz" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Credit: Designed by Lara Witt, illustration by Bec Young via Justseeds " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/another-way-out-%E2%80%94-russell-maroon-shoatz.webp?fit=779%2C433&ssl=1" /> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="600" height="314" data-attachment-id="293467" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/alabama-prison-strikers-demands-push-for-decarceration/prismlogo-sized" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PRISMlogo-sized.png?fit=600%2C314&ssl=1" data-orig-size="600,314" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="PRISMlogo-sized" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PRISMlogo-sized.png?fit=600%2C314&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PRISMlogo-sized.png?resize=600%2C314&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-293467 size-full" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PRISMlogo-sized.png?w=600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PRISMlogo-sized.png?resize=300%2C157&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PRISMlogo-sized.png?resize=400%2C209&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/PRISMlogo-sized.png?w=370&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /> This story originally appeared in Prism on April 28, 2026. “The ‘mosaic’ will be built on the principles of seeking to recruit from both the most oppressed segments and from among the most selfless. … The mosaic must immediately begin a dialogue toward building a consensus—as soon as possible—about how to best further coordinate our collective efforts.” –Russell Maroon Shoatz “Freedom is indivisible, or it is nothing at all besides sloganeering and temporary, short-sighted, and short-lived advancement for a few. Freedom is indivisible, and either we are working for freedom, or you are working for the sake of your self-interests and I am working for mine.” –<a href="https://www.google.ca/books/edition/Some_Of_Us_Did_Not_Die_Selected_Essays/4pPHXQ7i2PEC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Freedom+is+indivisible+or+it+is+nothing+at+all+besides+sloganeering+and+temporary,+short-sighted,+and+short-lived+advancement+for+a+few.+Freedom+is+indivisible,+and+either+we+are+working+for+freedom+or+you+are+working+for+the+sake+of+your+self-interests+and+I+am+working+for+mine.&pg=PT132&printsec=frontcover" rel="noreferrer noopener">June Jordan Oftentimes, powerlessness and despair lead people to turn on one another. Far too many who are scared to fight the crisis will fight their neighbor instead. The history of conquest, colonization, and capitalism is filled with examples. Like clockwork, we can always identify those who are confused, stuck, and deluded by their inability to determine where to direct their fury. In the face of vast oppression, instead of aiming for the head of their tormenters and ruling tyrants, these types blame those next to them. It’s a common reality where poverty flourishes, conflict simmers to a boiling point, and where rigid ideologues preach. In the face of fascism, there are plenty among us in the U.S. who seem doubtful about our collective power. There will need to be some level of understanding in order to overcome. Instead of a call for resentment-filled “unity” or traditional fronts, we can look to what former Black Panther, Black Liberation Army member, and political prisoner Russell Maroon Shoatz called “the mosaic” for a model of what’s possible. We will not beat back repressive power with a bunch of fragmented groups and individuals beefing over all of the nothingness they have control over. Perhaps nowhere throughout the Western world is the pitifulness of empty division more apparent than in the U.S. An ongoing circus of sectarian leftists continue to define themselves by pointing fingers at one another, even going as far as blaming each other for genocides, imperialism, and geopolitics that are far beyond their respective spheres of influence. This is a gross overestimation of their own relevance, size, and impact, indicating a ridiculous disconnect. After all, if you took all of the different sections of leftists (Marxists, anarchists, etc.) in the U.S., and added them together in sum, you would fail to total even half a percent of the U.S. population. That’s why I regularly use this leftist microcosm of a much larger problem to highlight the delusion we’re inundated with. As I’ve previously written, it’s a place where you can easily understand how twisted people become on self-important quests while failing to beat back all they claim to be against at home. Genocide is not happening because someone you don’t like posted a take you don’t agree with on their social media. Imperialism does not need the consent of a U.S. population that largely doesn’t vote because the U.S. is an oligarchy where public opinion doesn’t truly influence policy. The ruling class doesn’t need to “distract” people from the Epstein files for the same reason it doesn’t care about the public will at this point. They don’t appear to fear us much, if at all. The question remains, will we give them a good reason to? The current answer is a loud “no,” as long as people play games that have nothing to do with organizing to defeat the ruling class. This will not happen by waiting for a political party, an outside government, or a hero to do it for us. Expecting as much is an entitled U.S. mindset. It will not happen by projecting ourselves onto movements past or present that we are not part of, while pretending we represent them solely on the basis of ideological identity. It will not happen by being loud influencers on social media, pundits, or celebrities who simply react to worsening conditions for the sake of engaging their followers. Instead, we have to take the lonely and often isolating road away from all of this popular absurdity toward a better project. Shoatz has an essay titled “The Dragon and the Hydra.” This historical study of organizational methods examines some pitfalls of relying on highly centralized models of resistance. Shoatz lifts up successful examples throughout Black history that didn’t operate this way. In his collected works, “Maroon the Implacable,” the essay includes an end section titled “The Mosaic.” Shoatz lays out the distressing conditions similarly to what I have detailed above, writing: At present, there are many sectarian divisions due to racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, cultural, and geographic differences. These hinder individuals, organizations, and entire communities who already interact, share many of the same concerns, are faced with similar obstacles to their well-being, and already cooperate to various degrees. But we can all come together like a “mosaic” with a goal of creating positive changes in our collective well-being. According to Shoatz, his vision for the mosaic was more complicated than forced assimilation. He continues: The “mosaic” will not be an effort directed toward imposing any type of multiracial, multiethnic, gender-neutral, or conformist utopian universalism. No! The mosaic will allow individuals, organizations, and entire communities to exercise self-determination in deciding what types of social orders they choose to struggle to bring into being, while at the same time learning how to better come together with others to form societies that will be superior to the ones in which we now live. Thus, the word “mosaic” fits us in many ways. We will add to the dictionary definition by defining ourselves as “the mosaic: the movement of oppressed sectors acting in concert.” Shoatz explains that “the ‘mosaic’ is an ideological jumping-off point that will serve all of our separate and collective interests; it can also be termed ‘Inter-Communal Self-Determination.’” In the spirit of learning from the Black Panthers—successes and failures—Shoatz presents a somewhat revised approach. After all, radicalism and praxis are living practices; you have to know more, study more, and comprehend more than one ideology or historical example in order to supersede it. You cannot “critique” what you don’t understand, haven’t read, or haven’t educated yourself about. He illustrates the better approach by drawing on a multitude of elements of Marxism, anarchism, and Leninism to reach his conclusions. The breadth of his study shows how he could suggest such a mosaic movement, and the limitations of our current situation reinforce his call. If anything, I would take his analysis a step further upon witnessing the seemingly impervious nature of doctrinaire leftism, which traps far too many in the pits of regression. As it stands, we don’t have an oppositional or even functional left. We have “leftists” and “leftism,” and there’s a difference. We’re in the midst of deterioration, but we can rise above it all and approach life with the humility needed to learn and evolve. To build a mosaic movement, we will have to grow beyond the goofiness that leftism is reduced to in the U.S. while fascism thrives. We don’t have an oppositional or even functional left. We have “leftists” and “leftism,” and there’s a difference. Tunisian radical theorist and member of the infamous Situationist International, Mustapha Khayati, offered the work “Address to Revolutionaries of Algeria and of All Countries” in July 1965. He explained: Everywhere there are social confrontations, but nowhere is the old order destroyed, not even within the very forces that contest it. Everywhere the ideologies of the old world are criticized and rejected, but nowhere is “the real movement that suppresses existing conditions” liberated from one or another “ideology” in Marx’s sense of the word: ideas that serve masters. Revolutionaries are everywhere, but nowhere is there any real revolution. The abundance of loud, self-styled radicals talking as if they’re generals of great armies or have huge revolutionary accomplishments under their belts is utter absurdity. It is especially asinine when losses are piling up. What is there to be so arrogant about? A mosaic movement will have to break free from orthodoxy and learn through actions that bring our politics to life. East German communist dissident Rudolf Bahro wrote in “Socialism and Survival” that orthodoxy becomes reactionary “when a new epoch in the liberation struggle is impending, involving a fundamental regrouping of forces, and this orthodoxy then tries to push people back into the patterns prescribed by the old theoretical paradigm that must now be dialectically superseded.” He said, “We cannot wait until our old recipes start to work after all.” We are repeating past mistakes based on petty nonsense. We are regularly falling apart. If we do not want the failure of all this to keep falling on us, then we should move out of its way. We should move on to bigger, better, and more thoughtful practices. We should move toward the mosaic. Editorial Team: Lara Witt, Lead Editor Lara Witt, Top Editor Stephanie Harris, Copy Editor This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by William C. Anderson.
Inside North Korea’s Closed Digital World | Proton Data Wars | VICE News
This content originally appeared on VICE News and was authored by VICE News.
Secretary-General warns Security Council UN Charter is facing ‘profound strain’Air travel safe for now in face of Ebola emergency says UN aviation agencyUN alarmed by escalating attacks and destruction in Ukraine
Secretary-General warns Security Council UN Charter is facing ‘profound strain’Air travel safe for now in face of Ebola emergency says UN aviation agencyUN alarmed by escalating attacks and destruction in Ukraine This content originally appeared on UN News - Global perspective Human stories and was authored by Jolina Dong.
Reframing Mass Incarceration, Antiracism, and Abolition
First up, Wanda Bertram from the Prison Policy Initiative joins the show to talk about what we don’t know and what we think we know about mass incarceration. Wanda shares some stats and facts that you’ll never hear on corporate media, and debunks myths...
First up, Wanda Bertram from the Prison Policy Initiative joins the show to talk about what we don’t know and what we think we know about mass incarceration. Wanda shares some stats and facts that you’ll never hear on corporate media, and debunks myths that betray our propagandized thinking. The post Reframing Mass Incarceration, Antiracism, and Abolition appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Doordarshan anchor calls Delhi student Pakistani for raising CBSE marking grievance
When Vedant Srivastava, a Class 12 student from Delhi, posted about his CBSE Physics paper mix-up on X, he probably did not expect a senior journalist to accuse him of... The post Doordarshan anchor calls Delhi student Pakistani for raising CBSE marking grievance appeared first on Alt News.
When Vedant Srivastava, a Class 12 student from Delhi, posted about his CBSE Physics paper mix-up on X, he probably did not expect a senior journalist to accuse him of being Pakistani. On May 23, after receiving unexpectedly low marks in Physics, Vedant had applied for photocopies of his answer sheets through CBSE’s reevaluation process. When the copies arrived, he discovered that the Physics answer sheet uploaded by the Board was not his. He made an X account to post about his grievances. I am a CBSE Class 12 student. After receiving unexpectedly low marks in Physics, we applied for photocopies of my answer sheets through the CBSE reevaluation process. Today we received the copies. And I am shattered because the Physics answer sheet uploaded by CBSE is not mine — VEDANT (@VEDANTSHRIV17) May 23, 2026 Vedant’s complaint came amid mounting criticism of the CBSE’s On-Screen Marking system, introduced this year for Class 12 evaluations. After results dropped to an 85.2% pass rate, the lowest since 2019, students alleged incorrect marking, blurred scans, unchecked answers, and page-wise marks not matching final totals. The re-evaluation portal also crashed repeatedly during payments and submissions. CBSE and the education ministry defended the system, saying it improved objectivity. Fees for re-evaluation were slashed under pressure; scanned copy charges dropped from Rs 700 to Rs 100 per subject. Upon seeing Vedant’s post, Doordarshan News anchor Ashok Shrivastav, the face of their primetime programme Do Took, checked the region listed on the X handle and found it said “South Asia.” On the basis of this, Shrivastav concluded that the account belonged to a Pakistani user. Taking to X, he sarcastically wrote in Hindi: “Did Pakistanis also appear for CBSE exams?!!” <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-315715 size-full" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HJJ-3i_bwAAFLIB.jpg" alt="" width="1320" height="1330" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HJJ-3i_bwAAFLIB.jpg 1320w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HJJ-3i_bwAAFLIB-298x300.jpg 298w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HJJ-3i_bwAAFLIB-1016x1024.jpg 1016w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HJJ-3i_bwAAFLIB-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HJJ-3i_bwAAFLIB-768x774.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px" /> Several other Right Wing influencers, including @MrSinha_ and Ajeet Bharti, also amplified the same claim. Click to view slideshow. Shrivastav, however, had to delete his post after he found out that Vedant was, in fact, a student. In a clarificatory post, he apologised to Vedant and his family for his mistake. Yet in the same post, he also wrote, “… The reason why the location of his tweet is showing from outside India is still not known… But I still hope that if the correct information about the account’s location is received, the matter will become even clearer.” अभी जानकारी मिली है कि वेदांत नाम का स्टूडेंट वास्तव में एक छात्र है। हालांकि उसके ट्वीट की लोकेशन भारत से बाहर की क्यों दिखाई जा रही है इसकी पर्याय जानकारी अभी भी नहीं मिली है। लेकिन @vineetJindal19 जी मेरे मित्र हैं और विश्वसनीय व्यक्ति हैं इसलिए उनकी जानकारी गलत नहीं होगी। सही… — Ashok Shrivastav (@AshokShrivasta6) May 25, 2026 Vedant and his brother Siddhant Srivastava took to the social media platform to deny the allegations levelled by Shrivastav. Expressing his dismay, Siddhant noted that Vedant only recently made the X handle since he could not apply for reevaluation and had to flag his issues. Siddhant also claimed that for a new account, X takes one to three days to pinpoint a country. “…otherwise it shows a broader region”, he said. In another video posted by Vedant, he showed how he was unable to change the location of his handle from South Asia. Aaj Tak also went to Vedant’s house to interview him about the marking controversy. Finally, on May 25, Vedant posted on X that the CBSE officials reached out to him and sent him the correct answer sheet. Thanking all those who supported him during the controversy, he said “People called us antinational and Pakistani just because we raised a genuine concern and at the end Truth has prevailed”. <img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-315716 size-full" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/chrome_lABgrXqKbB.png" alt="" width="921" height="763" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/chrome_lABgrXqKbB.png 921w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/chrome_lABgrXqKbB-300x249.png 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/chrome_lABgrXqKbB-768x636.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 921px) 100vw, 921px" /> Ashok Shrivastav also issued a formal apology to Vedant under one of his initial posts. “Dear Vedant, I learned from Vineet ji that your issue has been resolved. I was delighted to hear that. Wishing you all the very best for the future. And for any distress caused to you and your family on my account, I offer my sincere apologies”, the apology read. The post Doordarshan anchor calls Delhi student Pakistani for raising CBSE marking grievance appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Shinjinee Majumder.
California Chemical Crisis: "The Threat Has NOT Been Eliminated" w/ Maximillian Alvarez
This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by The Real News Network.
"He Was in Agony": Tennessee Issues 1-Year Stay for Tony Carruthers After Botched Execution Attempt
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
"Designed to Break You": Gaza Flotilla Activists Faced Violence, Sexual Abuse in Israeli Detention
U.S. Bombs Iran Despite Peace Talks; Israel Strikes Lebanon to "Force Trump’s Hand": Negar Mortazavi
Sudan: Colombians Linked to Atrocities Trained in UAE Bases
This content originally appeared on Human Rights Watch and was authored by Human Rights Watch.
Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 26, 2026
“He Was in Agony”: Tennessee Issues 1-Year Stay for Tony Carruthers After Botched Execution Attempt
Tennessee death row prisoner Tony Carruthers was issued a one-year stay of execution last Thursday after prison officials were unable to find a backup injection vein in a botched execution attempt that left Carruthers suffering and in pain for...
Tennessee death row prisoner Tony Carruthers was issued a one-year stay of execution last Thursday after prison officials were unable to find a backup injection vein in a botched execution attempt that left Carruthers suffering and in pain for over an hour. Nashville reporter Steven Hale attended the execution and describes his and fellow witnesses’ confusion as they heard the sounds of what Carruthers’s attorneys are calling “torture.” Per Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol, witnesses can only see inside the execution chamber once the injection process has begun. Carruthers, who has long struggled with mental health issues and represented himself in his trial, was convicted of triple homicide in 1996. He has always maintained his innocence, but courts have thus far blocked his requests for modern-day crime scene analysis that could lead to his exoneration. Tennessee resumed capital punishment last year, following a three-year moratorium put in place to review the state’s lethal injection protocols. Since its resumption, three people have been executed by the state, all by lethal injection. Carruthers would have been the fourth. This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
“Designed to Break You”: Gaza Flotilla Activists Faced Violence, Sexual Abuse in Israeli Detention
“I could hear screaming the whole time.” Our guests Alex Colston and Haitham Arafat spent days in Israeli custody after being abducted from a humanitarian mission sailing to Gaza. They share accounts of violence, abuse and torture ...
“I could hear screaming the whole time.” Our guests Alex Colston and Haitham Arafat spent days in Israeli custody after being abducted from a humanitarian mission sailing to Gaza. They share accounts of violence, abuse and torture at the hands of Israeli soldiers. “The process that they have there in the jail was designed to break you as a human,” says Arafat, a Palestinian American activist born in Gaza who has taken part in multiple missions attempting to break Israel’s long-standing siege. Over 100 members of his family have been killed in Gaza since October 7. While incarcerated, the activists were visited by Israel’s minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who was recently banned from France after publicly ridiculing flotilla members. “They call us provocateurs, or they say we’re terrorists … and yet, whenever Ben-Gvir shows up to these things, he’s the one provoking us,” says Colston, a journalist who was previously detained by Israel while sailing with the Global Sumud Flotilla last year. This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
U.S. Bombs Iran Despite Peace Talks; Israel Strikes Lebanon to “Force Trump’s Hand”: Negar Mortazavi
We get an update on the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran from journalist Negar Mortazavi, following the Pentagon’s so-called self-defense strikes on two Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz Monday despite an official ceasefire and ongoing peace...
We get an update on the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran from journalist Negar Mortazavi, following the Pentagon’s so-called self-defense strikes on two Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz Monday despite an official ceasefire and ongoing peace negotiations. The “chaotic” ceasefire “has been violated from day one,” says Mortazavi, who notes that Israel’s continuous attacks on southern Lebanon are delaying attempts to end the war — and that this is exactly the intention of the Israeli government. “Clearly, Netanyahu doesn’t want this war with Iran to end,” she says. “Every step of escalation is definitely going to harm the final outcome and narrow the path to a final agreement.” Mortazavi also comments on the new political reality for Iran’s Gulf neighbors in the aftermath of Iranian strikes on U.S. military bases hosted in the region. “The Iranian message is: If war comes to us, it will not stay inside our borders.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Kramatorsk Hit By Russian Air Strike; Casualties Reported | Ukraine Front Line Update
This content originally appeared on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and was authored by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
U.S. Attacks Southern Iran as Ceasefire Negotiations Continue, Israel Attacks Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley, Killing 12 People, Israeli Strikes Kill at Least Five Palestinians at a Refugee Camp in Gaza, Police Officers in Spain Attack Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla at Bilbao Airport, New Jersey Police Arrest 10 Activists Attempting to Stop Ammunition Shipment to Israel, Federal Judge Dismisses All Criminal Charges Against Kilmar Ábrego García, USCIS Says Most Green Card Seekers Must Apply from Home Countries, Bystander Is Wounded as Secret Service Service Kills Alleged Gunman Outside White House, Russia Warns Foreigners and Diplomats to Leave Kyiv After Deadly Weekend Assault, WHO Warns Ebola Is Spreading Faster Than Efforts to Contain It, Pope Leo Issues Encyclical Warning Artificial Intelligence Must Serve Humanity, 300 Detainees at Delaney ICE Jail Launch Hunger Strike to Protest Inhumane Conditions
U.S. Attacks Southern Iran as Ceasefire Negotiations Continue Israel Attacks Lebanon's Beqaa Valley, Killing 12 People Israeli Strikes Kill at Least Five Palestinians at a Refugee Camp in Gaza Police Officers in Spain Attack Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla at Bilbao Airport New Jersey Police Arrest 10 Activists Attempting to Stop Ammunition Shipment to Israel Federal Judge Dismisses All Criminal Charges Against Kilmar Ábrego García USCIS Says Most Green Card Seekers Must Apply from Home Countries Bystander Is Wounded as Secret Service Service Kills Alleged Gunman Outside White House Russia Warns Foreigners and Diplomats to Leave Kyiv After Deadly Weekend Assault WHO Warns Ebola Is Spreading Faster Than Efforts to Contain It Pope Leo Issues Encyclical Warning Artificial Intelligence Must Serve Humanity 300 Detainees at Delaney ICE Jail Launch Hunger Strike to Protest Inhumane Conditions This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Democracy Now! Tuesday, May 26, 2026 This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Gaza flotilla activists beaten by police upon arriving in Bilbao, Spain
She Faced a Life-Threatening Miscarriage. Under Arkansas’ Abortion Ban, Even Calls to the Governor’s Office Didn’t Help.
The post She Faced a Life-Threatening Miscarriage. Under Arkansas’ Abortion Ban, Even Calls to the Governor’s Office Didn’t Help. appeared first on ProPublica.
Emily Waldorf Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica On the morning of Sept. 16, 2024, Emily Waldorf’s preschooler found her curled on the bathroom floor. Waldorf had felt a strange pressure during a shower, like a balloon bulging into her vagina, and was now bleeding. “I can be your pillow, mommy,” her daughter said, nuzzling into her neck. Waldorf was 17 weeks pregnant. She and her husband, Justin, dropped their daughter off at her grandparents’ and rushed to Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where Waldorf worked as an acute care physical therapist. In a dark room, a doctor pointed to an hourglass shape glowing on the ultrasound screen: There was her amniotic sac, funneling into her dilated cervix, and there was their tiny daughter’s foot, dipping out. “Your body is about to miscarry,” the doctor said. Three doctors gathered and told the couple that the longer Waldorf’s cervix remained open and her uterus exposed to bacteria, the higher her risk of developing a life-threatening infection. The standard of care, they explained, would be to quickly empty her womb. But they couldn’t do that, one doctor said apologetically, sighing deeply. The baby still had a detectable heartbeat, and stopping it would run afoul of a state abortion ban that snapped into place after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022; violations carried penalties of up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. They needed to wait until Waldorf went into labor on her own or showed signs of a dangerous infection, or until the fetal heartbeat ended. “Our hands are tied behind our backs,” Dr. Erin Large later told her, according to a journal Waldorf began keeping on her phone and shared with ProPublica. “Tell your friends to vote differently.” Raised Baptist in a Republican family, Waldorf struggled to understand what the doctors were saying as waves of grief hit her. How could an abortion ban aimed at women who wanted to end their pregnancies keep doctors from helping a woman who didn’t? Waldorf didn’t oppose abortion, but she had never considered that the law could apply to her. Her father was a doctor. This was the hospital where she had worked for the past six years. The OB-GYN team treating her had delivered her daughter, and some of them lived blocks from her parents. She was a highly educated 38-year-old woman with connections to the governor. As she lay in a hospital bed, worried that infection could enter her uterus at any moment, she finally understood the ban now applied to anyone losing a baby. Trapped in a medical limbo, she took a nurse friend’s advice and began writing everything down. That journal, along with her medical records and interviews, offer a rare, harrowing account of how Arkansas’ abortion ban, not best practices or medical training, guided her doctors’ choices. She was miscarrying as hospitals, physicians, lawmakers and medical boards around the country were being confronted with the reality that the bans, designed to be as strict and punitive as possible, were causing preventable harm and even deaths. Yet even as more of these cases stacked up, there was no coordination between states to protect women. Each state, each woman seemed to operate in a vacuum. And Waldorf would find she was in it alone. One of the doctors advised Waldorf to go home and told her what to expect: At any moment, she could start bleeding heavily and go into labor. It might happen while she was going to the bathroom or playing on the floor with her daughter. When the baby started to emerge, the doctor said, Waldorf shouldn’t pull too hard or she could rip the baby’s head off. She would need to cut the umbilical cord herself and return to the hospital for care in a diaper, her fetus wrapped in towels and the cord hanging between her legs. Waldorf didn’t want her daughter, or herself, to have those memories inside their home. So she begged to stay, and the doctors agreed. No one could predict when the ordeal would be over. Waldorf settled into a small hospital room, her husband glued to the vinyl couch beside her, both reeling from the impending loss of what would have been their second daughter. The pregnancy had been far enough along to start getting their 4-year-old daughter excited about decorating a nursery, family-of-four camping trips and what it would mean to become a big sister. Now they had to engage in the morbid ritual of waiting for that dream to die. Doctors and nurses with Doppler machines and ultrasounds kept showing up, forcing them to hear the heartbeat and see the movement of a tiny body. “Oh look,” Large said during one of the ultrasounds, “she’s opening and closing her mouth.” “My body failed a baby,” Waldorf wrote in her journal. Waldorf’s job, treating critical patients in the intensive care unit, had taught her to compartmentalize, to stay cool under pressure. But as the days bled together, her resolve turned to panic when she discovered one outcome she had not considered. Scrolling through social media on her third night, a headline caught her eye: “Abortion Bans Have Delayed Emergency Medical Care. In Georgia, Experts Say This Mother’s Death Was Preventable.” On the day Waldorf was admitted to the hospital, ProPublica had published an investigation on the death of Amber Thurman, a 28-year-old medical assistant who died of infection after doctors delayed emptying her uterus. Thurman left behind a 6-year-old son. “Oh my god, it isn’t just me,”Waldorf thought.“But she died.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="1128" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=752" alt="A three-quarter-length portrait of a woman with shoulder-length dark hair wearing a reddish-brown corduroy jumpsuit, standing indoors under angled skylights with houseplants in the soft-focus background." class="wp-image-80244" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1365,2048 1365w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,1295 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,633 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,828 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,837 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,791 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,1128 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,1724 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1067,1600 1067w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,1800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM026_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,2400 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> Waldorf hopes speaking out about her ordeal during a dangerous miscarriage under Arkansas’s abortion ban will help other women. Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica Almost exactly three years before Waldorf showed up at Washington Regional in urgent need of care, a 28-year-old woman named Josseli Barnica arrived at a Houston emergency room with the same condition. She, too, was 17 weeks pregnant. The fetus’ head was pressed up against her dilated cervix, and a miscarriage was, according to her medical record, “inevitable.” When her husband rushed from work to her side, she relayed what she said the medical team had told her: Inducing delivery or emptying her uterus would be “a crime,” he later told ProPublica. “They had to wait until there was no heartbeat.” Texas, like Arkansas, has a criminal abortion ban. Had Barnica landed in one of the hospitals across the world, from Nigeria to Mexico, that follow standards from the World Health Organization and countless medical associations, her treatment would have been much different. In those hospitals, when a patient’s cervix opens too soon, signaling an “inevitable miscarriage,” or when their water breaks before the fetus can survive, known as previable preterm premature rupture of membranes (shorthanded as “PPROM”), it’s standard for doctors to offer to empty the uterus. That’s true even if there is still a heartbeat, given the high risk of infection. “This is basic obstetrics,” said Dr. Alison Goulding, a maternal-fetal-medicine specialist in Texas. “Everyone should know that you have to provide an abortion in these settings or women can die.” For 40 hours, Barnica waited in the hospital for the heartbeat to stop, with her cervix exposed to bacteria. She died three days after she delivered, ProPublica reported in October 2024; the cause was a deadly infection. The hospital declined to comment on Barnica’s case but said “our responsibility is to be in compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations” and physicians exercise their independent judgment. The doctors involved did not respond to requests for comment. Her death and those of six other women in three states over the next three years brought into sharp focus the consequences of the bans. Because the laws’ exceptions for medical emergencies are vague and have rarely been tested in courts, liability-conscious hospital administrators, lawyers and doctors have sometimes put legal concerns above their patients’ well-being, ProPublica’s reporting has found. Texas lawmakers responded to ProPublica’s investigations by amending the exceptions in their state laws to make clear that a life-threatening emergency did not need to be “imminent” for physicians to act. The state’s medical board specified that doctors can empty the uterus of any patient with PPROM, and it requires doctors to undergo training to ensure they know that. But Texas’ reforms stopped at its borders. Without a single federal law governing abortion, each of the 19 other states with similar bans were not required or advised to follow suit. That includes Arkansas, which touts its designation as the “most pro-life state in America.” Since its ban took effect, not one person there has been granted a medically necessary abortion, according to the state’s public data. The state’s Republican lawmakers and officials have repeatedly shot down attempts to broaden the law’s exceptions. And when advocates tried to launch a ballot initiative to let voters weigh in, Republicans blocked it over a paperwork error and created restrictions to make those initiatives harder to file. The doctors and Democrats fighting for reform have been doing so without essential knowledge that could help make their case. Though the two states share a border, news of Texas’ changes to its abortion ban — and why they were made — had failed to have an impact across the state line. Three Democratic state representatives said they hadn’t heard of the new Texas guidance until ProPublica asked about it. “If there are things that are working in other states, we should be looking at that,” said one, Ashley Hudson, who has tried twice to pass broader exceptions. On her fourth morning in the hospital, Waldorf was sitting on the toilet when she felt something heavy fall. There was so much blood, she couldn’t see what it was. She thought it was the baby, but a nurse confirmed it was a blood clot, 3 inches across. Waldorf’s water had broken. All morning, she watched the amniotic fluid drain out of her. Now there was virtually no chance the fetus’s lungs would develop to reach the edge of viability in seven weeks. There was only the risk of infection, growing every passing hour. She was convinced that this meant the doctors would finally have to induce her to avoid infection. But after confirming that her fetus still had heart tones, the OB-GYN on duty, Dr. Britte Smith, said she couldn’t induce yet. First she’d need to consult the hospital’s risk-management team. “Oh,” Waldorf thought. “I’m a liability.” Smith returned about two hours later, Waldorf recalled, and told her she had two options: She could remain under observation at the hospital, or she could get into her car and drive nearly four hours to Kansas, a state with no abortion ban, where doctors could induce her. The hospital would not authorize a transfer or arrange to send her in an ambulance, and it offered no explanation for why. Medical records note that the risk-management team was consulted twice over the next 31 hours, and Smith wrote: “Since there is still a heartbeat and no signs of maternal infection, we can not proceed” with induction of labor. Smith did not respond to requests for comment. Waldorf called the maternal-fetal-medicine team at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science in Little Rock, the state’s only academic health center. The team told her standard treatment guidelines recommended that she be induced if she didn’t deliver within 12 to 24 hours because the risk for infection rises every hour. But they also said: “It can’t be done in Arkansas.” The hospital told ProPublica it could not comment on Waldorf’s experience. Waldorf’s sister, Elizabeth Rowe, had almost died of hemorrhaging during childbirth, so the family felt an hourslong drive to Kansas through rural roads without medical support was not an option. Waldorf’s family and friends were shocked she was running into so many obstacles. Her father, a gastroenterologist named Kenneth Rodgers, was baffled. “You don’t sit around and wait for somebody to become septic. You do whatever it takes to prevent them from becoming septic,” he said. “If I don’t do what’s medically indicated in a potentially life-threatening situation, then I am liable for neglect. Why isn’t this the same thing?” Her mother and stepfather were also outraged. “It’s inhumane,” her mother, Linda Quattlebaum, said. “I’m pro-life, but for the mother.” Her husband, Paul Quattlebaum, fumed, “If I took my dog to a vet and it had this problem, that dog would get better treatment.” The next morning, day five, 24 hours had gone by since Waldorf’s water broke. She texted a friend from college that her temperature had risen to 99.3 degrees. “What is next?” her friend, Lindsey Haire, wrote back. “Can they help you now?” “I think it has to be like 100.4,” Waldorf wrote. “They will continue to monitor my temp or my symptoms.” “Dear lord,” Haire responded. Waldorf had spelled out the catch-22 in her journal that morning: “If I need a blood transfusion and it stabilizes my condition, they cannot induce. If my temp continues to spike then they can induce.” When her sister, Rowe, walked in that morning, she found Waldorf with her eyes wide and glazed over, her jaw tensed. Justin slumped on the couch looking defeated. “Are they going to let me die?” Waldorf asked. Rowe had never seen her sister this way; Waldorf was always the calm and practical one when challenges arose. “That’s crazy,” Rowe said. “We’re in a hospital. People come to the hospital for them to save your life, not to let you die.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="501" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=752" alt="A close-up portrait of two women standing close together; the woman in the foreground looks off-camera with a soft expression, while the woman behind her closes her eyes gently with a peaceful smile." class="wp-image-80242" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM011_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1067 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> Elizabeth Rowe, left, and her sister, Emily Waldorf, at Waldorf’s office in Fayetteville, Arkansas Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica Some hospitals in states with abortion bans have taken steps to protect their patients. When Ohio was under a six-week ban in 2022 and 2023, a group of hospitals in one region gathered to hash out collective policies, including for miscarriages, said Dr. Justin Lappen, the chair of the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine’s committee on reproductive health. “Everyone at the same time thought the worst thing to do would be to have different practices,” he said. So they resolved to interpret the vague law the same way: PPROM qualified as a medical emergency. “There’s power in numbers,” he said. “If we are going to do something, we should do it together and be similar, because that also hopefully gives you legal protection.” But that’s far from the norm. A 2024 Senate Finance Committee report, commissioned in the wake of ProPublica’s reporting on Thurman’s death, found that many hospital leaders and lawyers have left doctors to fend for themselves and have at times remained “conspicuously and deliberately silent” on how to provide care for miscarriages under the bans. Physicians described hospital lawyers who “refused to meet” with them for months, were “pretty much impossible” to reach during “life or death” scenarios, and offered little help beyond “regurgitating” the law, according to the report. Information on how to handle the legal conflicts between the bans and federal law is usually not written down and, in some cases, is provided only on a “need-to-know” basis. ProPublica has also reported that hospitals in different regions of Texas took vastly different approaches to treating miscarriage — and that miscarrying patients were far more likely to get gravely ill where hospitals weren’t offering abortions without signs of infection. Many hospitals in abortion ban states will not even disclose their policy on PPROM to the public, ProPublica surveys have found. Of 10 hospitals with significant labor and delivery wards in Arkansas, only one responded to ProPublica’s questions. The University of Arkansas Medical Sciences shared its frequently asked questions on abortion policy that stated, in part, “Under Arkansas law, may an abortion be performed if the mother’s life is at risk? It depends.” Only abortions “necessary” to preserve a patient’s life are allowed, not ones that could prevent “possible” emergencies, according to the hospital’s general counsel. “Hospital leaders and institutional lawyers are basically interpreting these laws so conservatively, and so worried about a criminal charge, that they have forgotten about basic professionalism values of healthcare,” said Dr. Jody Steinauer, a professor of OB-GYN at the University of California, San Francisco who studies the impacts of abortion bans. In interviews with seven doctors who worked in Arkansas, all said that no hospitals allow doctors to provide abortions for patients with “inevitable miscarriage” or PPROM without signs of infection. Dr. Dina Epstein, an OB-GYN in Little Rock, said she and her colleagues see cases like Waldorf’s often. They are always excruciating. Her patients often panic and beg for help, but none have had the resources to travel to another state for care. Doctors at her hospital are left to negotiate among themselves over what counts as sick enough for them to act, Epstein said. “What organ needs to fail? What thing needs to happen that pushes us over the edge?” Many hospitals and doctors remain paralyzed, experts say, even though none have been prosecuted for treating a miscarriage with a procedure that would be considered an abortion. “It’s been five years, and people are still like: ‘I don’t know what we can do,’” said Ghazaleh Moayedi, a doctor in Texas who never stopped providing abortions for women facing miscarriages. “That’s willful ignorance at this point.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="364" width="752" data-id="80478" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?w=752" alt="A Texas Medical Board training slide presents a hypothetical case of a 34-year-old patient at 18 weeks with previable premature rupture of membranes, no labor and no signs of infection, and asks whether termination would be considered an abortion, whether there is a legal reason to delay medical intervention, and whether the case must be reported to the state." class="wp-image-80478" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg 2014w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=300,145 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=768,372 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=1024,496 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=1536,744 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=863,418 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=422,205 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=552,268 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=558,270 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=527,255 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=752,364 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=1149,557 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=2000,969 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=400,194 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=800,388 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=1200,582 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.03-PM_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_quality_95_embedColorProfile_true.jpg?resize=1600,775 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="364" width="752" data-id="80233" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?w=752" alt="A second slide from the Texas Medical Board presentation, outlining the answers to the legal questions posed in the previous slide. It says that termination would be considered an abortion but qualifies for an exception because of the danger to the mother, that there is no legal reason to delay treatment, and that the procedure should be reported to the state. " class="wp-image-80233" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png 2002w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=300,145 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=768,371 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=1024,495 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=1536,743 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=863,417 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=422,204 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=552,267 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=558,270 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=527,255 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=752,364 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=1149,556 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=2000,967 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=400,193 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=800,387 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=1200,580 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-04-29-at-3.32.09-PM.png?resize=1600,774 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> A case study included in the Texas Medical Board’s new mandatory training for OB-GYNs explains that an abortion can be performed when a patient has PPROM, a condition that leads to miscarriage, even if there is no sign of infection yet. Texas Medical Board Rowe wracked her brain for something, or someone, who might be able to help her sister. She began calling up private ambulance companies, but they would not agree to drive Waldorf because they considered her condition unstable. The cost of a medevac helicopter was in the tens of thousands of dollars. Rowe considered putting it on a credit card. Then it struck her. “Let’s call up Sarah,” Rowe said. The family didn’t personally know Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, but in their small-town Baptist circles, she felt only a degree away. Waldorf had gone to the same college, four years behind, and joined the same sorority, known as a social club, at Ouachita Baptist University. They had friends whose cousins had been in the governor’s wedding or had gone on vacation with her. One of those friends had even invited Waldorf to stay at a historic eight-room bed and breakfast with the governor during Ouachita’s annual alumni event in two weeks’ time. On Waldorf’s fifth day in the hospital, Rowe reached an aide in the governor’s office at 9:27 a.m., according to Waldorf’s journal. She tried to lay it on thick, telling the aide about the connections Waldorf and Sanders shared. “We recommend you seek legal advice,” the aide responded. “This is an emergency,” Rowe countered. “We need some help now!” The aide’s reply, according to Rowe: “What is it you expect the governor’s office to do?” The sisters had the law’s exception language pulled up on a phone. It defined a medical emergency as “a condition in which an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of a pregnant woman whose life is endangered by … a physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.” Waldorf’s case certainly counted, they argued, and they begged for someone to call the hospital and the attorney general’s office. The aide offered to learn more and call back, but the family says it never received another call. A friend also called the governor’s office twice and reached two different aides and got a similar response. ProPublica asked the governor’s office if Sanders was aware of the calls at the time, and if not, what her message would be to women facing this kind of situation. The spokesperson did not respond to the questions, but said: “Governor Sanders has prioritized not just the wellbeing of Arkansas’ unborn children but also at-risk kids and mothers.” A friend reached out to Molly Duane, at the time a senior attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, who was representing dozens of women denied medical care under abortion bans. Among them was Amanda Zurawski, a Texas woman who contracted sepsis and lost a fallopian tube in 2021 after doctors refused to induce her at 18 weeks pregnant in circumstances much like Waldorf’s. In response to that case, the Texas Supreme Court said PPROM should count as a medical emergency. When Duane received the call, she was confident she had the expertise and the data to fix any fear or misunderstanding the hospital might have. “This is not a hospital in the middle of nowhere,” Duane said, “This is the hospital where she works. Surely I can convince them that providing the standard of care is legal.” Her arguments made little headway. In a conversation with Andrew Cozart, the hospital’s director of risk management, and Thomas Olmstead, its general counsel, Olmstead told her, “We cannot rule out the possibility of an overzealous prosecutor,” she recalled. Duane sent Cozart evidence it would be a violation of medical standards and common understandings of the law’s exception if the hospital didn’t provide Waldorf an induction. ProPublica reviewed the letter Duane sent and reached out to Cozart and Olmstead, who did not respond to requests for comment. At 5 p.m., about an hour after the email was sent, Waldorf was getting out of the shower when the CEO of the hospital, Larry Shackelford, knocked on her door. “Let me put on some clothes first,” she told the nurse, flustered. Waldorf was used to seeing Shackelford addressing staff at the front of a conference room, polished in a suit and tie. But when he opened the door, he looked disheveled, like he had stood up from his desk and run down the hall. Waldorf and her husband recall him standing awkwardly at the foot of the bed as she looked at him with her arms crossed. “I feel like a ticking time bomb right now,” Waldorf told him. “I’ve been here for five days, and you guys have not done anything for me.” “I’m so sorry you’re in this situation,” the Waldorfs recalled Shackelford saying. “We’re going to take the very best care of you.” He didn’t say much else, except to repeat that she would get the best care, as if that was all he had been authorized to say. When he left, the couple was confused. Was Shackelford saying the hospital was finally going to allow an induction? Or was this a political visit meant to mollify them? Shackelford did not respond to a request for comment. But Large returned and told them the hospital’s decision hadn’t changed. “With positive fetal heart rate and no evidence of maternal distress/severe illness at this time unable to augment/induce labor to expedite delivery,” the doctor wrote in the medical records; she advised they should consider going home. Soon after, Washington Regional officials told Duane they would agree to transfer Waldorf to a hospital in Kansas, where abortion at her gestational stage was legal. Duane found a team at The University of Kansas Health System about four hours away. Before authorizing the transfer, though, Large told Waldorf she had to say specific words. “Repeat after me,” Large said, the Waldorfs and Rowe recall. “I no longer want to receive care here. I would like to transfer to another hospital with a higher level of care.” Waldorf repeated the words, and they were noted in her medical record. At 10:20 p.m., Waldorf was strapped into a five-point harness in the back of an ambulance and began the bumpy ride along rural roads. Her husband and sister followed behind, watching her anxiously through the window. Her arrival at the Kansas hospital felt nothing like what she had experienced in Arkansas, Waldorf wrote. Women in green scrubs and hairnets were lined up to greet her as her stretcher rolled out of the elevator. Their leader, Dr. Megan Thomas, spoke first. “We are so glad you made it,” she said. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="1128" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=752" alt="A hand holding a smartphone that displays a photo of a person's legs resting on a gurney inside an ambulance, wearing bright green hospital grip socks and facing the closed back doors." class="wp-image-80243" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1365,2048 1365w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,1295 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,633 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,828 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,837 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,791 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,1128 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,1724 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1067,1600 1067w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,1800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM030_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,2400 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> Waldorf took a picture inside the ambulance during her ride from Arkansas to Kansas to receive lifesaving medical care. Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica The University of Kansas hospital system was not always this helpful. Two years earlier, its legal team at a separate facility had blocked care to a woman named Mylissa Farmer for PPROM at 17 weeks, even though the state did not have a sweeping abortion ban. The Biden administration investigated the case as a violation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which it interpreted as dictating that hospitals must offer patients abortions in emergency situations, even if they are in states with bans. Federal investigators learned that The University of Kansas Health System officials had deemed the political climate “too hot and heated” to help Farmer, according to their report. The government cited the hospital for violating the law and threatened fines if the system didn’t correct issues that led to the denial of care. The hospital said Farmer’s care was in line with hospital policy, medical standards and the law based on the facts known at the time. The University of Kansas Health System has since become something of a beacon for women in Waldorf’s situation. It’s hard to see where that kind of accountability push would come from today. The Trump administration rescinded the Biden-era guidance pressing hospitals to offer emergency abortions and dropped the government’s related lawsuit. Republican lawmakers in states with bans haven’t introduced legislation to punish hospitals and physicians who fail to provide care, even though they often blame deaths and injuries under bans on malpractice and confusion. And state medical boards, which oversee the licensure of doctors, have not disciplined physicians reported to have refused to perform a medically necessary abortion during a miscarriage, including the doctors involved in Barnica’s, Zurawski’s and Farmer’s care. If the medical board in Arkansas could issue guidance about PPROM like the one put out in Texas, that would help enormously, doctors there told ProPublica. “It addresses the vagueness and all the specific questions we have as providers,” Epstein, the Little Rock doctor, said. Even the prominent anti-abortion advocacy group Americans United for Life told ProPublica it agreed with the Texas stance on treating previable PPROM. ProPublica asked the Arkansas Medical Board, the governor’s office and Republican lawmakers who sponsored the abortion ban if they planned to issue similar guidance. The Arkansas board told ProPublica the law is already clear enough. Medical boards in 18 other states that banned abortion either said they did not have plans to issue new guidance or did not respond to ProPublica’s questions. The governor’s office did not answer questions from ProPublica. In response to ProPublica’s questions, Mary Bentley, a Republican state representative and lead sponsor of the original ban, said she believes that the law does allow doctors to offer abortions to women with PPROM and that they do not need to wait for signs of infection. She said she is reaching out to the medical board to see if they can issue guidance similar to Texas’ and she would work toward more legislation if needed. “Medical decisions should not be made by lawyers,” she said. “We need to just clarify it for them better. The women of our state definitely deserve it.” One of the last levers of accountability is the courts. Abortion-rights groups, including Amplify Legal, where Molly Duane is now the litigation director, have sued at least 13 states over their laws, sometimes forcing clarifying statements from judges — though they’ve had limited impact so far. One lawyer in Texas has started filing malpractice lawsuits. Michelle Maloney represents 10 women or their families who allege doctors did not provide medical care that should have been considered legal under the abortion law’s medical emergency exception. “I think it is the most effective way to potentially make hospital systems do what they need to do to support doctors,” Maloney said. “If we can create some risk on the other side, hopefully we can motivate people to do the right thing.” Soon after Waldorf arrived at the Kansas hospital, she received misoprostol to induce labor and delivered around 1 p.m. She and Justin held their daughter for a few precious moments as her heartbeat stilled, marveling at her perfect tiny fingers and toes and whispering private words of love. They named her Bee, in honor of the interconnectedness of the natural world, and so they could see reminders of her each spring. Then the tenor in the room turned. Waldorf’s placenta was having trouble detaching. Blood kept gushing out, soaking the pads under her dark red. The nurse kept weighing them. “Is that a lot of blood?” Waldorf asked, her eyes locked with those of the nurse. “It’s a lot of blood,” the nurse replied. The monitor began beeping. Waldorf’s blood pressure was dangerously low. Justin saw his wife’s face turn white. Working in the intensive care unit, Waldorf had seen patients die with this exact combination of symptoms. “This is it,” she thought. A doctor reached elbow-deep into her uterus, trying to loosen the placenta. The team was about to take her to the operating room when he was finally able to detach it. Doctors said she lost a liter of blood and her complications were likely worse for having been forced to wait so long to deliver. Waldorf realized that if she had gone into labor at home or on the road, there was no way she would have made it to the hospital in time. In Waldorf’s medical record, the Kansas doctors stated the induction was performed “with the intent to preserve the life and health of the mother.” It included four dense paragraphs citing evidence of the high risks of sepsis and hemorrhage if the medical team waited to empty her uterus. Some hospitals in states with bans have provided similar prewritten language their physicians can use to remove ambiguity about why an abortion falls under an emergency exception. Washington Regional, which has not provided such guidance to its doctors, declined to comment on its policies. None of the doctors involved in Waldorf’s care at Washington Regional agreed to discuss the case. Back at home, Waldorf’s mother came to stay. Waldorf continued to bleed so much that she didn’t want to go out in public and suffered headaches for a week. In her journal, she unpacked her grief and rage. “It all feels quite like the Handmaid’s tale,” she wrote on Sept. 24. “I had to seek refuge, travel by ambulance across borders.” She and Justin had a hard time explaining to their daughter what had happened when she would ask when her little sister would arrive. They told her she wasn’t coming anymore, until the girl eventually stopped asking. Alumni weekend came around. Waldorf had canceled the stay at the bed-and-breakfast with the governor, but she decided seeing her community might be healing. At the opening event, the emcee announced that Sanders was in attendance and the audience rose to applaud. Waldorf stayed seated. So did her mother and stepfather, who had supported the governor for years. Her stepfather tore the Sanders bumper sticker off his car and made it known to local politicians what had happened. On Dec. 8, the night before she was scheduled to return to work, Waldorf found herself frantically cleaning her house and snapping at her daughter. The next morning, she could barely push herself out of the car. Walking into Washington Regional, she was flooded with memories of the days she had spent there as a patient, and of how her colleagues and the CEO had not been able to help her. A month later, she submitted her resignation letter. The decision made her feel lighter, she wrote. “Exhausted. Free.” She started her own physical therapy practice that spring, naming it Hive Therapy in honor of Bee. She estimates the lost income, startup debt and out-of-pocket medical costs from her ordeal at more than $147,000. Included in the tally was more than $5,000 for the ambulance ride to Kansas, which Washington Regional was unwilling to pay for. In a letter to Duane, the hospital’s general counsel, Thomas Olmstead, used Waldorf’s words against her — the words Large had asked her to repeat. The ambulance transfer happened because of Waldorf’s “specific request,” he wrote, and not because the attending physician believed that Waldorf needed a “higher level of care.” “It is simply not reasonable for you to make demand that WRMC assume responsibility for the cost of a patient-directed transfer,” he wrote. Olmstead has since been promoted to executive leadership. He did not respond to a request for comment. When reached for comment, Large would not speak about Waldorf’s case even though Waldorf had given her permission to. But, she said, “I am glad that the topic at hand is being discussed, because that’s incredibly important. I’m glad her voice is being heard.” The Arkansas Medical Board said it is not currently investigating any complaints against the doctors. Local lawyers have been unwilling to take on a malpractice case because Waldorf didn’t die or end up with permanent injuries. A year after leaving her job, in February 2026, Waldorf joined a lawsuit led by Duane, alongside an OB-GYN and five other women denied care under the Arkansas abortion law. It seeks to block the state’s ban on the grounds that it violates the state constitution; named as defendants are Sanders, the Arkansas attorney general, state prosecutors and members of the state medical board. The state is currently trying to get the case thrown out on jurisdictional grounds, and the governor’s office told ProPublica, “Governor Sanders looks forward to defending Arkansas’ pro-life laws in court.” Waldorf’s personal story and deep Arkansas roots seem to have grabbed the attention of people who don’t usually follow abortion policy. Boys she knew in college who she hasn’t talked to in 20 years reached out to say how upset they were to hear about her experience. A pastor she’d known since childhood defended her on Facebook against anti-abortion attacks. Friends who described themselves as “pro-life” have written long messages about how her story has sickened them and how they want the law changed. Waldorf said she hopes that sharing the details of her trauma may finally make a difference. But it hasn’t stopped her from reliving it all. Fayetteville is small. Barely a day goes by where she doesn’t bump into former co-workers from the hospital — at the grocery store or the coffee shop or school pick-up. Recently, she saw Large a few booths over at a local restaurant. Each run-in brings it all pouring back. The ultrasounds. The “risk management.” The blood, so much blood. But also, the state line. The relief she felt crossing it. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="1707" width="2560" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?w=2560" alt="A large stone and metal cross stands on an overlook at sunset, framing a silhouette of a young girl walking and a person looking out over the hazy skyline of Fayetteville below." class="wp-image-80245" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg 4558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260325-Flynn-Abortion-PPROM048.jpg?resize=1600,1067 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /> A girl walks past the cross atop Mount Sequoyah, a hilltop landmark and overlook above Fayetteville, Arkansas. Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica The post She Faced a Life-Threatening Miscarriage. Under Arkansas’ Abortion Ban, Even Calls to the Governor’s Office Didn’t Help. appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Kavitha Surana.
‘Threat to democracy’ – Indonesian filmmaker slams military crackdown on documentary
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Indonesian filmmaker says the crackdown by authorities on his West Papua documentary in some parts of the country is a threat to democracy. The Pesta Babi (Pig Feast) documentary looks at the social and environmental impacts of land seizures for big agri-business ventures in Papua — and
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Indonesian filmmaker says the crackdown by authorities on his West Papua documentary in some parts of the country is a threat to democracy. The Pesta Babi (Pig Feast) documentary looks at the social and environmental impacts of land seizures for big agri-business ventures in Papua — and the Indonesian military’s role in it. Since March, the film has had screenings in New Zealand and Australia, and is now showing in Indonesia, where it has sparked public interest — not just through its treatment of the subject, but because authorities are trying to ban it. READ MORE: Pesta Babi doco stirs West Papuan development debates and ‘crackdown’ Other Pesta Babi documentary reports ‘Public order’ The film’s director, Dandhy Laksono, said that Pesta Babi was showing at about 1700 cinemas around Indonesia. “We have recorded more than 30 incidents of the state apparatus stopping the screening — mostly by military, and then they are also using the civil servants — in the name of public order,” he explained. Laksono said there had been no public disorder from the film in parts where it had shown. “It’s ridiculous, and thanks to the audience they defend the film quite hard, and they defend their rights to to watch and to absorb the information, about what actually happened in West Papua. “I think compared to the subset of the public screening, the intervention or the intimidation is nothing in terms of numbers, but in terms of substance of democracy, that’s a real threat.” A screengrab from the documentary Pesta Babi showing clashes between the Indonesian security forces and indigenous West Papuans. Image: Pesta Babi screenshot/RNZ Pacific Interests disrupted Laksono’s previous documentary film, The End Game, about efforts to undermine anti-corruption activities in Indonesia, also faced shutdowns, but only a handful. Pesta Babi has touched even more of a nerve. “Because this film also talked directly about the military interest in West Papua, as well as the multinational corporation investment, so yeah, we assume that many interests is disrupted by this film. The director said the reception of many Indonesians showed the film had also opened eyes. “The most common thing is they [the audience] realise that the social media algorithm is never friendly for the Papuans, for the West Papuan issue, so they never have a chance to get the real situation in West Papua. “And even the mainstream media, Jakarta-based mainstream media, has never enough cover for West Papua, and of course, the international journalists cannot access the West Papua, so basically many people are blind from the current situation in West Papua.” Relatable across republic The film has resonated with Indonesian audiences, Laksono added, because what was happening in West Papua was relatable across the republic. “They comment about the proximity with their own problem in their own land, because the military now have more control under [Indonesian President] Prabowo’s administration and also the agrarian conflict with the land grabbing and environmental destruction for the investment. “So basically what happens in West Papua now is basically a common phenomenon in other places in Indonesia, but of course in West Papua we have more in terms of scale and in terms of level of the damage — but the essence is same, so they feel the proximity.” Laksono said the government had tended to use nationalism as a way to mischaracterise coverage of genuine West Papuan stories as a threat to the unitary Indonesian republic. But he said more people were now seeing through this kind of propaganda and the bid to hide the human rights, environmental and social issues in Papua. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by Pacific Media Watch.
Albuquerque Officials Take Steps to Curb Surge in Citations, Jail Stays Related to Homelessness
The post Albuquerque Officials Take Steps to Curb Surge in Citations, Jail Stays Related to Homelessness appeared first on ProPublica.
The Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where ProPublica found that the jail population of people marked “transient” or homeless surged to 12,000 in 2025 from 3,670 in 2022 Ramsay de Give for ProPublica Judges, state public defenders and city officials in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are taking steps to curb a cycle of missed court dates and arrest warrants for crimes related to living outside that has led to a county jail population that’s about half homeless. Eighteen months ago, judges in Bernalillo County, which includes Albuquerque, noticed an increase in charges related to homelessness — including for obstructing a sidewalk, unlawful camping and unlawful storage of personal property. They said they also saw that some people who received the citations didn’t have an address and were missing court dates. People living on the street often lack cellphones and permanent addresses, making it difficult for them to know when to appear in court. Missed court appearances can lead to warrants that — if the person encounters officers again — can land them in jail. Starting July 1, when Albuquerque police issue citations for nine offenses associated with homelessness, they will schedule related court appearances for Fridays, according to a memo issued by Presiding Criminal Division Judge Michelle Castillo Dowler. The judges anticipate that having a specific day each week for the city ordinance cases will lead to fewer people missing court dates and fewer warrants for failing to appear. Officials will also use the set hearings to attempt to address the problem in other ways. A caseworker and an attorney from the New Mexico Law Offices of the Public Defender will attend the Friday hearings. The public defender’s office is also working to have local treatment and service providers available outside the courtroom, said Dennica Torres, the district defender for the public defender’s office. “It’s like a one-stop shop on Fridays,” she said. Her office, the district attorney’s office and the courts have been working since last year to address the homelessness-related caseload. The city of Albuquerque has also set aside $200,000 for a city attorney or paralegal to assist with the Friday effort, Torres said. “We can’t simply just cycle vulnerable individuals through jail and back out on the street,” Mayor Tim Keller said at a recent news conference. “Both of those are not the right answer.” The changes come after ProPublica reported in March that under Keller’s tenure, charges have skyrocketed for ordinances related to living on the street. In 2025, people were charged 1,256 times for obstructing sidewalks, nearly six times the number of cases in the previous eight years combined; more than 3,000 trespassing charges were handed out, the highest for any year since 2017; and cases of unlawful camping increased to 704 from 113 the year before, according to previously unreported county data. Read More Albuquerque’s Mayor Said Arrests Were “Not the Solution” to Homelessness. Yet Jail Bookings Have Skyrocketed. Court data shows that charges for the nine offenses that will be part of the court’s Friday hearings continue to rise — from 579 between January and April of 2025 to 2,072 during the same period this year. (Judges did not include trespassing in the charges scheduled for Fridays.) ProPublica found the number of people at Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Detention Center who are designated as “transient” or homeless has soared in recent years, to nearly 12,000 in 2025, from 3,670 in 2022. Last week, nearly 53% of people booked at the jail were recorded as homeless. Keller did not respond to ProPublica’s questions or requests for comment. But he previously told the news organization that arrests and citations are not a solution to homelessness, which is a contentious issue in Albuquerque. While the city’s homeless population more than doubled from 2022 to 2025, the increase in homeless people jailed by the county more than tripled. Keller, who has been mayor since 2017, has responded by increasingly deploying city crews to clear encampments and also by ramping up enforcement of crimes related to being homeless. Keller previously defended the Albuquerque Police Department’s actions. “What we’re doing is following the letter of the law,” he said. “There are much more punitive things that I’m sure a lot of people would want, that we don’t do because they’re inappropriate.” The post Albuquerque Officials Take Steps to Curb Surge in Citations, Jail Stays Related to Homelessness appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Nicole Santa Cruz.
Double standards? Why Israel’s nukes get a ‘pass’ while Iran is scrutinised
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty
ANALYSIS: By Usaid Siddiqui For more than two decades, Iran’s nuclear programme has been subject to intense international scrutiny, sanctions and diplomatic negotiations. By contrast, while Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, an assertion it has consistently refused to deny or confirm, it faces little to almost no international pressure for transparency. Over
ANALYSIS: By Usaid Siddiqui For more than two decades, Iran’s nuclear programme has been subject to intense international scrutiny, sanctions and diplomatic negotiations. By contrast, while Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, an assertion it has consistently refused to deny or confirm, it faces little to almost no international pressure for transparency. Over the past 10 months, Israel and the United States have waged two wars on Iran, arguing without evidence that the country was on the verge of having the capacity to build a nuclear weapon. READ MORE: US drone shot down as tensions surge during peace talks Netanyahu: Wanted on an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes since 2024 Other US war/ceasefire on Iran reports These wars — the 12-day conflict in June last year and the recent month of fighting this year — have killed more than 3375 Iranians and plunged the world into an unprecedented energy crisis. This imbalance has prompted complaints by Iran of double standards, as well as by proponents of nuclear non-proliferation worldwide. The difference between the treatment of Iran and Israel is not only evident in international law frameworks such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), but also reflected in geopolitics and global power dynamics, observers say. So, what do we know about Israel’s nuclear arsenal, the scrutiny and debate around Iran’s nuclear programme, and why critics argue a double standard is at play when it comes to the threat posed by these two longtime foes? <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-125729 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Dimona-skyline-TOI-680wide.png" alt="Dimona's nuclear opacity" width="680" height="501" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Dimona-skyline-TOI-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Dimona-skyline-TOI-680wide-300x221.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Dimona-skyline-TOI-680wide-80x60.png 80w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Dimona-skyline-TOI-680wide-570x420.png 570w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Dimona’s nuclear opacity . . . critics argue a double standard is at play when it comes to the threat posed by these two longtime foes, Israel and Iran. Image: Moshe Shai/Flash90 What do we know about Israel’s nuclear weapons? It is an “open secret” that Israel is the only country in the Middle East which possesses nuclear weapons, despite it maintaining a decades-long opacity about the issue, observers say. When pressed on whether his country possessed nuclear capability or nuclear weapons during a 2018 exchange with former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “We have always said that we won’t be the first to introduce it, and we haven’t introduced it … It’s as good an answer as you will get.” Despite Israel’s lack of transparency about its nuclear programme, experts say the origins of it date back to the 1950s under founding Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, when Israel began developing nuclear capabilities with foreign assistance, notably from France. The Dimona nuclear facility in the Negev desert has long been suspected of producing plutonium for weapons. According to experts, Israel possesses an estimated 80 to 200 nuclear warheads, though exact figures remain unknown. The nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) . . . Iran is a signatory, Israel is not. Map: Al Jazeera/Creative Commons In 1986, Israel’s policy of secrecy was dealt a serious blow when Mordechai Vanunu, a technician at the Dimona facility, disclosed information and photographs from the reactor to the United Kingdom’s Sunday Times newspaper. He was later abducted by Israeli agents, tried in secret and spent 18 years in prison. Adding to the fog over its nuclear capabilities is Israel’s refusal to sign the NPT, which came into force in 1970, meaning it is not subject to the same international inspections as member states. The NPT is a global agreement designed to curb the spread of nuclear weapons, commit to nuclear disarmament, and encourage the peaceful use of nuclear energy. A total of 191 United Nations member states are signatories to the treaty, including Israel’s longtime adversary, Iran. Israel’s policy serves multiple purposes, according to analyst Shawn Rostker. “The logic is fairly straightforward: Ambiguity is meant to preserve deterrence while avoiding some of the diplomatic, legal and political costs that would come with an open declaration, especially given that Israel is not a party to the NPT and continues to sit outside that framework,” Rostker, an Astra fellow with the Constellation Institute, told Al Jazeera. The analyst said Israel was unlikely to join the NPT in the near future. “Israel’s position has been tied for decades to its regional security environment, and there is little sign that it sees strategic benefit in giving up ambiguity or joining the NPT,” Rostker said. “A real shift would probably require a much broader regional security arrangement, potentially tied to a Middle East WMD-free zone or a major change in the threat environment, not outside pressure alone,” he added. What do we know about Iran’s nuclear programme? Iran’s nuclear programme began in the 1950s under former leader Reza Shah Pahlavi, with US support, but expanded significantly after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Iran, which remains a signatory to the NPT, has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only, such as energy production and medical use. In 1974, it signed a comprehensive safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and in the decades since then, both under the former shah and under the Islamic Republic, it has been regularly monitored by the UN agency. Iran also joined the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015 along with the US and other nations, under which Iran agreed to restrict the enrichment of uranium and to be subject to inspections by the IAEA. Key provisions of that agreement included: Capping uranium enrichment at 3.67 percent for 15 years, levels unsuitable for nuclear weapons Reducing centrifuge numbers Allowing extensive monitoring by international inspectors, such as the IAEA, including 25 years of monitoring of Iran’s uranium mills and mines Also under the JCPOA, inspectors from the IAEA — who had already been in Iran monitoring its nuclear programme — began daily inspections of the country’s facilities to ensure that Tehran stuck by its commitments. It did, they found. The US, under President Donald Trump, withdrew from the agreement in 2018, despite the IAEA saying Iran had complied with the agreement up to that point. Iran nevertheless continued to adhere to its JCPOA commitments for one year after the US exited the deal, according to the IAEA, before restarting heightened levels of enrichment. Indeed, the US argument for why Iran represents a nuclear weapons threat — that it holds 400kg of 60 percent enriched uranium — is based on an IAEA report from 2025, underscoring how the UN agency has far greater visibility into Iran’s nuclear programme than the world has into Israel’s. Uranium needs to be enriched to levels higher than 90 percent for it to become weapons-grade. The removal of this 60 percent-enriched uranium has been one of the US’s key demands during talks with Iran. While the US and Israel have targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities during the 12-day war in 2025 and the most recent strikes this year and claim to have destroyed a large part of them, this map shows what we know of the positions of Iran’s nuclear facilities up to this year: Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. Map: Al Jazeera/Creative Commons What proof is there that Iran has the capacity to build nuclear weapons? While Israel and the US have claimed for some time that Iran is close to building nuclear weapons, they have not offered any meaningful proof. In fact, in March 2025, Tulsi Gabbard, then US director of national intelligence (she has since resigned), testified to Congress that the US “continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorised the nuclear weapons programme he suspended in 2003”. Iran has long maintained that it has no plans to build a nuclear weapon. In 2003, then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli attacks on Tehran on February 28, publicly announced prohibiting the pursuit of such a weapon, saying it was against Islamic law. After the US and Israel launched their latest war on Iran on February 28, Gabbard, in a new testimony before Congress, said the US intelligence community did not believe that Iran had resumed its nuclear programme after the bombings of June 2025. Are different standards being applied to Israel and Iran over nuclear weapons? Palestinian analyst Ahmed Najar is one of many experts who say there is “clearly a double standard” in how Israel’s nuclear programme is treated compared with Iran’s, arguing that politics rather than international norms is what drives this. In his view, Israel has been granted an exemption from the global non-proliferation regime because of its role as a Western-aligned power in the Middle East, while Iran’s status as a perceived “foe” invites maximum pressure. “In that sense, international norms are applied selectively — rigorously enforced in some cases, and quietly set aside in others.” Beyond the political double standard, Najar argues that Israel’s longstanding policy of “nuclear ambiguity” raises deeper concerns about transparency amid the “opacity of Israel’s nuclear doctrine itself”. “There is ambiguity not only around capability, but around thresholds for use — and that exists without the accountability mechanisms applied elsewhere,” he added. Najar said he is pessimistic about the prospects of any change to this approach, without a “broader transformation” of international politics and power dynamics. “As long as strategic interests take precedence over consistent application of international law, Israel’s nuclear posture is likely to remain largely shielded from scrutiny,” he said. Usaid Siddiqui is a reporter with the Al Jazeera Live News team, writing news and features with a focus on foreign policy issues across several regions including South Asia, the Middle East and the United States. He has a Masters in International Relations from the University of Sussex. This article was first published by Al Jazeera. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4
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Tuesday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast - HD This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4 and was authored by Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4.
Lawmakers Ask DOJ Watchdog to Investigate Alleged Drugs-for-Votes Scheme After ProPublica Report
The post Lawmakers Ask DOJ Watchdog to Investigate Alleged Drugs-for-Votes Scheme After ProPublica Report appeared first on ProPublica.
Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera, a Democrat Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images Puerto Rico’s representative in Congress and four other members of the House of Representatives have asked the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General to investigate why a federal probe into a prison drugs-for-votes scheme was abandoned after the 2024 elections. “Credible allegations of election fraud uncovered through federal investigative work warrant serious scrutiny and transparent explanation,” the members of Congress wrote in the May 20 letter, adding that it was essential for “public confidence in democratic institutions” that such claims are handled consistently, “regardless of the political actors involved.” The letter was signed by Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera, a Democrat and member of Puerto Rico’s Popular Democratic Party, as well as Reps. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Oversight Committee; Nydia Velázquez, D-N.Y.; Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; and Jesús “Chuy” García, D-Ill., a member of the House Judiciary Committee. Their request follows a ProPublica investigation that published earlier this month detailing how prosecutors had uncovered a drugs-for-votes scheme being run by a violent gang in Puerto Rican prisons and were deep into looking at whether now-Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón or her campaign were involved. In the days following President Donald Trump’s election in 2024, as prosecutors prepared the indictment, they were told by supervisors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico to exclude the voting-related charges against inmates and prison staff, four sources with knowledge of the investigation told ProPublica. Then, once Trump took office, they were told to abandon the probe into potential political ties entirely, the sources said. In their letter, the members of Congress urged the inspector general to examine the Justice Department’s decision to not pursue charges related to election fraud “despite reported findings and evidence.” They added that the failure to further investigate contradicts the Trump administration’s “repeated emphasis on prioritizing election integrity and election security as federal enforcement priorities,” in addition to deeming drug traffickers threats to public safety and democratic institutions. Initially, Hernández Rivera sought a House Judiciary Committee investigation into the issue but then decided the inspector general’s office would be a better avenue. “This has always been about following the facts and ensuring there is accountability,” he said in an email to ProPublica. “Given the concerns raised about the DOJ’s handling of the investigation and prosecutorial decisions, we believe an Inspector General review is the appropriate mechanism to independently examine what occurred and whether standards were applied consistently.” The letter was addressed to Don Berthiaume, who had been serving as acting inspector general and has been nominated for the position. While his confirmation is pending, William Blier, the deputy inspector general, is leading the office. The inspector general’s office has jurisdiction over misconduct by Justice Department employees, including the Bureau of Prisons, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. However, it does not oversee allegations of attorney misconduct, which are handled by the Office of Professional Responsibility, unless the allegations include criminal behavior. The inspector general’s office declined to comment on the letter. González-Colón, a longtime Republican and member of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, has declined repeated requests for interviews by ProPublica. In a previous statement, she denied any wrongdoing and said she “has stood firmly against corruption” throughout her career and political campaigns. “I categorically reject any attempt to link me to unlawful conduct,” she said. She also told local news outlets she didn’t think any investigation into the matter is warranted. González-Colón has not been charged with any crime. Read More Prosecutors Had a Drugs-for-Votes Scheme “Locked Up.” Under Trump, They Were Told Not to Pursue Charges. An indictment filed in December 2024, while Joe Biden was still president, charged 34 members of a gang, known as Group 31 or Los Tiburones, and associates with crimes including drug distribution resulting in at least four overdose deaths. The indictment also alleged that the gang connected with government officials “for the purpose of reducing prison sentences” and told inmates “who to vote for in primary and general elections.” But the indictment included no charges related to the drugs-for-votes scheme. Sources familiar with the investigation said gang leaders forced inmates to vote for González-Colón or face brutal beatings, or be cut off from the drugs they were addicted to. Prosecutors said they had evidence that González-Colón had spoken with one of the prison gang leaders on WhatsApp during the primary campaign and were pursuing other potential ties when they were instructed not to look any further, people with knowledge of the investigation told ProPublica. W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, said his office does not comment on open cases. While a couple of defendants have made plea agreements, most of the cases are still pending. A spokesperson for his office, Lymarie Llovet-Ayala, told ProPublica in a previous email that charging corrupt public officials “has always been and remains a top priority” of the office. The post Lawmakers Ask DOJ Watchdog to Investigate Alleged Drugs-for-Votes Scheme After ProPublica Report appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Raquel Rutledge.
They Say They Downed 5,000 Russian Drones In 5 Months: Meet Ukraine’s Anti-Drone Police
‘I need Chevron’: The oil company at the center of the California governor’s race
California is trying to phase out fossil fuels, but it still needs gas. That makes for messy politics.
When it comes to California’s climate future, the most important figure in the state’s chaotic governor’s race may not be any of the candidates on the debate stage. It may not even be outgoing governor Gavin Newsom, or President Donald Trump. Instead, it might just be Chevron, the multinational oil company that was founded in the Golden State more than 100 years ago. It is among the largest producers, refiners, and sellers of petroleum products in a state rapidly shifting toward electric vehicles. Depending on which candidate is talking, the company is an example of how Big Oil is strangling consumers or an example of how climate regulations are strangling the state economy. The behemoth — it reported $12.3 billion in profit last year — took the spotlight last month when an interviewer asked leading Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra about Chevron’s contributions to his campaign. The former state attorney general and Biden-era health secretary gave what seemed to be a candid response: “Chevron, that’s the problem with politics. They’re not the bad guy. Does everybody here drive an electric vehicle? You need Chevron. I need Chevron. My people of the state of California need Chevron … Chevron wants to give me a check, that’s — that’s their prerogative.” The phrase “I need Chevron” soon appeared in anti-Becerra videos by the likes of climate hawk Jane Fonda, implying that the candidate was saying he needs Chevron to get elected. Progressive billionaire Tom Steyer, Becerra’s lead Democratic opponent, urged him to return the contribution and said he is “doing [the] bidding” of Big Oil. Representative Katie Porter, another leading Democrat, said in a statement that she “hasn’t made millions off Big Oil or taken their checks.” Becerra is not entirely wrong. California consumes around 13 billion gallons of gasoline annually, all of it specifically formulated to meet the state’s stringent clean air standards. Most of it comes from just six refineries, and Chevron owns two that account for one-third of the state’s production. That gives the company and its peers tremendous leverage. But California’s gas consumption has declined by about 15 percent from a peak in 2004 due to improved fuel economy in conventional vehicles and growing adoption of electric vehicles. It could fall by half over the next two decades. The primary is June 2. The challenge for the next governor will be to continue the energy transition while retaining the infrastructure needed to move and refine oil. This has never been accomplished in a place as large as California, which was the world’s fifth-largest economy in 2025. The risks are tremendous: If the state moves too quickly, it could create shortages and price spikes for drivers already paying the highest prices in the country. If it moves too slowly, it could lock in decades of air pollution and hinder global climate progress. “It’s messy,” said Emily Grubert. She is a civil engineer and sociologist at Notre Dame who has studied fossil fuel transitions and advised the state government on oil infrastructure. “As soon as you realize that actually transitioning away from fossil fuels means you have to close things, people get really freaked out.” Newsom spent much of his governorship going after Big Oil, an effort that included a series of executive actions to restrict fracking in Kern County oil fields. When the war in Ukraine sent gas prices surging, Newsom and Democrats in the Legislature passed a series of bills to stop what he called “price gouging.” These laws empowered a new oil-focused watchdog agency, created a tool that could impose refinery price caps, and required refineries to maintain certain storage reserves, all of which cut profit margins for Chevron and others. The new refinery rules added to multiple carbon taxes that make selling gasoline in California more expensive. However, there is some evidence refiners have overcharged Californians. Even after accounting for state taxes, environmental fees, and production costs, a gap remains between gas prices in the Golden State and everywhere else. This gap appeared in 2015 after a refinery fire in Torrance and has come to be known as the “mystery gasoline surcharge.” It now averages about $1. Last fall, a state regulator concluded that refiners’ monopoly power may be the reason for the price spikes. Oil companies accused Newsom of trying to regulate them out of existence, and many threatened to leave. Two major refiners, Wilmington and Benicia, announced last year that they would close their operations, forcing a state that already imports about 60 percent of its oil to rely on imports of gasoline refined in Asia. Chevron relocated its corporate headquarters from the San Francisco suburb of San Ramon to Houston in 2024, and it has delivered a series of ominous warnings this year as climate regulators have revised the state’s almost 15-year-old carbon tax. “The proposed regulation will cripple the survivability of the state’s remaining refineries, which will result in California losing the entire industry,” Andy Walls, the president of Chevron’s refinery business, wrote in an open letter to Newsom in March. The implication was clear: unless you relax your regulations, we will leave the state and strand you without gasoline. That would mean paying Asian refiners to produce more of the state’s specific blend, at significant cost. The Newsom administration spent much of 2025 trying to work out a grand bargain with the industry. The Legislature eased rules governing drilling in Kern County oil fields, helping maintain a stable supply of crude to refineries, It also delayed implementing a refinery profit cap, and allowed the temporary sale of gasoline with higher concentrations of ethanol. The state’s climate regulator has also suggested giving refineries free allowances under the state’s cap-and-trade system, even if it means less money for big projects like high-speed rail and sustainable housing. The idea is to give investors enough certainty that they’re willing to remain in California even as the state uses less gasoline. Experts believe it will take a lot more than that to manage inevitable changes. “You actually can’t have a smooth and safe and effective transition without some form of coordinating function for that decline,” said Grubert. She believes a degree of state ownership of refineries will be necessary to keep facilities open if they stop being profitable. The wrong approach, she says, would be to respond to each potential a refinery closure with ad hoc subsidies and state support, since that would allow refiners to extort the state one by one. That point was reinforced this month by a report from the California Energy Commission that has not received much notice. The analysis of the state’s shaky fuel system found that “California cannot sustainably manage this transition through repeated crisis interventions at an asset-by-asset level.” It suggested options that included “legal obligations to operate,” “centralized planning of closures,” and “direct state management or ownership of assets.” The Iran war will accelerate a decline in both the supply of, and demand for, oil. Gas retailers like Chevron are already struggling to find additional imports of refined fuel, and some experts predict shortages if the Strait of Hormuz does not open within weeks. Meanwhile, electric vehicles continue gaining market share, and Newsom plans to roll out subsidies for them this year. Wider adoption of these vehicles, and hybrids, will further crimp demand, making any remaining refineries more likely to shutter. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/california-governor-race-becerra-chevron-gas-prices-refineries-oil-Kern-County.jpeg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="Dozens of oil pumpjacks are seen at the Kern River Oil Field in Bakersfield, California." data-caption="Chevron’s Kern River Oil Field near Bakersfield is one of the largest oil fields in California. The state’s climate policies have helped reduce gasoline demand by more than 15 percent over the past decade. " data-credit="Mark Ralston / AFP via Getty Images"/> Chevron’s Kern River Oil Field near Bakersfield is one of the largest oil fields in California. The state’s climate policies have helped reduce gasoline demand by more than 15 percent over the past decade. Mark Ralston / AFP via Getty Images All of this helps explain the showdown between the leading Democrats in the governor’s race, who are each trying to find a lane in a field that at one time included more than 50 candidates. Becerra has given lip service to clean energy, but many public statements suggest a friendliness toward oil producers. As attorney general, he initiated a few lawsuits against petroleum companies, and supported other state climate lawsuits, but punted on major investigations. He has focused his gubernatorial campaign on vows to fight Donald Trump and protect healthcare, and has made controversial promises to freeze utility and insurance rates. On decarbonization, he has noted that “climate action only succeeds if it is affordable, reliable, and fair.” After the chaos of the early primary, many oil producers have decided that Becerra is their candidate. Chevron last month contributed the maximum allowable amount of $39,200 to his campaign, the first time in a decade it has backed a gubernatorial candidate. Last week, the <a href="http://after%20the%20chaos%20of%20the%20early%20primary,%20many%20oil%20producers%20have%20decided%20that%20becerra%20is%20their%20candidate.%20chevron%20last%20month%20contributed%20the%20maximum%20allowable%20amount%20of%20$39,200%20to%20his%20campaign,%20the%20first%20time%20in%20a%20decade%20it%20has%20backed%20a%20gubernatorial%20candidate.%20last%20week,%20the%20company%20contributed%20another%20$500,000%20to%20an%20independent%20political%20committee%20supporting%20becerra.%20california%20resources%20corporation,%20the%20state%E2%80%99s%20largest%20driller,%20also%20gave%20$500,000%20to%20a%20becerra%20committee.%20and%20gas%20companies%20like%20sempra%20are%20among%20the%20donors%20to%20an%20anti-steyer%20political%20committee%20that%20has%20raised%20more%20than%20$24%20million./">company contributed another $500,000 to an independent political committee supporting Becerra. California Resources Corporation, the state’s largest driller, also gave $500,000 to a Becerra committee. And gas companies like Sempra are among the donors to an anti-Steyer political committee that has raised more than $24 million. Steyer, meanwhile, has made attacking Big Oil the focus of his campaign, as it was during his 2020 presidential run. He says he would lower gas prices by activating the refining profit cap that Newsom has declined to use, investigating what is causing high gas prices (something the state has already done), and taxing private jet fuel. When refineries “inevitably” close, he says he will stockpile an oil reserve and import more refined fuel for as long as California needs it. Steyer has also had to address his own fossil fuel ties. The hedge fund he founded, Farallon Capital, remains a major player in coal power finance abroad, including in Indonesia and Australia. Steyer still holds a stake in the firm, which he left in 2012, but his campaign says he no longer receives dividends from its fossil fuel investments. California uses a “jungle primary” in which the top two candidates advance to the general election, regardless of party. The latest poll shows Becerra essentially tied with former Fox News host Steve Hilton, a Republican, with Steyer trailing at around 15 percent. The most likely outcome is that one of Becerra or Steyer will make it to the general election. (The other Democrats, including Porter and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, trail behind in the double digits.) Railing against Big Oil has long proven to be good politics in California. But in the wake of Trump’s second election victory, Democrats have sought to downplay climate issues and focus instead on affordability. The question in the governor’s race is how best to achieve that in the long run. Is it better to use a bully pulpit against companies like Chevron in an effort to break their market power, or conciliate them in the hope that they don’t flee? Mike Madrid, a veteran California political operative, believes Becerra’s approach will resonate more with the young and Latinos, both of whom often decide statewide elections. “This attack on Chevron, it works for the base Steyer already has,” he said. “Young Latino working-class men are the demographic most affected by gas prices. Do you think they’re saying we need to get rid of Chevron? Of course not.” Steyer’s campaign may not get him over the line in the primary, but he has at least been consistent. In a 2013 blog post for this very publication, he celebrated the result of the Virginia governor’s race, where a climate-focused Democrat beat a fossil-fuel friendly Republican with help from Steyer’s own war chest. “A new political dynamic is emerging,” he wrote at the time. “Climate change is a winner, not a loser,” and is “no longer electoral Kryptonite.” If Chevron has its way, next week’s primary results will prove otherwise. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline ‘I need Chevron’: The oil company at the center of the California governor’s race on May 26, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Jake Bittle.
Israeli Authorities’ Disregard for International Law
KUDSI ERGUNER (live in the streets of Istanbul)
Musician Greg Mendez on the problem with being comfortable
Where are some places that you get inspiration?
Where are some places that you get inspiration? I’ll be walking or driving, or sometimes I’ll even be in a conversation with other people, and all of a sudden I’ll be like, “Oh wait,” and I won’t be, like, rude about it, but one part of my mind will be trying to keep that in there and the other part will be engaging in what’s going on. That happens a lot. I definitely watch a lot of movies and I’ve been reading more recently. I went through a period of time where I couldn’t finish a book for years and that was kind of depressing, but I think I’ve read like three or four books this year already, so that’s cool. It is less overwhelming than it used to feel to read a book. Sometimes I’ll just do it a little bit at a time. I just finished a 500 page book that I thought I couldn’t. When you’re writing a song, where do your songs start from? Do you have a melody first or a lyric first? Almost 100 percent of the time I start with a melody or chords, where there’s a melody that I hear in it. I don’t know if I’ve ever written a song lyric first. Usually I’m kind of in phases with it, where I’ll have a bunch of ideas for melodies and/or chord progressions and I’ll just come up with a bunch of those and then I’ll go through a lyric writing phase where I’m more just like writing words to these things. But I always need to do the words more like a puzzle. I feel like I’m not very good at writing just free-form. When I have a melody, it’s like the syllables are already there and I just fit the words to it like puzzle pieces, like, “Oh, this vowel sounds good there,” and that’ll kind of like influence what the words are. Or if I’m like, “Yeah, I like this lyric, but I don’t actually like how it sounds when it’s sung with that melody,” then that can’t be the lyric. Do you run into creative blocks. Or once you get going do you have momentum? I think it comes in fits and starts. In the past I thought about them as creative blocks, but I don’t really think about it like that anymore. I just think about it as a season. That’s okay. When you have those moments, do you ever bounce things off other people or do you just try to push through it? Sometimes I just do something else. I’m kind of going through one of those right now but I’m still playing music just for fun. I’ll go to the studio space and just play guitar or keyboard and come up with some stuff. I’ll record a little voice memo of a melody. I can’t write a single word right now, which is okay. I just feel like there’s nothing in there. It can be frustrating, because I like the feeling of making something, but it’s not fair of me to be down on myself just because I can’t do something I like, in the moment I want to do it. What do you think it was about the last record that connected with so many people? I honestly wish I could say. I feel like it could have been any number of things really. The way the songs were done was the most front and center of anything I’d done. With other previous records, I feel like I was cloaking things in a way, that I was less sure of the songs so the sound had to be blanketing it a little bit, or the lyrics had to be a little bit more like obscure so I wasn’t embarrassed or whatever. And I think on the last record, it was just naked, and maybe that has something to do with it. With the new record on a bigger label, did you change your process at all or did you approach it the same? There were definitely some suggestions like, do you want to work with this or that producer. And it would have been encouraged if I was like, “Oh, I’m going to go into a nice studio or work with a producer.” I intentionally decided not to do that for a couple of reasons. One of them being, I feel like I have honed this way of doing it for so long without those options and I’m just not sure if my home-baked skill set would come through in a more professional setting, where you’re paying for time. I wanted to be comfortable doing it and I tried to be in the same mindset of following what I liked and what felt true to me, and what was hitting me emotionally. But I do think on a psychological level it was different just because of the different circumstances. I find working with limitations to be really useful, even time limitations. I just feel sharper that way. I think a lot of creative people run into the problem of working from home and not knowing when to stop. You mentioned recently that you moved your music studio out of your house. When did you decide to do that, and what compelled you to separate church and state? My friends have a studio in this space, and my friend Evan always helps me engineer the drums at his studio. A room opened up there, and it was room number nine, which is kind of my lucky number. It was always my number in sports when I was a kid. This room was pretty affordable, and my wife, V, had been kind of pushing me to move the studio out of the house for basically the entire duration of recording this last record. You know, we have like a two-bedroom apartment but it’s pretty small and I would have to only really use it when she wasn’t at home, because anything that was going on in the apartment would come through in the mics. It was harder for me to work on stuff but also it made it harder for me to not work on stuff. I could take like five steps and be sucked back into this thing. I’ve been going to the new spot every day, and just having a little half-hour commute and a whole different space for my work has been putting me in a better mindset, where home feels like home and that feels like the place to go work. What do you think are the most essential elements, or most essential resources, for you to have a successful day of making stuff? I think it’s mostly my mindset. Like if I’m feeling bad or anxious or depressed or hungry or tired. If anything else is kind of clogging up my brain, it’s not going to go as well. And it’s not that I don’t do it if I’m feeling any of those things, but generally the times when I feel like everything is going really well, I come in to the studio and I’m ready for it to go well and I’m excited about it. I don’t think I’ve figured out how to really create those ideal conditions besides that it helps if I’m well-rested, if I’ve eaten good, that kind of stuff. But that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be good. It’s just kind of luck of the draw, I guess. What does it mean to be successful as a musician in 2026—say, a year passes, you look back and you’re like, “All right, that was a successful year.” What would that involve? Being able to keep doing what I do without having to do anything I really don’t want to do. I think I’ve done [that]. I think the record’s good. I think I believe in it. I don’t think I want to listen to it right now, but I stand by it. The rest of it’s kind of none of my business. Do you have any pressure from any of your team asking you to post more on social media or do more to promote? How do you deal with that aspect of the music industry at this point? I kind of just don’t do it if I don’t want to do it, I guess. But yeah, there’s definitely more pressure. I had none before, besides my own pressure. But it just makes me feel bad to be on social media. And I’m addicted to it, as far as like, I’m addicted to my phone. Sometimes I’ll find myself like scrolling on it without even realizing I’m doing it. I don’t want to be part of that. I want to be a part of that noise as little as possible. You’re making a lot of really horrible people a lot of money by posting on social media, you know, even though there’s a sense where it’s helping you, too. I had this realization recently that anytime you’re on your phone, you’re at work [for them]. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, you are generating wealth for these people who are destroying the world getting everybody addicted to it, and we think of it as leisure. Like, oh yeah I’m just scrolling on Instagram. And they’re collecting data and seeing how long you look at something, whether you like something, whether you’re engaging with it, and selling that information. So I want to clock into that as little as possible. You know, I don’t knock anybody for being really active that because it’s fucking hard out here to be an artist but I just want to find a balance where I’m not yelling into this void and trying to convince people to listen to the music I make. I also like want to be making as little money for these people as possible. I want to be clocked out of that unpaid job as much as possible. There’s power in doing less. I think that people also like to feel like they’re like finding art for themselves. They appreciate it more when they feel like that. There is something to letting people find it themselves, for sure. And it also just makes me feel bad because you’re constantly like, “oh, this post didn’t do that well.” I just don’t want that to be on my mind. It’s like counterproductive for what I’m actually trying to do to have that be such a big part of my life. I was listening to the new record today when I was walking my dog and I was thinking how it sounds so intimate. When you were being interviewed at the show, the interviewer said something about how you have a gentleness in your work. I can see that. It also feels like, “Hey this person’s singing to me.” It’s big music, but on a very intimate scale. Can you imagine working in a different way where, for example, you might tour with a full band? I did one time. We did this full band record called & Gum Trash in 2018, where the songs were from like 2015 that were mostly on this thing called Phone Records. I got my first smartphone and recorded a bunch of songs in the Garage Band app like a psycho and I don’t think they were that good. But we did one tour like that in 2018 and I think it felt cool, I liked the people. I thought it was fun, but I also felt like I was kind of trying to be somebody else in a way. Something about the songs got lost in the loudness, almost, and I could imagine [playing with a full band] again in a different way, maybe, where it’s more catered to being quieter. But I think I also just struggled because it was definitely like, it felt like a rock band, and I’m not a rock front man, as much as I always wanted to be. Do you find that you’re in a better mood, or feel better in general, mentally and physically when you are making work? Does doing the work put you in a better a better space? It can, yeah. It can put me in a worse space, too, depending. I feel like I experience it all in the process. I think that feeling all of it is important, too. If I made something without any sort of struggle, I’m not sure it would be satisfying. I think struggle is good, in a sense. I think that comes through in the music. You can tell. There’s a lot of truth to that—coasting is not the way to go. Yeah. It’s like diminishing returns if you don’t push yourself and you keep doing what you’re comfortable doing. Like, yeah, maybe you’ll be happy with the first one and then you make another thing, and it’s like doing drugs or something. Like the first one gets you high, the second one’s like, “Well, that didn’t make me feel as good as the last one.” If I was really comfortable, I probably wouldn’t feel the need to make anything at all. I would just sit on the couch and be content. Greg Mendez recommends Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston The NOFX autobiography (even if you don’t like the band) Webb Chapel - Vernon Manner The first two Hunger Games movies Gray Matter - Food For Thought This content originally appeared on The Creative Independent and was authored by Brandon Stosuy.
Another Memorial Day: boasts, insults, "self-defense strikes," cheap clichés from a Secretary of War Crimes prattling about dead boys "delivered from the battlefield into the arms of a loving Lord and savior." Spare us. And maybe revisit the war to en...
Another Memorial Day: boasts, insults, "self-defense strikes," cheap clichés from a Secretary of War Crimes prattling about dead boys "delivered from the battlefield into the arms of a loving Lord and savior." Spare us. And maybe revisit the war to end all wars, which didn't - its "infinity of waste" and trenches with skulls in the sides where "he who had a corpse to stand on was lucky." Pat Barker: “A society that devours its own young deserves (no) unquestioning allegiance.” "Happy Memorial Day to all," babbled our ever-unseemly Idiot-In-Chief, "including the Dumocrats, who disrespect our Military and all of the tremendous success that it has had over the last year," because obviously the best way to honor the dead is to not acknowledge their sacrifice but to insult half the country they died defending. Also, at Arlington National Cemetery, "Wherever the American soldier (falls), he does it for the destiny of a nation like no other - there’s never been anybody like you." Also, 18,000 Williams, over 20,000 Johns, and other names fell, but "not too many" Donalds. Huh. Adding to the day's eloquence with "a monster truck rally vibe" was non-veteran, Hegseth bestie, and tawdry aging rock star Kid Rock. Because "Tokyo Rose wasn't available," he was chosen by the Pentagon to honor American service members' ultimate sacrifice in a hoodie, fedora, gold chain and sunglasses, looking like "a creature you’d expect to hiss at you from the dank depths of a garbage bin." "We are remembering the sacrifice and service of so many who are not with us today," he noted. "It’s a special day. We’re thinking of them... Keep on Kid Rocking in the free world." Then there was blood-lusting, dime-store-cliché-spouting Christo-fascist Pete Hegseth urging we "remember our republic was forged and purchased with blood, American blood," evidently only male. He declaimed "the sacred names of bygone eras to the 13 souls of Epic Fury (who) answered the call when it mattered the most (and) gave the last full measure of devotion," even when he failed them in an Iranian strike in Yemen: "They stood against the darkness of the world wearing the breastplate of righteousness (and) raced to the brink so we could walk in freedom and prosperity (and) may almighty God bless our warriors." It remains unclear how many of the up to 22 million dead, both military and civilian, and over 20 million wounded, "the butcher's bill" of World War One, came to be blessed by almighty God, especially in its Western Front's godforsaken trenches teeming with sludge, rats, mud, blood, water and disease. The war's "inconceivable loss" and "purposeless waste of a generation" is perhaps best exemplified by the Battle of Verdun, where the French, set upon by German forces, adopted a "They Shall Not Pass” mantra that in the end saw over 700,000 dead on both sides - ultimately, vast "heaps of bones." For many, the horrors of "the greatest conflagration the world had seen" live on through the searing literature, both prose and poetry, that emerged from them. Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum Est epitomizes the bitter, bloody tone that often prevailed amidst its "guttering, choking, drowning" victims - Hegseth's benighted "warriors." "Bent double, like old beggars under sacks/ Knock-kneed, coughing like hags," cursing, gargling, limping bootless through sludge, "blood-shod...deaf even to the hoots/Of gas-shells dropping softly behind," they reject, "The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est/Pro patria mori." Siegfried Sassoon lived the privileged life of a British country gentleman, writing poetry and fox hunting, until the start of World War 1, when he served as an officer with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in France. He was awarded a Military Cross, was later wounded in action, and refused to fight any longer to protest "a senseless slaughter." On June 15, 1917, he wrote "A Soldier's Declaration" as "an act of wilful defiance of military authority, because I believe that the War is being deliberately prolonged by those how have the power to end it. I am a soldier, convinced that I am acting on behalf of soldiers." "I have seen and endured the sufferings of the troops, and I can no longer be a party to prolonging those sufferings for ends which I believe to be evil and unjust," he wrote. He was protesting, he made clear, "against the political errors and insincerities for which the fighting men are being sacrificed...against the deception which is being practiced on them. Also I believe that it may help to destroy the callous complacence with which the majority of those at home regard the continuance of agonies which they do not share, and which they have not sufficient imagination to realise." His letter was read before the House of Commons and printed in The London Times. He expected to be court-martialed; instead, he was declared "mentally unsound" and sent to Craiglockhart War Hospital, where Dr. William Rivers was charged with restoring Sassoon’s “sanity” and sending him back to the trenches. The story of their real-life encounter, wherein Rivers came to diagnose war's "shell-shock" and share Sassoon's view, is powerfully told in Pat Barker's historical novel Regeneration, the first in a trilogy about the psychological carnage of war. "It (was) the Great White God de-throned. We assumed we were the measure of all things," Rivers says. "(But) nothing justifies this. Nothing nothing nothing." Siegfried Sassoon's 1918 Suicide in the Trenches mourns a "a simple soldier boy/Who grinned at life in empty joy" until he goes to war: "In winter trenches, cowed and glum/With crumps and lice and lack of rum/He put a bullet through his brain./No one spoke of him again./ You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye/Who cheer when soldier lads march by,/Sneak home and pray you'll never know/The hell where youth and laughter go." At a cemetery near Ypres, one Inscription stands out; it was written on the grave of Arthur Young by his diplomat father: "Sacrificed to the fallacy that war can end war." This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Abby Zimet.
EXPLAINED: Why Taiwan wants U.S. weapons and why Washington supplies them
Reports of a delayed U.S. arms package have renewed attention on the unusual security relationship with Taipei.
With Taiwan hoping for swift delivery of a US$14 billion weapons sale approved by the U.S. Congress in January, a U.S. official said last week in a Senate hearing that foreign military sales are on pause to protect munitions stockpiles as conflict in Iran continues. U.S. weapons sales have been an integral part of Taiwan’s security since Washington ended diplomatic recognition of Taipei in favor of Beijing in 1979. Despite the loss of recognition, through arms sales and other agreements, Washington is still a de-facto military protector of the democratic island, an arrangement that remains one of the most unusual in international relations. How did the U.S. become Taiwan’s main arms supplier? The relationship dates back to the Chinese Civil War. After communist forces established the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the government of the Republic of China retreated to Taiwan. For many years afterwards, Washington recognized Taipei rather than Beijing as China’s legitimate government. During the Cold War, Taiwan became an important U.S. partner in Asia. The two sides signed a mutual defence treaty in the 1950s, and the United States maintained military support and stationed forces on the island. The relationship changed dramatically in the 1970s as Washington sought closer ties with Beijing. In 1979, the United States recognized the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China and ended official diplomatic relations with Taiwan. But it did not cut ties completely. Instead, the U.S. Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act, creating a framework that allowed Washington to maintain unofficial relations and continue providing defensive support to Taiwan. The law remains the main legal basis for U.S.-Taiwan security relations today. It says the United States will provide Taiwan with weapons of a defensive character and maintain the capacity to resist force or coercion against the island, but also does not explicitly guarantee that American troops would defend Taiwan during a conflict. What is the current framework? China’s official policy on Taiwan is called the One China Principle, which says that the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. Beijing has said that the island must eventually be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Taiwan rejects Beijing’s claims and operates as a self-governed democracy with its own government, military and economy. Current U.S. policy toward Taiwan is often described as resting on three pillars. U.S. weapons sales to Taiwan under recent presidential administrations. (AFP) The first is the Taiwan Relations Act, which governs unofficial relations and arms sales. The second is the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiqués, a series of agreements through which Washington recognized Beijing diplomatically and acknowledged the Chinese position that there is one China. The third is the Six Assurances, introduced during the Reagan administration in the 1980s. Among them was a pledge that Washington would not consult Beijing before approving arms sales to Taiwan. Together these policies created what many people refer to as the “status quo.” In practical terms, Taiwan governs itself and maintains its own political system, military and economy. The United States maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan while recognising Beijing diplomatically and following its own One China Policy, which “acknowledges” but falls short of accepting Beijing’s stance on Taiwan. What major weapons has Taiwan bought? U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have continued under both Democratic and Republican administrations. Major deals over the years have included fighter aircraft, missile defence systems, anti-ship missiles, tanks, surveillance equipment and naval systems. One of the most significant sales came in 1992, when the George H.W. Bush administration approved the sale of 150 F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan. In 2010, the Obama administration approved a package worth about US$6.4 billion that included Patriot missile defence systems, Black Hawk helicopters and other equipment. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te watches soldiers demonstrating the U.S.-made FIM-92 Stinger man-portable air-defense system at Songshan military airbase in Taipei, March 21, 2025. (I-Hwa Cheng/AFP) In 2019, the Trump administration approved a proposed US$8 billion sale of 66 F-16V fighter jets. The following year, Washington approved several packages including Harpoon coastal defence systems, rocket artillery and sensors. More recent approvals have included spare parts, munitions and mobile weapons systems intended to improve Taiwan’s ability to survive and respond during a crisis. What is the situation today? As tensions across the Taiwan Strait have increased, Taipei has sought to strengthen its ability to defend itself and deter conflict. Taiwan has not only asked for more weapons. Officials have also pushed for faster delivery of systems already approved by Washington, arguing that delays could affect the island’s defence preparedness. Taiwan has also increasingly prioritised smaller and more mobile systems that are harder to destroy, a strategy often described as “asymmetric warfare.” Rather than matching China weapon-for-weapon, the idea is to make any potential military operation more difficult and costly. Meanwhile, Beijing strongly opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, arguing that they violate China’s sovereignty and encourage separatism. <img src="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/TMCWE4OLV5GUBD4F24YBZ2NDCQ.jpg?auth=cd372104826092c9a0425b7ae6308763cc7465494b0b6c628875eba5c556e925&smart=true&width=1500" alt="The Barracuda-500, a low-cost autonomous cruise missile jointly developed by NCSIST and U.S. company Anduril, is displayed during the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in Taipei, Sept. 17, 2025." height="2656" width="1500"/> The Barracuda-500, a low-cost autonomous cruise missile jointly developed by NCSIST and U.S. company Anduril, is displayed during the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in Taipei, Sept. 17, 2025. (I-Hwa Cheng/AFP) China regularly protests such sales and has at times announced sanctions against U.S. defence companies involved in Taiwan-related transactions. It has also responded to some Taiwan-related developments with military drills around the island, which Beijing describes as warnings against “separatist” activity and foreign interference. For Washington and Taipei, the argument is different. They say arms sales are intended to help Taiwan defend itself and preserve stability by reducing the risk that Beijing might believe it could use force successfully. Why does this matter for regional security? The Taiwan Strait is one of Asia’s most sensitive security flashpoints. A conflict there could draw in the United States, affect Japan and other U.S. allies, disrupt major sea lanes and shake global technology supply chains, particularly because Taiwan plays a central role in advanced semiconductor production. For Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific, the concern is not only whether Taiwan can defend itself, but whether tensions could escalate into a broader regional crisis. A U.S.-made E-2K early warning aircraft taxis on the runway during a Taiwanese Air Force exercise at Taitung Air Force base on January 30, 2024. (Sam Yeh/AFP) That is why even individual arms packages receive close attention. They may not change the overall relationship, but they can signal how Washington, Taipei and Beijing are positioning themselves. Why are people talking about this now? Questions about U.S. support for Taiwan resurfaced after reports suggested that the weapons package that Congress agreed to in January could face delays. The reports emerged as Washington was reviewing military requirements elsewhere, raising questions about whether broader geopolitical priorities could affect support for Taiwan. U.S. President Donald Trump also said after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that he had not decided whether to approve the package. He later said he expected to speak with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, but media reports said no concrete plans had yet been made for a call between the two leaders. U.S. officials also said the reports should not be interpreted as a shift in long-standing policy and stressed that decisions on future sales remained under review. Edited by Eugene Whong. This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by Taejun Kang for RFA.
Caitlin Johnstone: Yet another escalation in the empire’s war on activism and journalism
COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone The empire’s war on activism and journalism continues to escalate as the Trump administration targets leftwing streamer Hasan Piker and antiwar activist Medea Benjamin for the “crime” of bringing humanitarian aid to Cuba. This is yet another act of aggression in the same onslaught that has seen inconvenient truth-telling and expressions
COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone The empire’s war on activism and journalism continues to escalate as the Trump administration targets leftwing streamer Hasan Piker and antiwar activist Medea Benjamin for the “crime” of bringing humanitarian aid to Cuba. This is yet another act of aggression in the same onslaught that has seen inconvenient truth-telling and expressions of moral clarity attacked and undermined throughout the Western world at every juncture in recent years. It is not separate from the persecution of Julian Assange for exposing US war crimes. LISTEN: A reading by Tim Foley It is not separate from the steadily increasing escalations of internet censorship we’ve seen in the wake of Gaza, Ukraine, covid, January 6, the 2016 US presidential election, and any other excuse the imperial narrative managers could find. Taking medical supplies to pediatric hospitals in Cuba is now a crime? Saving the lives of babies is a crime? This administration is beyond grotesque. https://t.co/xsvQGEYzb8 — Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) May 24, 2026 It is not separate from the Trump administration’s efforts to deport non-citizens for criticising the state of Israel. It is not separate from the efforts to stomp out pro-Palestine protests and university campus demonstrations. It is not separate from the arrests of activists in the UK on terrorism charges for saying the words “I support Palestine Action”. It is not separate from activists facing criminal charges for saying “From the river to the sea” in parts of Australia and Germany. It is not separate from imperial efforts to crack down on BDS activism and outlaw boycotts of Israeli products. It is not separate from Israel’s ban on foreign press from entering Gaza, nor is it separate from Israel’s systematic extermination of Palestinian journalists within Gaza. It is not separate from the artificially manufactured hysteria about “antisemitism” in Western society and the efforts of Western governments to silence criticism of Israel in the name of protecting Jews. It is not separate from Israel’s massive increase in its hasbara budget this year and the armies of paid trolls we’ve seen swarming online discourse. It is not separate from the nonstop barrage of imperial propaganda we see every day from the plutocratic press justifying every war and slandering every dissident. It is not separate from the way imperial oligarchs like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Larry Ellison buy up news outlets like The Washington Post and CBS and social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter in order to manipulate the way the public thinks, acts, and votes. It is not separate from the way tech platforms have been manipulating algorithms to hide dissident sources of information from the public and using bogus “fact checking” firms to suppress unauthorised facts. It is not separate from government secrecy measures which forbid the public from knowing what their rulers are doing, and which aggressively punish anyone who tries to reveal inconvenient facts. the american govt would rather try to criminalize delivering aid to a country we’ve starved, than punish the epstein class. https://t.co/h19HPsOc9m — hasanabi (@hasanthehun) May 24, 2026 The empire is waging a relentless war on intellectual clarity and on moral clarity, because truth and morality are its enemies. They do not want us to have unobstructed vision, lucid minds, functioning empathy centers and well-formed consciences, because if we did, we would instantly dismantle the empire brick by brick. This is why they go after anyone who tries to expand the consciousness of Western society using activism and journalism. In an empire built on lies and fuelled by human blood, telling the truth is seen as treason and doing the right thing is seen as insurrection. The only sane response to such a dystopian situation is to join in the revolution. Help spread unauthorised ideas and information. Take action to spread awareness of the abusive nature of the empire. They’re trying to keep it all in the dark, so we need to bring it all into the light. They wouldn’t be fighting so hard to suppress truth and compassion if it didn’t present an immediate existential threat to their power structure. Caitlin Johnstone is an Australian independent journalist and poet. Her articles include The UN Torture Report On Assange Is An Indictment Of Our Entire Society. She publishes a website and Caitlin’s Newsletter. This article is republished with permission. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
PNG prime minister visits France, plans to open Paris embassy
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape was on an official visit to France last week, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and held a number of important meetings to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Topping
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape was on an official visit to France last week, where he met French President Emmanuel Macron and held a number of important meetings to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Topping the list, through a joint communiqué, came the announcement of the setting up of a new PNG embassy in Paris. Currently, the closest PNG embassy is in Brussels, Belgium. The opening of Papua New Guinea’s embassy in Paris was based on the two nations “sharing a common commitment to democratic values, multilateralism, international law”, as well as in favour of “peace, stability and resilience in the face of climate change … and for the protection of environment and biodiversity”, including forest protection. READ MORE: Other France in the Pacific reports On social networks, Macron described Papua New Guinea’s forests as “the true lungs of the Pacific”. The diplomatic joint message also stressed the common will to “strengthen friendship and cooperation” relations. Macron visited Papua New Guinea in July 2023, as part of a regional tour that also included New Caledonia and neighbouring Vanuatu. On the political front, Marape also led a delegation to the French National Assembly (Lower House), which at the time was engaged in heated debates regarding New Caledonia. The PNG delegation’s presence in the Parliament’s gallery was hailed and underlined by National Assembly Speaker Yaël Braun-Pivet, followed by a round of applause from the French MPs. “Since we arrived, we have felt very much at home and very welcome,” Marape said. But apart from his encounter with Macron on Wednesday last week, Marape also had significant contacts with major development aid stakeholder AFD (Agence Française de Développement) and the aircraft industry’s ATR, based in Toulouse in southwestern France. More ATR aircraft on the way The ATR call was said to respond to PNG plans to expand their current fleet of turbo-prop regional aircraft. Since 2015, PNG Air currently operates 10 ATR 72-600 aircraft and plans to gradually expand its ATR fleet to 18 aircraft — a mix of ATR 72-600 (72 seats) and ATR 42-600 (42 seats). ATR is currently finalising the construction of three aircraft to be delivered to PNG Air. “Papua New Guinea is one of the most geographically challenging countries in the world, and aviation remains a lifeline service for our people, businesses, government services, and the broader economy,” Marape said in France. Agence Française de Développement Meeting the AFD top officials, Marape also touched on a crucial strategic development project in Rabaul in the East New Britain province, which is described as a “green port” project supported under the EU’s “Global Gateway” scheme. The target would be for Rabaul to turn into a regional import-export hub, supporting cocoa, fisheries, sustainable timber, tourism, manufacturing and downstream processing. At an estimated cost of over 80 million euros (about NZ$159 million), the project includes developments in terms of wharves, storage facilities, export-focused fish processing infrastructure, waste and wastewater systems, emissions reduction and port resilience measures. From the total cost, AFD is proposing to fund 24 million euros. The rest would come from the European Investment Bank (24 million euros) and from an EU grant (16.6 million euros). Other projects supported by AFD include the “SONG” project (“Solwara Na Graun blo pipol”), which supports the conservation and sustainable management of forest and marine ecosystems through the establishment of marine and terrestrial protected areas, a major issue for PNG and the region. The other project is a Green finance scheme to support the region’s green transition and provide better protection against climate change risks. EU economic forum Once the funding is finalised, a loan agreement is to be signed between France and Papua New Guinea during the European Union Economic Forum in Port Moresby on 2-3 June 2026, the AFD said. During his visit in France, Marape said: “France is an important partner in the Pacific, and Papua New Guinea values this evolving relationship as we work together on shared regional priorities, including security, sustainable development, and economic growth”. France is also a key player in PNG’s Natural Liquefied Gas (LNG) industry, through its company TotalEnergies. The TOTAL LNG project is estimated to be worth some US$10-12 billion in development value, with and expected yearly output capacity of 5.6 million tonnes once operational. In terms of security and defence relations, French and PNG armed forces have signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) in 2022. Since then, PNG forces are regularly taking part in French-hosted military and disaster-related humanitarian relief exercises and simulations, including in New Caledonia (with the New Caledonian Armed Forces, the FANC, and other neighbouring Pacific islands military personnel), French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna. Over the past 10 years, France has increased its engagement in the Pacific, where strategic competition grows across the region, including in the form of a struggle for influence between the United States and China. Through New Caledonia and French Polynesia, France holds one of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones and maintains a permanent military presence in the region. Birds of paradise show Coincidentally, the Paris Musée du Quai Branly — Jacques Chirac, which is largely dedicated to first peoples and Pacific islands cultures, has inaugurated earlier this month an exhibition named “Plumes of Paradise: Journeys of an Extraordinary Bird from New Guinea”. The exhibition lasts until 8 November 2026. It focuses on the multiple representations of PNG’s iconic bird, including the use of its feathers and the influence it had on European cultures. The exhibition features almost 200 pieces of birds of paradise feather-based art works (jewellery, paintings, stuffed specimens, fashion items and accessories). This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Journalists in Mexican state of San Luis Potosí jailed, indicted over AI-related charges
Guadalajara, May 25, 2026—Authorities in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí should immediately release journalists Eréndira Reyes and daughter Alejandra Hermosillo, and drop all criminal charges against them over the alleged illegal use of artificial intelligence (AI), the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Two reporters, asking to remain anonymous for safety reasons, alerted...
Guadalajara, May 25, 2026—Authorities in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí should immediately release journalists Eréndira Reyes and daughter Alejandra Hermosillo, and drop all criminal charges against them over the alleged illegal use of artificial intelligence (AI), the Committee to Protect Journalists said Monday. Two reporters, asking to remain anonymous for safety reasons, alerted CPJ that Reyes—founder and editor of Facebook-based news page San Wicho Times and the magazine Capital—had been arrested on May 21 by state police in San Luis Potosí, the state capital. Hermosillo was also arrested that same day. According to the National Registry of Detentions, Reyes and Hermosillo are still being held at the “La Pila” state penitentiary. The reporters also shared a photo with CPJ of what appeared to be an arrest warrant against several journalists among eleven people. In a May 21 statement, the San Luis Potosí state prosecutor’s office confirmed Reyes and Hermosillo’s arrests, alleging “deliberate and illegal manipulation of the digital identity of the victim.” The statement did not name the victim or mention arrest warrants against other journalists. “Jailing journalists on vague charges of ‘illegal use of AI’ is a clear escalation of the already sharp rise in cases of judicial harassment against journalists in Mexico, which continues to be the most dangerous country for journalists in the western hemisphere,” said Jan-Albert Hootsen, CPJ’s Mexico representative. “The San Luis Potosí state authorities must immediately cease this aggressive crackdown on the press.” The reporters told CPJ that they believe there are warrants for the arrest of several other journalists on the same charges, but CPJ was unable to confirm the existence of other warrants with San Luis Potosí authorities. According to the reporters, Reyes and Hermosillo’s arrests are in connection with a video that circulated widely on Facebook last year in which a local criminal gang in San Luis Potosí accused Gov. Ricardo Gallardo of corruption. Gallardo denounced the video as containing images of him manipulated by AI. The next month, San Luis Potosí amended its state penal code to include, in articles 187 and 187bis, AI-manipulated images as a crime punishable by up to three years in prison. The reporters told CPJ that they believe the indictments are in retaliation of Reyes and Hermosillo’s prior critical reporting of Gallardo’s administration. CPJ’s calls to Gallardo’s office and to the San Luis Potosí state prosecutor’s office for comment did not receive any reply. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 25, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 25, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 25, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
Hezbollah leader to The Grayzone: Israel-First Trump ‘turned America into a joke’
This content originally appeared on The Grayzone and was authored by The Grayzone.
CPJ condemns Tunisia’s judicial harassment of Sonia Dahmani after fresh conviction
New York, May 25, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the continued judicial harassment of lawyer and media commentator Sonia Dahmani, amid escalating attacks on press freedom in Tunisia, including the obstruction of journalists covering public protests. The sustained targeting of journalists, commentators, and independent voices signals a dangerous deterioration of civic space and media...
New York, May 25, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the continued judicial harassment of lawyer and media commentator Sonia Dahmani, amid escalating attacks on press freedom in Tunisia, including the <a href="https://web.facebook.com/snjt.tunisie/photos/%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3-%D9%81%D9%8A-19-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%8A-2026%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%BA%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%91-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%81%D9%8A-/1406113871542522/?_rdc=1&_rdr">obstruction of journalists covering public protests. The sustained targeting of journalists, commentators, and independent voices signals a dangerous deterioration of civic space and media freedom in the country. Dahmani, who already spent 18 months in jail before she was released in November, was convicted on May 25 of “spreading false news likely to harm a public official,” under Tunisia’s cybercrime Decree Law 54 over comments she made in 2023 criticizing conditions in Tunisian prisons. She was sentenced to two years in prison but remains free pending an appeal filed by her lawyers on the ruling, which stemmed from a complaint by the Minister of Justice on behalf of the General Directorate of Prisons, according to her lawyer. Dahmani, recipient of CPJ’s 2025 International Press Freedom Award, has become emblematic of Tunisia’s growing repression of free expression. Tunisian authorities have brought five separate cases against her over her public commentary over the years. In April, she received a reduced 18-month prison sentence on appeal over remarks about the treatment of sub-Saharan migrants in the country. CPJ has documented a broader pattern of repression in Tunisia under President Kais Saied, including the use of Decree-Law 54 to prosecute journalists and commentators. In recent months, authorities have handed down new sentences against journalists Mourad Zghidi and Borhen Bsaies, while continuing to harass other critical voices through the courts, including journalist Ghassen Ben Khelifa, who was sentenced to two years in prison in March 2026. Separately, according to a <a href="https://web.facebook.com/snjt.tunisie/photos/%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3-%D9%81%D9%8A-19-%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%8A-2026%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%BA%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%91-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AD%D9%81%D9%8A-/1406113871542522/?_rdc=1&_rdr">statement by the National Syndicate of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT), reporters and photojournalists were prevented on May 19 from covering a protest organized by the Tunisian Bar Association at the Tunis Court of First Instance. The union condemned the move as an unjustified restriction on press freedom and the public’s right to information. CPJ calls on Tunisian authorities to: · Immediately end the prosecution and judicial harassment of Sonia Dahmani and all individuals targeted for peaceful expression · Release all journalists and commentators detained in connection with their work or speech, including Zied el-Heni, Mourad Zghidi, and Borhen Bsaies · Cease the misuse of Decree-Law 54 against journalists and uphold Tunisia’s press freedom protections under Decree-Law 115 and international human rights standards CPJ’s email requesting comment from Tunisian authorities did not receive a reply. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
Democracy Now! Marks 30 Years w/ Angela Davis, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Michael Stipe & More
‘Israel wanted to shame us, but the shame is Israel’s,’ says climate activist Violet Coco
COMMENTARY: By Mark Nagalazas Kudos to the returning Australian pro-Palestinian flotilla activists for not simply focusing on their mistreatment at the hands of the Israeli Defence Force but for acknowledging the suffering of Palestinian prisoners. “What got me through is thinking about coming home, and now I’m home I can’t stop thinking about my brothers
COMMENTARY: By Mark Nagalazas Kudos to the returning Australian pro-Palestinian flotilla activists for not simply focusing on their mistreatment at the hands of the Israeli Defence Force but for acknowledging the suffering of Palestinian prisoners. “What got me through is thinking about coming home, and now I’m home I can’t stop thinking about my brothers and sisters that we left behind, still in the clutches of the Israeli military, police and prison guards, who take so much pleasure in inflicting pain and suffering,” said climate activist Violet Coco as she stepped off the plane at Melbourne Airport. “There are still almost 10,000 Palestinian prisoners held hostage in Israel’s prison system, hundreds of whom are children, some as young as two. READ MORE: Israel’s arrogance is becoming the evidence in the case against it Gaza freedom flotilla – reluctance of the West to protest Israel’s thuggery enabled the abuse Uncertainty persists as Trump says Iran deal not ‘fully negotiated’ Other Gaza flotilla human rights reports “Israel wants to shame us but we are not ashamed, the shame is Israel’s, that they would tarnish their souls with such calculated cruelty.” Fellow activist Gemma O’Toole also said the mistreatment of the protestors should not distract from the suffering of Palestinian prisoners. “I gather there’s a lot of attention being paid to the Ben-Gvir video, which is just so insane to me,” she said, referring to a video posted by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir showing the detained activists with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground. ‘Heart broken for Palestinians’ “What you saw in that video is this [infinitesimal] amount of what we actually went through. And then to think that’s what they do to predominantly white people when they’re being held relatively to account, there’s so much attention being paid to that,” O’Toole said. “My heart is just broken for the Palestinian people.” Meanwhile, the global pro-Israel community is apoplectic about The New York Times for Nicholas Kristof’s expose of the shocking brutality being endured by imprisoned Palestinians (Israel is even suing the newspaper). But, as the returning activists are pointing out, if this is how Israel treats privileged white people protesting you can imagine what they are doing to the brown people languishing in their prisons. Hard to cry innocent when their national security minister is boasting about Israeli brutality and posting it on his website. Mark Naglazas is a West Australian journalist specialising in Perth culture and the arts. New Zealand flotilla activists’ homecoming This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by Pacific Media Watch.
Democracy Now! Marks 30 Years with Angela Davis, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Michael Stipe & More
A special broadcast: Highlights from Democracy Now!’s 30th anniversary celebration at the historic Riverside Church, featuring Angela Davis, Patti Smith, Mosab Abu Toha, Michael Stipe, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Amy Goodman, Juan González...
A special broadcast: Highlights from Democracy Now!’s 30th anniversary celebration at the historic Riverside Church, featuring Angela Davis, Patti Smith, Mosab Abu Toha, Michael Stipe, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Amy Goodman, Juan González, Nermeen Shaikh and a surprise appearance by Bruce Springsteen. This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Democracy Now! Monday, May 25, 2026 This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.
[full uncut conversation] Finding Practical Paths To Economic & Social Justice
This content originally appeared on Laura Flanders & Friends and was authored by Laura Flanders & Friends.
Gaza freedom flotilla – reluctance of the West to protest Israel’s thuggery enabled the abuse
The failure of Australia and Western governments to hold Israel to account has enabled the abuse of Gaza flotilla detainees, including New Zealanders, argues Jerusalem Peace Prize recipient Stuart Rees in Michael West Media. ANALYSIS: By Professor Stuart Rees If bullies notice that no one intervenes to stop their behaviour, they may interpret such non-intervention
The failure of Australia and Western governments to hold Israel to account has enabled the abuse of Gaza flotilla detainees, including New Zealanders, argues Jerusalem Peace Prize recipient Stuart Rees in Michael West Media. ANALYSIS: By Professor Stuart Rees If bullies notice that no one intervenes to stop their behaviour, they may interpret such non-intervention as permission to continue bullying. For years, the same process has operated in relation to the thuggery of Israel’s Netanyahu government, and in that respect, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s abuse of detainees from the Gaza international aid flotilla was no surprise. Suddenly, even the Australian government — and New Zealand — condemned the abuse meted out to hundreds of humanitarian activists, but that condemnation was too little too late. READ MORE: Uncertainty persists as Trump says Iran deal not ‘fully negotiated’ Other Gaza flotilla human rights reports <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-128455 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Stuart-Rees-300tall.png" alt="Professor Stuart Rees " width="300" height="389" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Stuart-Rees-300tall.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Stuart-Rees-300tall-231x300.png 231w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Professor Stuart Rees . . . “This culture of non-accountability, coupled with acceptance of Israel’s false claims, reappeared when 430 sailors from 40 different countries were taken into Israel’s detention.” Image: MWM The first measure concerns politicians’ and journalists’ reluctance to question Israeli spokespersons’ claims that they and their army operate according to the highest moral standards. The second concerns the failure to hold Israel accountable to the rules of international law. This culture of non-accountability, coupled with acceptance of Israel’s false claims, reappeared when 430 sailors from 40 different countries were taken into Israel’s detention, forced to kneel with their hands zip-tied behind their backs while the Israeli national anthem played and Ben-Gvir taunted them. On ABC television’s 7:30 Report, the Israeli Ambassador to Australia repeated that Israeli forces had boarded the flotilla with “great sensitivity”. He assured listeners there would be no ill-treatment of the detainees. Litany of Israeli lies His claims followed a litany of lies. In the Gaza slaughter, Israeli military spokespersons insisted they would not harm civilians, Palestinians were allegedly not short of food, and the bombing of hospitals, schools and so-called safe houses was justified by claims that these were all sites of Hamas operations. The adjective ‘Hamas’ is used to stigmatise anyone who opposes Israeli actions. Ben-Gvir and others labelled participants in the humanitarian aid flotilla “Hamas terrorist supporters”. This all-purpose label apparently explains terrorism, but even regarding a slaughter of innocents in Gaza, on the West Bank and in Lebanon, few politicians have asked, “whose terrorism are you referring to?” <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-128265 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-AJ-680wide-1.png" alt="Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir" width="680" height="507" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-AJ-680wide-1.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-AJ-680wide-1-300x224.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-AJ-680wide-1-80x60.png 80w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-AJ-680wide-1-265x198.png 265w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-AJ-680wide-1-563x420.png 563w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir . . . his taunting of kidnapped Sumud flotilla activists who sought to break the siege on Gaza stirred global shock and anger. Image: TRT screenshot APR Government-sanctioned brutality Israeli officials claimed that no flotilla detainees were harmed, but a video showed detainees being abused in Israeli captivity, and returning Australian detainees reported experiences of violence and sexual abuse. The Israeli legal rights centre Adalah reported “systemic violations of due process and widespread physical and psychological abuse by Israeli authorities”. The same organisation said, “at least three people [from the flotilla] required hospitalisation due to injuries such as rib fractures and breathing difficulties”, each incident raising questions about the Israeli Australian Ambassador’s assertion that Israeli forces showed “great sensitivity”. It is predictable that governments would be reluctant to ask whether Israel’s attacks on the international aid flotilla could be justified in international law. In relation to other Israeli killing sprees, governments have treated international law as of no consequence. The 1948 Genocide Convention identified genocide as a crime and obliged signatory governments to prevent such actions and to punish perpetrators. These obligations have been ignored. Neither has action been taken to obey the International Court of Justice’s January 2024 ruling that Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands is illegal and should end immediately. Israel insists that theirs is a lawful blockade of Gaza, but Western governments, having never used their navies to escort small boat flotillas to the shores of Gaza, have colluded with this claim. Under what circumstances can a country that illegally occupies another’s waters be entitled to enforce a blockade? The United Nations has described the Israeli blockade of Gaza as a “direct contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law”. Don Rothwell, professor of international law at the Australian National University (ANU), concludes “there has been no legal basis for Israel to enforce a blockade off the coast of Cyprus (within 200 miles of Gaza), yet under international law an exception to a blockade exists for the provision of humanitarian aid to a civilian population”. Western facilitators Ben-Gvir’s bullying had been practised for years, but who cared if it was exercised at the expense of Palestinians? Now, however, international human rights activists have been abused. In response, previously silent commentators have rediscovered their principles and expressed outrage. The chances of that outrage leading to a revival of respect for international law appear to depend on governments admitting that the Ben-Gvir abuse was a feature of overall Israeli state violence towards Palestinians, a policy facilitated by Western democracies. Ben-Gvir’s treatment of the flotilla detainees was the tip of an iceberg. The UN’s February 2026 Report concluded that the Israeli prison system had degenerated into a laboratory of calculated cruelty. The Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem published its 2026 paper, “Welcome to Hell: the Israeli prison system as a network of torture camps.” Abuse of Palestinians, mostly in secret, had been reported but elicited nothing like the outrage expressed about the treatment of the flotilla crews. The UN reported that as minister responsible for Israeli prisons, Ben-Gvir had institutionalised torture, collective punishment and dehumanising conditions. Abuse of detainees included rape with bottles, metal rods, and knives, starvation, breaking of bones and teeth, burning, being spat upon, being attacked and urinated upon by dogs. <img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128401" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/We-stand-together-Sumud-APR-680wide.png" alt=""We stand together from Aotearoa to Gaza" banner at Auckland International Airport today" width="680" height="411" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/We-stand-together-Sumud-APR-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/We-stand-together-Sumud-APR-680wide-300x181.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> “We stand together from Aotearoa to Gaza” banner at Auckland International Airport on Sunday. Image: Asia Pacific Report Courage betrayed In total contrast to that bestiality, 430 courageous individuals sailed to Gaza, motivated by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and by feeling betrayed by governments that had not intervened in the genocide in Palestine and stayed silent when Israeli forces boarded the flotilla. Parents of those detainees have condemned governments for a failure to intervene. But a failure to stop ethnic cleansing, stealing of lands and eventually a genocide had been underway for years, long before October 2023. Throughout those decades, the victims were a stigmatised “other”, so international humanitarian law could be ignored, and Israel and the US were given assurance that murder and mayhem in Palestine and Lebanon should continue. Ben-Gvir noticed governments’ collusion with slaughter in Gaza and would have taken silence about the boarding of the flotilla as similar to Western collusion with death and destruction in Gaza, and with silence about the extent of cruelty in Israeli prisons. Abuse of the gutsy flotilla crews has prompted outrage, but that protest has been far too little and far too late. Professor Stuart Rees AM is professor emeritus, University of Sydney and recipient of the Jerusalem (Al Quds ) Peace Prize. This article was first published by Michael West Media and is republished with permission. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
‘We always stay hopeful’, says Umaga on Moana Pasifika’s future
By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist Moana Pasifika’s head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga says they are still hopeful the team continue on in Super Rugby Pacific in 2027. Speaking at the post-match press conference following Saturday’s clash against the Reds in North Harbour, Fa’alogo said there had been discussions last week between the
By Iliesa Tora, RNZ Pacific senior sports journalist Moana Pasifika’s head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga says they are still hopeful the team continue on in Super Rugby Pacific in 2027. Speaking at the post-match press conference following Saturday’s clash against the Reds in North Harbour, Fa’alogo said there had been discussions last week between the Moana Pasifika management and team. “Even this week there was a meeting around what the future looks like. There’s some certainty but not a lot. READ MORE: Other Pacific rugby reports “We always stay hopeful. Who would have thought I would get a job after this but I got one. I had actually given up hope on that. “So, if it can happen to me it can happen to anyone.” RNZ Pacific has been told that there are at least two organisations which had shown interest in securing the licence from Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), after it announced last month the club would be disbanded. One of the bidders is Kanaloa Consortium, which are based in Hawai’i and Auckland. Pasifika consortium The consortium is backed by a number of Pasifika heritage former All Black players that includes Joe Rokocoko, Ben Atiga, John Afoa, Anthony Tuitavake and Jerome Kaino. Kanaloa’s CEO Tracy Atiga confirmed last week they haD sent in their proposal, as per requirements of New Zealand Rugby, and were awaiting an update. New Zealand Rugby has remained tight-lipped on who the bidders are but said they had opened the process to all bidders. RNZ Pacific has requested NZ Rugby for an update on what the process now includes and when an announcement would be expected on Moana Pasifika’s future. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Rights & Wrongs: Recap – Sportswashing Explained
Filmmaker Ash Goh Hua on putting yourself in uncomfortable places
You were born in Singapore, you now live in New York, and you’re currently speaking to us from Colombia. How has a global perspective contributed to your work?
You were born in Singapore, you now live in New York, and you’re currently speaking to us from Colombia. How has a global perspective contributed to your work? [A global perspective] is integral to my work. The way I live my life allows me to form a perspective that I bring into my work. I’m very cognizant of the different ways in which the industry moves. And I almost feel like the way in which my life has spanned out across territories has allowed me to glimpse a possibility of bridging these different industries. Because the American industry is very insular and the international film industry is very international. A lot of times my friends in Asia are like, “The American market is so off.” It seems like you can’t tap into [the American film market] if you’re outside of it. And similarly, when you’re inside the US, it feels very much like a bit of a circle jerk. Being able to see the expansiveness of different storytelling legacies and the ways in which people see the world is something that is very important to me and that I continue to massage in my practice. I want to be somebody who can be porous. Does that contribute to the way you think about audience when you’re making work? I don’t know if I ever really think about audience. It’s always really hard when you’re writing a grant application and they’re always like, “Who’s your audience?” I think for me, [the answer to that question] has never really been a kind of person. It’s more about a feeling. If I’m making a film about homecoming, it’s about feelings of alienation. And so, my answer would be: this is for people that feel alienation. I think there are so many ways of arriving at that particular feeling, whether you are from the Global North or the Global South. So I don’t really think about audience specifically when making my work. How has the collaborative process of making films in community impacted your creative journey? I could never make a film in a silo by myself. That feels insane to me. I could never do that. When I first moved to the U.S., I didn’t really know anybody. Film became my entry into meeting people, and doing fellowships is where I got to meet other filmmakers. That really helped me become a filmmaker in New York City. That’s one of the most wonderful things about filmmaking to me: it’s a very collaborative medium. I mean, you could break your back and do everything yourself, but why would you want to do that? I have people now that I trust and always work with, and it’s always so exciting to be able to do that together. And I think filmmaking feels like a team sport. I think that for me is what I love about filmmaking. Do you return often to the same collaborators, or do you try to work with new creatives when building your team for a film? I have a core group of people that I super trust. Then, there’s always people who are interesting and I’m like, “Oh, what would the project feel like if this person touched it?” Sometimes, it can be a bit of a funding thing. If you got funding from the Spanish government, you have to hire a Spanish cinematographer, for example. Sometimes you’re restricted to those kind of things. But I definitely have people I can count on one hand whose sensibilities match mine. Those are the people I ask for feedback from. I think it’s so important to have those people when you’re a creative person, when you’re a filmmaker, because while there are so many wildly talented people in this world, it doesn’t mean that you align in terms of sensibility, nor does it mean that they have their heart in your project. You know what I mean? When you find people who do have their heart in your project, never let them go. This is true in not only filmmaking, but in life. There are so many great people in the world, but if you meet somebody whose heart is with you, it’s invaluable, right? You should treasure that and protect it with your life. Also, you can build a skill with somebody. And so, even if somebody doesn’t have a skill yet, it’s something you can grow together. We can grow together as people and as professionals. But once you find the right people, keep working with them. You are currently making two different films–a narrative short film and a documentary short film. How are you holding these disparate forms at the same time? It’s a creative exercise. I think I need that kind of stimulation actually. I think it’s very helpful to be dabbling in different mediums. My work has become very hybrid. I’m weaving these disparate threads, these different mediums, and intertwining nonfiction and fiction. And I’m always trying to challenge myself. What interests me is to challenge the form that I’m working within. I think about how filmmaking is so expensive. Why are we making a film when it could be a photo series or a podcast? I think for me, I’m always thinking, “Why does this story warrant a film?” I try to really make it warrant the film form. Sometimes, that means pushing the form and making different creative decisions. Much of your work is deeply intimate and uses archival home video of yourself as a child. Are there any aspects of your lived experience or identity that took time before you felt comfortable with before bringing them to your work? I think it’s always very uncomfortable. But I think I’ve learned that if it feels uncomfortable, it’s a good thing and you should lean into it. I’m always trying to put myself in an uncomfortable place because that means that it’s generative; I’m growing and I’m surpassing myself. I don’t think this is the only way to make films, but I don’t know how to make films not from a personal place. I think there are a lot of people who do it and they do a wonderful job, but I think, personally, I don’t really know how to not [make personal films]. I lead with my heart first with whatever story I’m trying to tell. How do you process personal experiences through your work? For me, it’s one world. Everything is intertwined. The life experiences I have always lead back into my work because my work is the way in which I process my life. I made a documentary with my mom and it was me being like, “I really want to talk about my mom. Maybe it could be a film because that’s how I know how to process my feelings.” Filmmaking is a tool in my brain to work through my own conundrums. If I’m interested in one thing, I’m going to go make a film in its world because it brings me even closer to that thing. How do you navigate doubt during your filmmaking process? I’ve definitely felt like I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing with every single project I’ve ever done. But that’s a very real, natural part of the process. So, surround yourself with people you trust with your life–not just collaborators, but also friends who love you and keep it real with you. And secondly, just be honest with your work. If you feel that something you’re putting out is the best that you can do, then that’s all we can do. People can criticize, but at the end of the day, if you are good with what you’ve done, you’re good with what you’ve done. I think back on the films that I’ve made in the last five years. Would I make the same creative decisions now? The answer is probably not. But I made those decisions then and I was being very honest in that moment. And if I want to do things differently, I’ll just do another thing now. Do you have any practices, creative or otherwise, that elevate your own creative process? I watch a film a day–that’s a part of my practice. A lot of times, it’s short films because you don’t always have time to sit and watch a feature-length film, but I watch a lot of films and I just do it because I love it. As a practitioner of film, it’s important to watch films, know films, and know the other people who are making films. It’s like when you learn a language; you have to practice every day because that’s the nature of a language. To me, filmmaking is a practice about humanities, and I think the more you’re exposed to it, the more you’re immersed in it. I think knowing more of what you like and what you don’t like informs what you decide to make, too. Yeah. My Letterboxd is crazy, y’all. I love Letterboxd. I also work out every day. I stretch every day. I read every day. I love walking my dog in the morning; I’m journaling in my mind– don’t touch me, don’t talk to me. I love that. Filmmaking is so tied to experiencing life, the worst parts of it and the best parts of it. I just love living my life and filmmaking is a way in which I’m putting a magnifying glass up to the world. And so, the more present I am, the more committed I am to living my life, and, say, feeling anxiety when I do feel anxiety or feeling grief when I’m feeling grief. It’s so wonderful to be heartbroken, even. You know what I mean? Because it means that I am alive. How can I not feel grateful for that, even if I feel horrible? And you’re relating to the world when you’re making films. It’s what life is about–this range of colors and emotions. When you’re in the dumps, there’s somebody else that’s going knows what it’s like, and that’s a way you get to connect to somebody. Filmmaking is the bridge to that for me. It’s the vessel in which I use to process, experience, and imagine the world. Ash Goh Hua recommends: Learning a new language SPF on your face and tattoos everyday! Rewatching/rereading Naruto (skip the fillers) Joachim Trier’s entire filmography Turning your phone off so nobody can reach you then buying a sushi platter and eating it all by yourself while you play Pokémon This content originally appeared on The Creative Independent and was authored by Reina Bonta.
Drones strike radio station in rebel-held DRC, with threat to kill next time
National Press Union of the Congo (UNPC)
The eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has joined a growing number of conflicts where drones are being used to target journalists, as two strikes hit a community radio station, followed by calls and messages threatening further attacks over its reporting on militia abuses. The bombing of Radio Tuungane in South Kivu province’s rebel-controlled Minembwe...
The eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has joined a growing number of conflicts where drones are being used to target journalists, as two strikes hit a community radio station, followed by calls and messages threatening further attacks over its reporting on militia abuses. The bombing of Radio Tuungane in South Kivu province’s rebel-controlled Minembwe commune came as the United Nations warned in March that civilians were facing additional risks from drones and clashes between the government and rebels escalated. Elsewhere in South Kivu, two journalists told CPJ they were currently unable to work due to threats and harassment. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" height="768" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?w=1024" alt="Solar panels destroyed by a drone strike on the roof of Tuungane Radio in Minembwe commune." class="wp-image-591275" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333472750846962;width:314px;height:auto" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg 1040w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=555,416 555w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=360,270 360w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=570,428 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=652,489 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=760,570 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=367,275 367w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/solar-Tuungane-Radio-Minembwe-credit-withheld.jpg?resize=330,248 330w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Solar panels destroyed by a drone strike on Radio Tuungane’s roof. (Photo: Credit withheld) On March 3 and 26, Radio Tuungane, which broadcasts from the mountainous Fizi Territory, was attacked by a military drone, three journalists from the station told CPJ, on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisals. Its staff escaped but the strikes damaged the building and equipment, including solar panels and batteries, they said. The journalists said government-allied Wazalendo militia and government soldiers, who are seeking to capture Minembwe, had called the station in February and accused its staff of broadcasting news implicating their forces in atrocities against civilians. One of the journalists said they had received death threats in February and April from the Wazalendo. “The authors of these [text] messages and phone calls say they will kill me, including through drone attacks, as has already happened twice against our radio station in the space of a month,” the journalist told CPJ. Over 60 journalists and media workers have been killed by drones since 2023. Journalists are considered civilians under international law and their deliberate targeting by any party to a conflict can constitute a war crime. Both the DRC government and the rebels have carried out high-profile drone strikes this year. <img decoding="async" height="686" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?w=1024" alt="Security force members stand watch as people attend the burial ceremony for victims who died in a drone strike in Masisi Territory in January." class="wp-image-591619" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg 3815w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=768,514 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=1024,686 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=1536,1028 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=2048,1371 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=570,382 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=652,436 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=760,509 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=1140,763 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=2000,1339 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-01-08T200442Z_1766244056_RC21XIAS96YT_RTRMADP_3_CONGO-SECURITY.jpg?resize=367,246 367w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Security forces stand watch as people attend the burial of victims of a drone strike in Masisi Territory in January. (Photo: Reuters/Arlette Bashizi) CPJ’s call to interim government spokesperson, Lt. Col. Mak Hazukay Mongba, went unanswered. CPJ was unable to find a contact for the Wazalendo. ‘My life will be immediately in danger’ The Minembwe area is controlled by Twirwaneho, an armed group from the minority Banyamulenge community. Twirwaneho is in coalition with the M23 and the Congo River Alliance (AFC) rebel groups. The rebels’ advance across eastern DRC in late 2024 and early 2025 forced many journalists to flee, while those who remain face a myriad of threats from both sides. Elsewhere, intelligence agents and police have also cracked down on reporting critical of local governance. “I fear that if Minembwe falls under the control of government forces, my life will be immediately in danger because of my reporting that exposes their actions,” said the journalist, who reports for YouTube-based, Kinyarwanda-language Mukirambi TV1, as well as Radio Tuungane, which produces news in Kiswahili, French, and English on FM radio and YouTube. The journalist said they had reported for both outlets on abuses by the militia. Accused of collaborating with rebels Similarly, Olivier Ramazani Alvin, who is based in South Kivu’s port city of Uvira, told CPJ that he had received multiple death threats since February from Wazalendo accusing him of collaborating with the rebels. Ramazani said that he was the only reporter in Uvira who provided footage and photos to international journalists, based some 300 kilometers north in Goma, when Uvira was occupied by the M23/AFC between December 2025 and January 2026. Ramazani, publishing director of News Home Magazine, said he stopped working in February because of the threats, although his colleagues continue to publish on the YouTube-based site. But that did not stop the threats, he said, adding that he had received a call and a message a few days earlier on May 8. Journalist hides after summons for ‘intelligence purposes’ <img decoding="async" width="517" height="710" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cleophas-Kyembwe-Babu-Bumba-Photo-Courtesy-of.jpg?w=517" alt="Cléophas Kyembwe Babu Bumba" class="wp-image-591014" style="aspect-ratio:0.7281630317568608;width:340px;height:auto" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cleophas-Kyembwe-Babu-Bumba-Photo-Courtesy-of.jpg 517w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cleophas-Kyembwe-Babu-Bumba-Photo-Courtesy-of.jpg?resize=218,300 218w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Cleophas-Kyembwe-Babu-Bumba-Photo-Courtesy-of.jpg?resize=367,504 367w" sizes="(max-width: 517px) 100vw, 517px" /> Cléophas Kyembwe Babu Bumba (Photo: Courtesy of Cléophas Kyembwe Babu Bumba) Also in Uvira, journalist Cléophas Kyembwe Babu Bumba went into hiding after receiving a summons on April 27 from the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) to appear at its local headquarters the following day for “intelligence purposes.” The next day, two ANR agents and three police officers searched for Kyembwe at his home and at privately owned Radio Lukula FM, where he holds the post of director, saying that he had shamed local authorities with his social media posts, CPJ was told by Kyembwe and another journalist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisals. The posts by La Cloche Magazine, where Kyembwe is a reporter and cartoonist, included a cartoon about locals’ refusal to pay a sanitation tax and another about a no confidence motion against the governor of South Kivu province, Jean Jacques Purusi, for incompetence and embezzlement of public funds. Interim Uvira mayor Kifara Kapenda Kyky told CPJ that he was unaware of Kyembwe’s situation. Contacted via messaging app, one local ANR manager declined to comment, while another did not respond. Police brutality in Kasai-Oriental province Press freedom is also under pressure elsewhere in the DRC. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="311" height="395" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-5.25.20-pm.png?w=311" alt="Placide Cilewu Mukonga Bantu" class="wp-image-591116" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-5.25.20-pm.png 311w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-5.25.20-pm.png?resize=236,300 236w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 311px) 100vw, 311px" /> Placide Cilewu Mukonga Bantu (Photo: Placide Cilewu Mukonga Bantu) In Mbuji-Mayi, capital of central Kasai-Oriental province, about seven police officers punched and briefly detained Placide Cilewu Mukonga Bantu, a reporter with Radio Television of the Evangelical Church of Witnesses of Christ (RTEETC), on May 15, injuring his left eye and causing his left leg to swell, Cilewu told CPJ. He said the police attacked him for interviewing, without authorization, female street sweepers demonstrating on a major avenue in the city, demanding local authorities increase their pay and improve working conditions. Cilewu said the officers pulled him by his clothes and belt, forced him into their jeep, and detained him at a local police station for about four hours, before returning him to the protest site and releasing him unconditionally. On May 16, the Union Nationale de la Presse du Congo in Kasai province, a journalists’ union, issued a statement, reviewed by CPJ, calling for provincial authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure Cilewu receives medical treatment. CPJ’s call to Kasai-Oriental’s provincial police commissioner, André Mbombo Manda, went unanswered. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Africa Program Staff.
The world owes Cuba a debt – and the US a condemnation
COMMENTARY: By Jeremy Rose In 2015, the John Key government announced a cooperation agreement that would see NZ Aid pay for Cuban doctors to be taught English in New Zealand before their deployment to the Pacific Islands as part of the communist island’s Medical Brigades. Cuba, a country of just 11 million people that has
COMMENTARY: By Jeremy Rose In 2015, the John Key government announced a cooperation agreement that would see NZ Aid pay for Cuban doctors to be taught English in New Zealand before their deployment to the Pacific Islands as part of the communist island’s Medical Brigades. Cuba, a country of just 11 million people that has been under continuous US economic sanctions since 1962, has sent more than 400,000 healthcare professionals to 155 countries over the last six and a half decades. Since 1960, when an earthquake devastated Valdivia in Chile, Cuban doctors have been on the frontlines of medical emergencies around the globe. READ MORE: Other Cuban reports They were there for the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, in Sri Lanka following the 2004 tsunami, in Pakistan after the 2005 earthquake, in Africa during the Ebola outbreak, in South Africa for the HIV/ AIDS epidemic, and Italy during the outbreak of covid. In any given year the country has had more health professionals working in aid programmes abroad than the USA, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the UK combined. The National government and Cuba were unlikely bedfellows. The conservative party’s founding constitution in 1936 committed it to combating communism and socialism. But the communist nation’s medical assistance programme has been a spectacular success when it comes to providing healthcare to those most in need, and the cooperation agreement was a concrete acknowledgement of that. Soft power, hard currency Cuba’s overseas doctors programme is both an exercise in what is sometimes called soft power and a source of desperately needed hard currency. Economists are divided over whether the US dollar’s status as the global reserve currency is an “exorbitant privilege” but there’s no debate over the power it gives the US government to inflict economic devastation on its perceived enemies. Last year, the medical journal The Lancet published an article that found that economic sanctions — the majority being unilateral imposed by the US — had caused more than 560,000 deaths every year between 2010 – 2021. In total, the study attributes 38 million deaths – half of them children – to sanctions since 1970. No country on earth has been under US sanctions for longer than Cuba. A 1958 arms embargo was expanded to include all goods four years later. The laws and regulations governing the embargo have been described as the “oldest and most comprehensive US economic sanctions against any country in the world.” Cuba not only survived those sanctions, but its commitment to investing in healthcare at home saw it achieve lower infant mortality rates over a sustained period than the US, while matching it for life expectancy. Massively impressive To describe that as impressive is to massively understate the achievement. Life expectancy and low infant mortality normally correlate very closely with a country’s relative wealth. The US’s GDP per capita has been about eight times that of Cuba for decades. During the Cold War, trade with the communist bloc helped insulate Cuba from the full impacts of the embargo. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 saw the island nation facing catastrophic shortages of oil, food and basic goods. A deal struck between Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, in 2000, to swap Venezuelan oil for Cuban medical professionals was critical to the island nation surviving the crippling US sanctions regime. That ended with the US’s imposition of a maritime blockade of Venezuela following its “arrest” — kidnapping is a more accurate term — of its president, Nicolas Maduro, in January of this year. The longest running US sanctions regime in history has become a near total siege resulting in a devastating health crisis. The UN reports that more than 100,000 patients are awaiting surgeries due to power outages. “Shortages of electricity, fuel, medicine and medical supplies are severely disrupting emergency care, blood banks, laboratories, immunisation programmes and maternal and child health services.” Blackouts lasting up to 20 hours have forced hospitals to suspend non-emergency operations. There’s no fuel for ambulances or private cars, so people struggle to get to health services even in an emergency. Infant mortality has doubled to 9.9 deaths per 1000 live births. At least half of those deaths are directly attributable to US sanctions. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Cuba a “severe national security threat” due to its military ties to China and Russia. (The US has around 800 military bases in 80 different countries. Neither China nor Russia has a base in Cuba although both are said to have spy facilities — presumably not unlike the ones the US has in New Zealand and Australia.) And in an effort to illustrate the “heinous nature” of the Cuban government, the US last week issued an arrest warrant for its former Defence Minister, 94-year-old Raul Castro, for the 1996 shooting down of two civilian planes off the coast of Cuba. The planes were flown by the Brothers of the Rescue, a group that both rescued Cubans attempting to flee the island and dropped anti-government leaflets over Havana. The then President, Fidel Castro, declared the planes a threat to Cuba’s national security. Many would take issue with that claim, but it is surely as credible as the US claim that the 57 boats it has sunk in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific Ocean since September last year, killing 194 people, were a threat to US national security. The US accuses Cuba of human rights abuses, including those of medical brigade doctors who it says are victims of human trafficking and forced labour. This would make Cuban doctors, surely, the only victims of forced labour anywhere to be given a free tertiary education before being trafficked to jobs paying significantly more than if they stayed at home. (The American Civil Liberties Union has estimated that around 800,000 prisoners in the US produce more than $11 billion in goods while being paid just pennies an hour.) None of the US’s explanations/accusations can be taken seriously. So, what else could be driving the ramping up of its decades old campaign to topple the Cuban government? Noam Chomsky called it “the threat of the good example.” A poor country showing it’s possible to redistribute resources and defy Western dominance is simply unacceptable and must be crushed. One showing that, for a fraction of the cost of what most Western countries spend on “defence,” it can be a superpower in the supply of medical assistance to the Global South is it seems doubly unacceptable. And then there’s the threat to the bottom-line of US corporations. ExxonMobil is currently before the courts seeking $1 billion in compensation for the nationalisation of its refineries in 1959. Last week, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of a US company — Havana Docks Corporation — that claims its waterfront property had been seized by the Cuban government in 1960. It will likely open the floodgates to similar claims. In 1971, the government commission that first certified that the Havana Dock Corporation’s property had been unlawfully confiscated did the same for 6000 other companies with “legitimate” claims to property worth a combined $1.9 billion ($9.3 billion in today’s term). Every year for the last three decades, New Zealand and Australia have joined a large majority of UN General Assembly member states in voting for a non-binding resolution demanding an end to the US blockade. (Last year’s vote was opposed by the US, Israel, Argentina, Paraguay, North Macedonia and Ukraine.) But as that blockade is being tightened to the point of catastrophe, and with the US threating an armed invasion both governments have remained mute. It’s shameful. Doubly so given that New Zealand’s last National government acknowledged Cuba’s contribution to the alleviation of suffering caused by poverty and scarcity with its cooperation agreement. The people of Cuba are now suffering unprecedented poverty brought on by scarcity due to an entirely man-made disaster. We know who the culprits are, but not only do our governments remain silent, they continue to be slavishly committed to military cooperation and integration with one of the world’s leading enablers and purveyors of violence. Our governments may be silent but civil society isn’t. Here’s a link to an international petition and a NZ one. To keep up with what’s happening in Cuba and solidarity actions in Aotearoa follow the New Zealand Cuba Friendship Society on Facebook. Jeremy Rose is a Wellington-based freelance journalist. You can follow him on his Substack Towards Democracy. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Health services for US veterans from Freely Associated States remain elusive
By Giff Johnson, Marshall Islands Journal editor/RNZ Pacific correspondent Securing essential healthcare services for US military veterans from three North Pacific nations remains a persistent challenge. Despite the US Congress specifically authorising in-country services by the US Veterans Administration for veterans of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Palau, the Trump
By Giff Johnson, Marshall Islands Journal editor/RNZ Pacific correspondent Securing essential healthcare services for US military veterans from three North Pacific nations remains a persistent challenge. Despite the US Congress specifically authorising in-country services by the US Veterans Administration for veterans of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and Palau, the Trump administration over a year ago suspended ongoing talks to implement services. All three island nations have been lobbying for years to get action for their hundreds of military veterans who, unlike American veterans, do not have easy, or any, access to Veterans Administration services — unless they move to the United States. READ MORE: Other US Pacific military veterans’ health care reports Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko, himself a US Army veteran, has been at the forefront of pushing US authorities to begin implementing healthcare for island veterans. “Most importantly, the Compact legislation approved by the United States Congress specifically mandates the provision of VA services to the Freely Associated States,” he said in an interview this week. “This was not intended to be a symbolic commitment, but a practical obligation reflecting the unique relationship between our nations,” Kaneko said. Islanders from the three Freely Associated States (FAS) are allowed by the treaties with the US to enlist in the US Armed Forces and do so at per capita rates generally higher than those of Americans. ‘Served honourably’ “Marshallese citizens have served honourably in the United States Armed Forces for generations, often at one of the highest per-capita rates of military service in the world,” Kaneko said. “The United States military continues to recruit in the Marshall Islands, and with that recruitment comes a shared responsibility to ensure veterans can access the care and benefits they earned through their service.” Kaneko said the discussions that the Veterans Administration halted over a year ago have not yet started. “Formal discussions have not fully resumed, and we have not yet received a definitive timeline from the US government regarding next steps,” he said. But, he added, the government was continuing to advocate for its veterans “to ensure this issue remains a priority.” In comments issued last month to the US Government Accountability Office, FSM’s ambassador to the US, Jackson Soram, said based on the US Congress-approved Compact legislation, the “Freely Associated States had been in dialogue with the Veterans Administration on increased access to healthcare for FAS veterans”. “In April 2025, after negotiations were underway, the Department of Veterans Affairs unexpectedly suspended the discussions that had been authorised by the US Congress.” Soram said all three FAS governments want to resume discussions on this. “This is a fundamentally important goal of the FAS,” Soram added. Kaneko confirms this sentiment. ‘Serious concerns’ “The RMI continues to engage the United States government regarding the implementation of VA services under the 2023 Amended Compact,” Kaneko said. “Late March this year, Senator Wilbur Heine and I led an RMI delegation to Washington, DC to meet directly with officials from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and other relevant US agencies to address this issue and several other Compact implementation concerns affecting our people. “During those discussions, we expressed our serious concerns regarding the continued delay in delivering VA services to veterans residing in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. “The VHA proposed that eligible veterans in the RMI utilize the VA Foreign Medical Program, which allows veterans living abroad to access reimbursement for certain covered medical care received in foreign countries. “However, we made clear that this approach does not adequately address the realities on the ground in the Marshall Islands.” Kaneko emphasised the point that the RMI’s healthcare system “lacks many of the specialised services, medical expertise, and support systems required to meet the unique needs of veterans, particularly those with service-related conditions. “If these services already existed locally, our veterans would not be forced to travel abroad or continue facing significant barriers to care.” ‘Remains firm’ Kaneko said the Marshall Islands “remains firm in its position that veterans residing in the RMI deserve meaningful and accessible VA services consistent with both the letter and spirit of the Compact. Kaneko was a recruiter for the US Army for much of his time in the military and expresses a feeling of personal responsibility about the provision of healthcare services. “As a retired US Army soldier who personally recruited many Marshallese men and women into military service, this issue is deeply personal to me,” he said. “Our government will not sit idle while our veterans continue to face barriers to the benefits they were promised and earned through sacrifice and service. “This is not simply a policy matter; it is a matter of trust, fairness, and honouring the enduring partnership between the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the United States.” This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 24, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 24, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 24, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
The EPA just walked back Hawai‘i’s plan to retire its dinosaur power plants
By throwing a wrench in the state’s Regional Haze State Implementation Plan, advocates say Hawaiian Electric Co. can sidestep rules years in the making.
Hawaiʻi has some of the freshest air in the nation, but in some parts of the state hazy skies can impact tourism and public health. Now, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has pumped the brakes on a multi-decade effort to improve visibility and reduce fine particulates and other man-made pollutants. On May 15, the agency announced it had partially denied Hawaiʻi’s 2024 Regional Haze State Implementation Plan, a detailed proposal that lays out the state’s intention to comply with the federal Clean Air Act. The plan was designed specifically to reduce haze in two iconic places: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island and Haleakalā National Park on Maui. Because the two parks are designated as Class I under the Clean Air Act, their air quality is legally entitled to the highest level of protection. Although the EPA is leaving some aspects of the haze plan intact, it is jettisoning its main thrust: the state’s long-term strategy, which included shutting down at least two of Hawaiian Electric Co.’s oil-fired electricity generating units in the Kanoelehua-Hill and Kahului power plants by 2028. The units are the dinosaurs of the industry; the Kahului unit was commissioned in 1948. The agency referred to the closures as “unconsented” and said in a press release that they could make Hawaiʻi’s grid less reliable and “violate the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution for the taking of private property without just compensation.” <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hawaiienergystation.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="Two dirty industrial towers" data-caption="Determining to what degree natural and man-made emissions contribute to the overall air quality in the region requires a series of complex, evolving math equations. " data-credit="Erin Nolan / Civil Beat"/> Determining to what degree natural and man-made emissions contribute to the overall air quality in the region requires a series of complex, evolving math equations. Erin Nolan / Civil Beat The decision isn’t the first of its kind for the agency; in Colorado, it rejected a similar plan that involved closing a coal plant. But it is one of the first from the current EPA to impact Hawaiʻi, and part of a larger plan by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to execute on President Donald Trump’s executive orders to promote what he calls “energy dominance.” “This is one of the biggest bombs to drop in Hawaiʻi so far from the EPA,” Isaac Moriwake, managing attorney of Earthjustice’s mid-Pacific office, told Civil Beat. Earthjustice is part of a group of 10 national environmental advocacy groups, which also includes the National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Center for Biological Diversity, to respond to the decision, saying it will harm Hawaiʻi communities and result in dirtier air in the parks. Mike DeCaprio, vice president of power supply at HECO, describes the situation as a trade-off. He said the company still plans to retire the aging plants. But to do so by the end of 2028, DiCaprio said more biofuel plants and more solar farms and battery storage have to first come online. “We felt that having a contingency to run these units longer if needed was in our interest, and in our customers’ interest, so that we don’t end up in a grid reliability issue,” he said. “Reliability on an island grid is a really tough issue, right? They’re very small grids. With size comes stability, and they don’t have size,” DeCaprio said. “Making sure that the lights stay on is the most important part.” Regulation or ‘total regulatory taking’? In a detailed 67-page comment on an earlier draft of the EPA’s decision, the environmental advocates accused HECO of exploiting the Trump administration’s fossil fuel agenda. The advocates asserted that the Clean Air Act was written in such a way that it already allowed for contingency plans if renewable energy wasn’t available. They also said that HECO had previously agreed to retire three of its oldest oil-fired generating units in the Hill, Kahului, and Māʻalaea plants after it was asked by the health department to submit a plan to upgrade the technology to improve air quality. “HECO was the one coming to Department of Health and saying, ‘Hey, we will commit to shutting down these plants in lieu of having to spend all kinds of money, which the ratepayers are going to pay for at the end of the day, to upgrade these plants to try to clean them up. It’s cheaper, it’s more reliable, it’s more affordable for our ratepayers to just shut them down,’” Moriwake said. Then, last August, Karin Kimura, director of the environmental division at HECO, sent a letter to the EPA’s regional administrator saying the company had been “forced under the SIP to accept enforceable retirement deadlines.” Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/electric-bills-energy-cost.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="Person holding electric bill with orange lightning bolts sparking from it" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/electric-bills-energy-cost.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 2000w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/electric-bills-energy-cost.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/electric-bills-energy-cost.jpg?resize=330%2C186&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/electric-bills-energy-cost.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/electric-bills-energy-cost.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/electric-bills-energy-cost.jpg?resize=160%2C90&quality=75&strip=all 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/electric-bills-energy-cost.jpg?resize=150%2C84&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="1125" width="2000" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> What’s behind your eye-popping power bill? We broke it down, region by region. Naveena Sadasivam & Clayton Aldern Kimura said the retirement deadlines were no longer viable because of “actual or potential cancellations and delays” in renewable energy sources coming online to replace the power plants. Those projects had slowed down due to permitting challenges, changes in tax incentives and supply chain changes, she added. “Following this notification, Hawaii … needed to provide assurances that EPA’s approval of the unconsented source closure would not amount to a taking without just compensation under the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution,” the EPA press office told Civil Beat in an emailed statement. “Hawaii did not provide such assurances, and EPA was therefore required to partially disapprove the state’s long-term strategy.” The haze plan process had been overseen by the Department of Health, but HECO sent the letter without the Department of Health’s involvement. The health department did not respond to a request for comment from Civil Beat but it noted this omission in its own letter to the EPA in April — once it was clear that the EPA was responding to HECOs request by shutting down the plan. In it, the state’s director of health, Kenneth Fink, said the EPA’s response was “not consistent with the purpose of Clean Air Act Section 169A which was enacted to protect visibility in national parks and wilderness areas” and “directly conflicts with EPA’s previous guidance” for developing such plans. The company also has already signaled it is raising its customers’ rates, in part to compensate for the plant closures, Moriwake noted. “HECO has a pending request right now,” he said. “It’s sitting in front of the PUC to increase customer rates by $45 million a year for this purpose.” Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276972475-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin speaks with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276972475-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1600w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276972475-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276972475-1.jpg?resize=330%2C186&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276972475-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276972475-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276972475-1.jpg?resize=160%2C90&quality=75&strip=all 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276972475-1.jpg?resize=150%2C84&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="900" width="1600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> Trump’s EPA vows to fight ‘forever chemicals’ by loosening regulations Zoya Teirstein Jeff Mikulina, executive director of Climate Hawai‘i, acknowledged that renewable energy in Hawaiʻi is facing headwinds, thanks in large part to the Trump administration’s tariffs and choice to cut tax credits and other federal support. But he believes Hawaiʻi will continue to lead on renewables. And he’s particularly optimistic about what’s happening on Kauaʻi, where local lawmakers just approved two new solar-and-storage projects that could get them to 90 percent renewable energy by 2030. “It’s important to look at the long-term signal as opposed to the near-term noise, and that long-term signal tells us that this technology is getting cheaper by the day, particularly energy storage, which is really that secret sauce that’s going to allow us to achieve our 100 percent renewable energy future.” In its email, the EPA press office said it is “committed to working with the state of Hawaii to revise the SIP, in order to both follow the law and achieve clean air for all in the state.” And yet the legal argument that the agency is using to justify its move away from a haze rule with teeth concerns the environmental advocates as much, if not more, than this one decision. In its legal rationale, the federal agency argued that the haze plan would unfairly restrict HECO’s use of its private property, in what it called “a total regulatory taking.” “By asserting that the retirement deadlines in the 2024 SIP are now ‘forced,’ EPA opens a massive loophole in the Act’s requirements, allowing facilities to entirely evade compliance with the Regional Haze Program,” they wrote in their comments in April. They say they are concerned that the agency could dismantle other parts of the Clean Air Act, such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards Program. “They are signaling that they want to overhaul this entire regulatory scheme,” Moriwake said. Not to be confused with vog When the Kīlauea volcano is erupting, vog — volcanic smog — adds sulfur dioxide and fine particulate matter to the air, particularly on the southern side of Hawaiʻi island. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health warns that even brief exposure can cause shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other respiratory problems. Power plants and other industrial facilities — such as the Mauna Loa processing facility named in the state’s 2024 SIP — also emit sulfur dioxide as well as nitrogen oxides, which has been shown to aggravate lung and heart conditions. Determining to what degree these natural and man-made emissions contribute to the overall air quality in the region requires a series of complex, evolving math equations. EPAs under previous administrations have used specific tools to calculate the region’s “natural visibility conditions” while accounting for episodic volcanic events. But when the current EPA proposed its disapproval of the haze rule in February, it asserted that no methodology “has been developed that is able to fully screen out the volcanic impacts and thus isolate the visibility impairment caused by anthropogenic air pollution.” The environmental groups disagree. In their comments they called the agency’s assertions “arbitrary and capricious.” Civil Beat’s coverage of climate change and the environment is supported by The Healy Foundation, the Marisla Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, and the Frost Family Foundation. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline The EPA just walked back Hawai‘i’s plan to retire its dinosaur power plants on May 24, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Twilight Greenaway.
How Bosnians Fighting For Russia Are Escaping Prosecution
Haka, waiata welcome for NZ’s Gaza flotilla activists after brutal ordeal at hands of Israeli military
Asia Pacific Report An emotional and inspiring welcome greeted two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s three Gaza Sumud Flotilla humanitarian activists who arrived home today after their ordeal at the hands of the brutal Israeli military and prison forces last week. About 60 whānau, supporters and well-wishers greeted Hāhona Ormsby and Mousa Taher with a waiata
Asia Pacific Report An emotional and inspiring welcome greeted two of Aotearoa New Zealand’s three Gaza Sumud Flotilla humanitarian activists who arrived home today after their ordeal at the hands of the brutal Israeli military and prison forces last week. About 60 whānau, supporters and well-wishers greeted Hāhona Ormsby and Mousa Taher with a waiata and haka. The returning activists were among about 430 humanitarians from 43 countries trying to break the illegal blockade who were kidnapped, abused and taken to Israel on “torture ships”. READ MORE: Andy Worthington: The startling severity of Gaza flotilla activists’ rape allegations Wong’s muted response to Ben-Gvir’s video raises serious questions Peters condemns Israeli minister over flotilla video as 3 Kiwis detained Other Gaza flotilla reports Most were tortured and beaten to global outrage and Ormsby was seen to be walking today with a limp at Auckland International Airport. Government ministers for several countries have accused Israel of “inhumane treatment” and “unacceptable” behaviour over the abducted activists. A video posted on social media by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir last week showed him taunting the activists as they were zip-tied and forced to kneel under threat after being detained by the Israeli forces in international waters. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128396" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Airport-welcome-24-May-2026-APR-680wide.png" alt="Supporters greet NZ Global Sumud Flotilla activists Mousa Taher and Hāhona Ormsby on their return to Aotearoa today" width="680" height="377" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Airport-welcome-24-May-2026-APR-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Airport-welcome-24-May-2026-APR-680wide-300x166.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Supporters greet NZ Global Sumud Flotilla activists Mousa Taher and Hāhona Ormsby on their return to Aotearoa today. Image: Asia Pacific Report This video was widely condemned, including by New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters who said in a statement: ‘Travel ban on Ben-Gvir’ “Last year, New Zealand placed a travel ban on Minister Ben-Gvir for severely and deliberately undermining peace and security and removing prospects for a two state solution.” However, a Palestinian researcher has criticised the “weak responses” of Australia and New Zealand over the “detention and humiliation”. Writing in the Sydney-based Green Left magazine, Shamikh Badra said the abuse and torture by Israel not only revealed Tel Aviv’s approach to the Gaza enclave, it raised questions about Australia’s “response to an ally which is responsible for genocide”. The Ben-Gvir video footage showed that hundreds of detained activists from various countries — including 11 Australians and three New Zealanders — were forced to kneel with their hands restrained behind their backs while Ben-Gvir walked past mocking them. Among the peace activists were doctors, students, academics and filmmakers. “The flotilla had again been attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, and challenge the illegal blockade,” wrote Badra, who is originally from Gaza and is a convener of the Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine. He is also a PhD candidate at the School of Humanities and Social Inquiry at the University of Wollongong. “They were again intercepted illegally in international waters, but the outcry at their treatment has only come after Ben-Gvir’s public humiliation. ‘Public display of Israeli state power’ “Ben-Gvir’s video was not just about controlling the detainees; it was a public display of the Israeli state’s power,” wrote Badra. “The forced kneeling, restraints and ridicule were part of a political performance designed to send a wider message: Israel will stop all attempts to challenge the blockade of Gaza. “Some detainees were restrained with plastic ties; others were forced to kneel while the Israeli national anthem played through loudspeakers. This was a deliberate display of domination. “They report that they were sexually abused, punched, tasered and kept in inhumane conditions.” Basic humanitarian law meant that even in situations involving detention or maritime interception, civilians must be protected, wrote Badra. “This is why European officials, the first to speak out, described the scenes as degrading and unacceptable.” ‘Shocking’ but restrained response As with New Zealand’s Minister Peters, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong followed suit, saying the footage was “shocking and unacceptable”. “However there is another broader issue — Wong’s restrained response,” wrote Badra. “The Benjamin Netanyahu government, of which Ben-Gvir is a senior minister, is one of the [Australian] Labor government’s closest strategic partners. “Australia’s foreign policy is supposed to be framed around protecting human rights, opposition to arbitrary detention and the defence of its citizens overseas. “If Israel knows that international reactions are likely to be limited to statements of concern, rather than military sanctions and political isolation, the cost to it of mistreating flotilla activists is marginal. “But perhaps Ben-Gvir has done us a favour by revealing how Israel treats supporters of Palestine. The flotilla activists’ accounts of their abuse, and the abuse they saw meted out to Palestinian prisoners, don’t leave much to the imagination.” This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
North Korea’s Naegohyang FC meets the South’s Suwon FC in Seoul | Radio Free Asia (RFA)
This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by Radio Free Asia.
Andy Worthington: The startling severity of Gaza flotilla activists’ rape allegations
COMMENTARY: By Andy Worthington It’s a sign of Israel’s swaggering sense of impunity, and of the grotesque depravity at the heart of their notions of supremacy, that their soldiers and those in charge of them thought that they could get away with inflicting severe physical abuse on the 430 members of the Global Sumud Flotilla,
COMMENTARY: By Andy Worthington It’s a sign of Israel’s swaggering sense of impunity, and of the grotesque depravity at the heart of their notions of supremacy, that their soldiers and those in charge of them thought that they could get away with inflicting severe physical abuse on the 430 members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, from 45 countries, who were illegally intercepted at sea, in international waters, and then, over two days, were abused on Israeli ships located nearby. They were then illegally brought to Israel to face further abuse under the watch of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the terrorist thug serving as the Minister of National Security, who caused global outrage when he posted a video of himself and his soldiers bullying and humiliating detained activists in his custody. As Reuters reported in an article entitled, “Freed Gaza flotilla activists allege Israeli abuse including rape”, the flotilla’s organisers said that activists released from Israeli custody after being detained “were subjected to abuse, with several hospitalised with injuries, and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape.” READ MORE: ‘More horrific than Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo’: The unsalvageable depravity of Israel’s prisons for Palestinians Flotilla activists tasered, sedated, sexually assaulted – Israeli prison service claims brutal abuse ‘justified’ ‘It’s worse for Palestinians,’ says Australian flotilla activist about Israeli torture Shameen Suleman: Outrage over the flotilla activists but where were they for Palestinians? Israel’s $700m Hasbara fiasco – how Ben-Gvir’s flotilla abuse video stirred backlash Other Gaza flotilla reports A spokesperson for the Israeli Prison Service stated, “The allegations raised are false and entirely without factual basis”, and Reuters noted that it “was not able to verify them independently”, but why would anyone believe the Israelis, when so many of those released were photographed with visible signs of abuse, including severe bruising, and what appear to be burn marks? Because the Israelis lied about the evident signs of physical abuse, why is it plausible to suggest that claims of sexual assault, and even of rape, are somehow implausible? Both have been reported widely in Israel’s prisons for Palestinians, and have even been celebrated in the case of five soldiers caught on video raping a Palestinian prisoner in the notorious Sde Teiman prison, who later had to be treated for the most severe internal injuries. Why, we have to ask, did those directing the soldiers think that they would get away with their actions, when it was obvious that, on their release, the detained activists would be able to publicly show the signs of the abuse to which they were subjected, and, very possibly, would be able to undergo medical examinations to verify the claims by some that they were subjected to sexual assault and rape? As Reuters described it, “A German Foreign Ministry ⁠spokesperson said consular officials who met German activists on their arrival in Istanbul reported that a number had injuries and were undergoing medical checks”, and stated, “We naturally expect a full explanation, as some of the allegations that have been made are serious.” Prosecutors investigate kidnapping, torture crimes In Italy, meanwhile, prosecutors in Rome “are investigating ​the possible crimes of kidnapping, torture and sexual assault and will hear testimony from activists who have returned to Italy over the coming days”, according to an Italian ​legal source. As Reuters explained, the organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla “had documented at least 15 cases of sexual abuse, with the worst occurring on one Israeli landing ​craft which had been converted into a makeshift prison with barbed wire and shipping containers”. There, according to the organisers, they “were thrown into the containers and beaten over the head and ribs.” They also reportedly “suffered multiple cases of sexual abuse, including ‘humiliating strip searches, sexual taunting, groping and pulling of genitals’”, and there were “multiple accounts of rape.” “At least 12 sexual assaults have been documented on that vessel alone, including anal rape and forcible penetration by a handgun”, the group added. Sabrina Charik, who helped organise the return of 37 French citizens from the flotilla, told Reuters that “five French participants had been hospitalised in Turkey, some with broken ribs or fractured vertebrae”, and that some of them “had made detailed accusations of sexual violence, ⁠including of rape.” Reuters explained how Mi Hoa Lee, an activist from Spain, “​said she was forced into the darkened container on the ship, according to a video interview included with the flotilla’s statement.” She said, “Four men started beating me in the face against the wall, and I fell down and then stood up again, again ‌to the floor, ⁠stood up again, and they started tasering me for more than one minute. In the video, she “point[ed] to her ribcage, hips and back where she said they applied the taser.” “Then”, she added, “they kept beating me until I almost lost consciousness.” Two ‘prison ships’ Ilaria Mancosu, an Italian activist, told Reuters that “the flotilla members were removed from their boats to two so-called prison ships”, and that “those put on one of the ships suffered more violence than the other.” As she described it, “They were locked in a container and beaten by five soldiers, suffering fractures to the ribs and arms. Some had serious injuries to their eyes and ears caused by tasers.” She added that “they spent two days on the prison ships with no ​running water and used cardboard and plastic to keep warm ​at night, since they had no blankets and ⁠were stripped of most of their clothes. Once on land they were made to kneel for several hours and kicked and shoved if they moved or spoke. They were then taken to a prison where they were moved from room to room periodically to keep them from sleeping.” According to Reuters, the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that he had been in touch with all his EU counterparts “so that there may be a quick ​decision to impose sanctions” on Itamar Ben-Gvir But the problem with this is that, while Ben-Gvir was swaggeringly and demonstrably the face of this abuse, he is not a rogue element or a “bad apple” but an Israeli government minister who is openly showing the world not only how Israel treats Palestinians, but how, given a chance, it treats anyone, anywhere who opposes its genocidal supremacism in any way. Andy Worthington is an UK investigative journalist, author, campaigner, commentator and public speaker. He is an authority on Guantánamo and the “war on terror”. This commentary was first published on his Facebook page. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 23, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 23, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 23, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
Unions Hiding/A Solution to Gerrymandering
Ralph welcomes back union organizer, Chris Townsend, to discuss the reasons why the AFL-CIO shrinks from effectively fighting for its members and expanding the power of workers. Then, political scientist Lee Drutman lays out a system of proportional re...
Ralph welcomes back union organizer, Chris Townsend, to discuss the reasons why the AFL-CIO shrinks from effectively fighting for its members and expanding the power of workers. Then, political scientist Lee Drutman lays out a system of proportional representation that would take away the incentive to gerrymander congressional districts. Plus, Ralph gives some quick takes on Thomas Massie’s primary loss, fish hopped up on cocaine, and the situations in Lebanon and Ukraine. Chris Townsend has been a union member and labor leader for more than 45 years. He was most recently the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International Union Organizing Director. Previously, he was an International Representative and Political Action Director for the United Electrical Workers Union (UE), and he has held local positions in both the SEIU and UFCW. [The upcoming AFL-CIO] convention is deliberately kept secret. It’s what I describe as sort of a hideout strategy. It enables the leadership to not have to discuss or take positions that for them are difficult, such as: What is the labor movement going to do to confront the rampant lawlessness and criminality of the Trump regime? What is the labor movement going to do to address the rampaging inflation that is eating up living standards? There’s no wage policy. There’s no bargaining policy of the Federation. What are they going to do to address the ongoing national health care crisis and disaster?... And what are they doing about the crisis of the unorganized? Chris Townsend The labor movement finds itself (I would submit) with the leadership disinterested in going out and organizing the unorganized. But even for those who do (and there are some), the laws—Taft-Hartley primary among them—provide such a minefield that we have to run through, that our ability to organize on any scale for decades has been stopped. And therefore, we are condemned to a perpetual shrinking size, resources, and whatnot. [And what] might help for folks to figure out how or why this is happening is that the labor movement is systematically being converted from trade union fighting organizations, membership-driven fighting organizations, to harmless not-for-profit organizations. And this is today’s administrative layer of trade union leaders that don’t see anything wrong with that. But that doesn’t help anyone in the shop, in the office, in the workplace. And it doesn’t help anyone looking to the labor movement for something better—better treatment, better wages, better benefits, better conditions, better health and safety in the workplace. Chris Townsend Lee Drutman is a senior fellow in the Political Reform program at New America, where he focuses on electoral reform, Congress, and democratic health. He writes the newsletter Undercurrent Events and co-hosts the podcast Politics in Question. And he is the author of The Business of America is Lobbying and Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America. The whole issue of gerrymandering is really just an outgrowth of this way that we use single-winner districts with winner-take-all votes. It’s also what entrenches the two-party system in the US, which limits the choice of voters. So there’s this one weird voting mechanism that we have that most countries have gotten rid of, that is an antiquated voting system, that preserves the two-party system and makes gerrymandering just inevitable—and that’s the use of single-member districts. Now, in a proportional system, you take away the districts, and you do this statewide, you can carve up larger states into a few multi-member districts. And then seats get allocated proportionally by party share. That takes away the entire incentive of gerrymandering, it gives voters everywhere meaningful choices, meaningful votes, and it is just a superior system of representing the pluralism and diversity of our pluralistic and diverse society. Lee Drutman People like the idea of proportional representation as basic fairness—that people think that parties should get seats in proportion to the share of votes they get. I did some polling on it a few years ago, and I’m hoping to do a little bit more… But I think that one of the challenges is people don’t entirely understand how it works. And so it’s a challenge to poll people on a concept that they don’t know about. But I think more and more people understand it. And from the polling I’ve seen, at a principles-based level, people get the idea that proportionality is a form of fairness, and people like fairness. Lee Drutman Katy O’Donnell is the editorial director at Haymarket Books, a radical, independent, nonprofit book publisher based in Chicago. News 5/22/26 * Our first story this week has to do with what appears to be the impending downfall of ultrazionist media personality, Bari Weiss. Weiss, who resigned from the New York Times to found the Free Press and then sold that venture to become “Editor-in-Chief” for CBS News under the Ellison regime, is reportedly facing down the barrel of her role being scaled back substantially. Puck reports “As Paramount closes in on its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery…members of the senior leadership team have had informal discussions about changing Bari’s mandate at CBS News—and, eventually, CNN—in ways that would give her less control over the linear product.” This piece cites her missteps stewarding CBS News, including her inability to improve the ratings for Evening News, even failing to secure new anchor Tony Dokoupil a travel visa to China in time for President Trump’s recent visit to the People’s Republic. While a total dismissal of Weiss seems unlikely in the near future, such a dramatic reduction in her clout would constitute a tremendous, humbling blow. * Moving to state-level news, last week, Colorado Democratic Governor Jared Polis announced he would be commuting the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for tampering with voting systems to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the Centennial State. Peters will now be eligible for parole June 1st. This move has been widely condemned, most notably by the Colorado Democratic Party which voted by a margin of over 90% to officially censure Polis. In a statement, the CDP wrote, “Reducing [Peters’] sentence now, under pressure from Donald Trump, is not justice…It sends a message to future bad actors that election tampering has consequences, unless you’re friends with the president.” According to NBC, the CDP also banned Polis from being able to “participate as an honored guest, speaker or officially recognized representative of the Colorado Democratic Party at party-sponsored functions.” * In more positive state-level news, NPR reports Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed a bill banning prediction market sites like Polymarket and Kalshi – which allow consumers to “place…wager[s] on…future outcome[s], like sports, elections, live entertainment” – from operating in the North Star State. This makes Minnesota the first state in the nation to ban the prediction betting platforms. As this story notes, the Trump administration is pursuing legal action on behalf of the platforms, ensuring a legal battle over whether states can act to protect their own consumers from these predatory betting services. Minnesota Rep. Emma Greenman, who introduced the measure, is quoted as saying, “We as a state should decide how best and what regulations we think should attach to gambling, to protect public safety, to protect our kids.” The administration, meanwhile, specifically the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is arguing in court that prediction market industry regulation should be the sole preserve of the federal government. * Looking toward Congress, this week saw a number of high-profile primaries, including in the state of Pennsylvania. Leading up to that primary, the Pennsylvania machine went all out against the congressional campaign of State Representative Chris Rabb. Rabb, who had won the endorsements of everyone from AOC and Rashida Tlaib to Jamie Raskin and Philly DSA to the Philadelphia Inquirer, was targeted by a barrage of anonymous text messages to Philadelphia voters accusing him of “spreading conspiracy theories and holding extremist views,” per the Inquirer. What is remarkable about this smear campaign, however, is that it was organized by Philadelphia’s Democratic City Committee and that it violated federal election law by failing to disclose that fact. In another troubling portend of things to come, one of the texts featured an “AI-generated image of Rabb acknowledging his supposed lack of legislative accomplishments in Harrisburg.” Rumors have long circulated that Governor Josh Shapiro wanted Rabb to lose, and worked the backrooms to this end while avoiding public statements. * Yet, despite all of that, Rabb prevailed – winning over his two establishment-backed opponents with around 45% of the vote compared to his opponents, who each won approximately 30% and 24% respectively. The Pennsylvania primaries turned out to be a good night for progressives more generally, with Bob Brooks – a firefighter’s union chief and former state rep. who successfully united the Democratic Party behind him, winning the endorsements of both Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator Bernie Sanders. Brooks will face off against freshman Republican Congressman Ryan Mackenzie in November in the R+1 seventh district of Pennsylvania, while Rabb’s general election campaign is seen as little more than a formality in the D+40 PA-03. * Yet, if it was a good streak for Democratic progressives, it was a very bad one for Trump critics within the GOP. This week, Thomas Massie lost his primary in Kentucky’s fourth congressional district, buckling under the war chest deployed against him in what amounted to the most expensive House primary on record. Massie joked that “My vote was never for sale, so they bought a congressional seat. They found out what it cost.” Massie, perhaps Trump’s most formidable intra-party opponent in the House during his second term, worked with Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna on bills ranging from the Epstein Files Transparency Act to War Powers Resolutions related to the administration’s actions in Venezuela and Iran. In retaliation, Trump made it clear that he would go to any lengths to ensure Massie would not be reelected. That said, Massie will remain in the House until January and has indicated that he will make that time as painful for Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson as he possibly can. Moreover, during his concession speech, Massie’s supporters chanted for him to run for president in 2028, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Whether he is even entertaining that thought is unclear, but if he did run as a right-wing independent candidate, one could easily imagine him capturing a large enough share of the vote to deny certain states to the Republican nominee. Meanwhile, his ally across the aisle, Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, said in a statement that Massie “lost because he had the guts to stand up to the Epstein class and against the war…He won voters under 45 by 30 points…Tonight, I say to [his] voters who feel rejected by Trump. We welcome you. Join our coalition to take on a rotten system and stand for the working class over the Epstein class.” * Massie isn’t the only Republican targeted in the latest round of Trump purges. Downballot, Trump loyalists have ousted the Indiana Republicans who resisted Trump’s pressure to implement mid-decade redistricting, but the real scalps he is claiming are in the Senate. Last weekend, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana lost his primary runoff. Fox reports this makes Cassidy the “first elected Republican senator to lose renomination since Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana in 2012.” Trump wasted no time in dancing on Cassidy’s political grave, writing on Truth Social, “His disloyalty to the man who got him elected is now a part of a legend, and it’s nice to see that his political career is OVER!” His supposed disloyalty, of course, refers to Cassidy’s vote to convict Trump in the Senate trial for his second impeachment following January 6th. Former Senator Mitt Romney, who also voted to convict, is quoted in this article saying that Cassidy is a “person of character,” and that his “departure is a loss for the country.” Cassidy, however, is likely soon to be joined by longtime Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn. Cornyn is currently making his last stand against scandal-ridden Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in that runoff election. Trump has long prevaricated regarding whether and whom he would endorse in this race, at times leaning towards either candidate but remaining neutral up until this week, when he formally gave the nod to Paxton, per the Texas Tribune. This move has caused great consternation amongst Senate Republicans and cautious optimism among Democrats, who see Paxton as the weaker opponent to go up against Democratic nominee James Talarico in November – giving Democrats their best chance in years to flip a Senate seat in Texas. * What Cornyn’s next move will be is a mystery, especially as he has not yet officially lost the Texas primary. Cassidy, however, appears to have chosen the Massie route of going down fighting. This week, Cassidy flipped his position to become the deciding vote in favor of the Senate War Powers Resolution on Iran – successfully pushing it through along with support from fellow Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul, despite disloyal opposition from Democratic Senator John Fetterman. The measure was then sent back to the House, but fearful it might actually pass – Democratic holdout Jared Golden had vowed to vote yes, and war-weary House Republicans Thomas Massie, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Barrett were all signaling their support – leadership abruptly canceled the vote, per MSN. * One factor cited in the Republicans’ calculus around this latest War Powers push was the absences of Members of Congress. In their view, the absences would have given Democrats the votes they needed to win. Two of these absences have garnered substantial attention in the media: those of Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey and Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson of Florida. The 83-year-old Wilson, who was missing for a month with little public acknowledgment or explanation, has finally resurfaced, saying that she was undergoing a major eye surgery but still plans to seek reelection. In a remarkably tone-deaf comment, a source close to the Congresswoman was quoted in Axios saying “missing votes is not a sign she’s sick or retiring…She shows up when she wants to.” Still, at least her absence has been explained and she has now returned to her duties in the House. Congressman Kean’s disappearance is more mysterious. As of May 21st, Kean has not “been seen in Washington for more than 75 days,” NOTUS reports. When his absence first began to gain media traction, his Chief of Staff added fuel to the fire with the cryptic remark “there are no cameras where Tom is.” Now it is being reported that his neighbors back in New Jersey haven’t seen hide nor hair either. There has been some indication that Kean is dealing with a personal or medical issue, but Speaker Mike Johnson claims to have no knowledge of the particulars. It is not controversial to say that being an American Member of Congress is too important to simply be AWOL for long periods of time, especially without deigning to explain why to one’s constituents. Something must be done. * Finally, we turn to Latin America, where former president Evo Morales has leveled claims that the government of his native Bolivia, in coordination with the DEA and the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is plotting to “detain or kill” him, TeleSUR reports. According to this report, “Morales detailed specific military units allegedly involved, including the Army’s Ninth Division in the tropical region under Colonel Franz Andrade Loza, whom he said the government promised to promote to general and appoint as armed forces commander ‘if he finishes off Evo.’” Morales also “cited an F-10 unit under Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Giménez Ortuño,” a former aide to the defense minister in the government of the unelected U.S.-backed regime of Jeanine Áñez. These allegations sound somewhat outlandish, but in a moment when the U.S. has recently kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, worked to undermine the governments of Mexico and Colombia via the Hondurasgate scheme, and just recently moved to indict 94 year old Raúl Castro for his role in an incident three decades ago when the Cuban government downed a civilian aircraft that entered their sovereign airspace, it does not seem so far fetched. This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven’t Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe This content originally appeared on Ralph Nader Radio Hour and was authored by Ralph Nader.
The amplification machine: Who spread a fake rare earths conspiracy across X and Facebook? Who was behind it?
This is the third and final part of a three-part investigation. In Part One, we traced how a fabricated “exclusive investigation” alleging a secret India-Kachin Independence Army rare earths conspiracy... The post The amplification machine: Who spread a fake rare earths conspiracy across X and Facebook? Who was behind it? appeared first on Alt News.
This is the third and final part of a three-part investigation. In Part One, we traced how a fabricated “exclusive investigation” alleging a secret India-Kachin Independence Army rare earths conspiracy first appeared on Tech Bullion on November 18, 2025, and spread within eight days to four more pay-to-publish websites run by Pakistan- and Nepal-based SEO networks. In Part Two, we examined the unsubstantiated claims in the story and how the story jumped in December to regional newsrooms in Myanmar and northeast India, including CNI Myanmar and Eleven Media Group, with none of them contacting the Indian Embassy or the KIA for comment. By that point the story had appeared on nine outlets in total. Not one provided evidence when asked. Three deleted it without explanation. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Coordinated Inauthentic Distribution on X Beginning two weeks after the story’s initial publication, it was shared in four coordinated waves on X. These posts almost entirely follow the same pattern: Screenshots of one or more versions of the article, accompanied by summaries of the allegations and common hashtags. This investigation identified 78 unique accounts that shared versions of the article. A review of the “about” tab (a feature which X introduced in November of 2025) of these accounts showed that the majority of them are based in Pakistan. A further 20 accounts that shared the article have since been suspended. No direct links to the Pakistani government were identified, but some of the accounts shared other content which showed similarities to Pakistani government PR messaging. This investigation also found that 19 of the total 78 accounts that shared the article are geo-blocked in India, meaning that users in India cannot view their content. In 2025, following the outbreak of hostilities between India and Pakistan, X geo-blocked thousands of accounts in response to orders from the Indian government. In an attempt to understand whether any of the accounts that shared the KIA-India conspiracy article had been geo-blocked in relation to these orders, an information request was submitted to India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. In a written response, the ministry stated that because the inquiry touched on matters related to the sovereignty, integrity, security and strategic interests of India, the information sought was exempt from disclosure requirements under the Right to Information Act. This investigation did not conduct an exhaustive search of all X accounts which posted versions of the article, but merely sought to analyze a representative sample. The first wave of distribution on X occurred on December 2, 2025, when at least 59 X accounts originating in Pakistan shared versions of the article along with the hashtag #StopIndiaHegemony. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315457" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-64.jpg" alt="" width="2412" height="972" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-64.jpg 2412w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-64-300x121.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-64-1024x413.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-64-768x309.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-64-1536x619.jpg 1536w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-64-2048x825.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2412px) 100vw, 2412px" /> On December 4, at least six X accounts shared the article, with the hashtag #DefendMyanmarSovereignty. At least five of these accounts originated in Pakistan. <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315458" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-65.jpg" alt="" width="2412" height="967" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-65.jpg 2412w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-65-300x120.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-65-1024x411.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-65-768x308.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-65-1536x616.jpg 1536w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-65-2048x821.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2412px) 100vw, 2412px" /> On December 9, at least nine X accounts shared the article, also with the hashtag #DefendMyanmarSovereignty. At least eight of these accounts originated in Pakistan. <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315459" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-66.jpg" alt="" width="2412" height="942" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-66.jpg 2412w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-66-300x117.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-66-1024x400.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-66-768x300.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-66-1536x600.jpg 1536w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-66-2048x800.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2412px) 100vw, 2412px" /> On December 14 and 15, at least six X accounts made posts which reference an alleged rare earths conspiracy between India and the KIA, with the hashtag #MyanmarFactCheck. These posts do not include links to any articles or screenshots. At the time of analysis, the “about” section of these accounts indicated that three of these accounts originated in Singapore, two in France, and one did not list a location. All of these accounts also post content favorable toward the Myanmar military junta. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315460" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-67.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1355" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-67.jpg 1500w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-67-300x271.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-67-1024x925.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-67-768x694.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /> On Facebook Research conducted with assistance from Graphika identified 24 Facebook accounts originating in Pakistan which shared versions of the article on December 10, 2025, along with the hashtag #StopRareEarthExploitation. This investigation did not conduct an exhaustive search of all Facebook accounts which posted versions of the article, but merely sought to analyze a representative sample. As with the posts on X, no direct links to the Pakistani government were identified, but some of the accounts shared other content which showed similarities to Pakistani government PR messaging. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315461" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-10.jpg" alt="" width="2000" height="2000" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-10.jpg 2000w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-10-300x300.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-10-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-10-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-10-768x768.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-10-1536x1536.jpg 1536w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px" />This investigation was unable to identify the source of this influence campaign, but four primary, and possibly intersecting, possibilities emerged. They are presented here not as conclusive evidence or allegations, but as areas for further research. Possibility 1: Pakistan, and/or pro-Pakistan Networks Information wars between India and Pakistan go back decades, and intensified during armed hostilities in 2025. Research by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate, an independent nonprofit, found that X was the primary platform on which inauthentic material was spread at the time. The hashtag #StopIndiaHegemony was used in at least 64 posts which shared the KIA-India conspiracy story on X. While this in itself does not confirm whether the story originated from pro-Pakistan networks, it indicates a convergence of the story and anti-India propaganda interests. To date, there are few if any documented cases of the coordinated distribution of inauthentic news pertaining to Myanmar by Pakistan or pro-Pakistan networks. Angshuman Choudhury of the National University of Singapore noted that the KIA-India conspiracy story could represent “the early signs of a growing anti-India disinfo ecosystem in Pakistan that is venturing into new spaces.” Possibility 2: The Myanmar Military Junta, and/or Pro-junta Networks Another possibility is that the KIA-India conspiracy story originated elsewhere, and the Pakistan-origin X accounts offered a platform for distribution with converging interests. This possibility is supported by the content and framing of the articles and posts. They accuse the KIA and India of plotting to undermine Myanmar’s “sovereignty” in violation of international law, and highlight threats to regional stability. At least fifteen of the posts on X use the hashtag #DefendMyanmarSovereignty. While these details are insufficient to identify an author or motive, the Myanmar military and its supporters have a documented history of manipulating information to instigate conflict and consolidate power; the military even has a directorate of public relations and psychological warfare. Invoking national sovereignty and positioning the military as the guardian of stability are well-worn tools in the military’s playbook. Possibility 3: India-Myanmar Border Interests The India-Myanmar border, particularly where Myanmar’s Sagaing region meets India’s Manipur state, has seen a spike in disinformation in recent years, as part of a wider information war surrounding the Manipur conflict. While the KIA-India rare earths conspiracy piece does not primarily focus on this border, it does make specific claims that indicate a familiarity with political flashpoints in the region. In particular, the articles allege that the KIA agreed to support India in combating the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (Yung Aung) in Myanmar, and that the KIA gave its tacit support to India’s claims over contested territory in Myanmar’s Chin State and the Kabaw Valley. These topics rarely make headlines in mainstream Myanmar or India news, but two outlets that published the KIA-India rare earths conspiracy article, CNI Myanmar and the Ukhrul Times, focus on these border areas. The KIA-India conspiracy story’s mention of the NSCN-K(YA) and contested territory at the Manipur border, which have little to do with rare earths, suggests that the origin source of the story either had specific interests in these topics, or sought to exploit them toward another end. Possibility 4: China, and/or Pro-China Networks China, a longstanding rival of India, has one of the world’s most sophisticated and far-reaching propaganda apparatuses. China and pro-China networks have engaged in disinformation campaigns targeting India in the past; China also has a vested interest in maintaining dominance over rare earth supply chains originating in Myanmar. Choudhury of the National University of Singapore noted that China and pro-China networks would have both a motive and the means to orchestrate a disinformation campaign such as the KIA-India conspiracy story. “India’s outreach to the KIA could threaten China’s monopoly over the rare earth geographies in northern Myanmar,” he said, adding that China has a warm relationship with Pakistan, a key partner in its Belt and Road Initiative. “One wonders, without being too conspiratorial, if some form of coordinated, transnational disinformation network is at play here — one that seeks to hinder India’s attempts to secure rare earths from KIA-controlled areas in northern Myanmar.” Pro-China networks have engaged in influence operations regarding rare earths in the past. In 2022, research by the American cybersecurity firm Mandiant, a subsidiary of Google, found that a network of inauthentic online accounts favorable to the Chinese government had spread false information about foreign rare earth mining companies as part of a wider influence operation. Its methods, the study found, included “microtargeting” specific audiences as a way to manipulate public discourse. Whether the India-KIA rare earths story has links to pro-China networks remains unconfirmed, but this investigation, alongside research from Fulde-Hardy of Graphika, did identify two instances in which some of the same digital infrastructure was used to share unsubstantiated claims on other topics within the past year. In May of 2025, Tech Bullion published an article that alleged a conspiracy between Donald Trump Jr. and Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado involving rare earths. Like the India-KIA rare earths conspiracy story, Tech Bullion attributed the Trump Jr.-Machado conspiracy piece to Zeeshan Yousaf. Donald Trump Jr. rejected the article in a post on X; Tech Bullion took down the article after finding that it did not meet the site’s standards. In another similarity to the India-KIA rare earths conspiracy article, the Trump Jr.-Machado conspiracy article was published on Big News Network and attributed to BusinesNews Wire; the article has since been scrubbed from the Big News Network site. This investigation could not identify any evidence that the Trump Jr.-Machado conspiracy story was linked to pro-China networks. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315450 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-143802-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="456" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-143802-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-143802-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-143802-768x432.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-143802-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-143802-2048x1152.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> Archived version of the now-deleted article published on Tech Bullion on May 14, 2025 alleging a conspiracy between Donald Trump Jr. and María Corina Machado. This version was captured on Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library. Additional research conducted by Fulde-Hardy of Graphika, however, identified a separate case of shared publishing platforms with the India-KIA conspiracy story, which did involve Spamouflage networks. Last year, unsubstantiated claims targeting an aide to the Dalai Lama who has since passed away were published in articles on Big News Network and Daily Silicon Valley, as well as Think7Figures, a website run by Sujan Pariyar of the Silicon Valley Times. Fulde-Hardy also found that similar claims were amplified by X accounts very likely located in Pakistan, and that some of these X accounts linked to Fiverr accounts in their bios, indicating that they may publish paid content. One of these X accounts also shared links to a Pakistan-based PR company called Zubish Digital. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315451" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-63.jpg" alt="" width="2364" height="1159" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-63.jpg 2364w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-63-300x147.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-63-1024x502.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-63-768x377.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-63-1536x753.jpg 1536w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-63-2048x1004.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2364px) 100vw, 2364px" /> Further research by Fulde-Hardy found that links to domains for articles about the Dalai Lama’s former aide, along with cartoons and hashtags, were spread on Instagram, Tumblr, Reddit and the Japanese picture-sharing platform Pixiv. “The dissemination of the content on these specific platforms, the cartoons and accounts’ characteristics are typical of Spamouflage’s characteristics that we monitor,” she said. An archived list of the posts on X and Facebook which shared versions of the article, or referenced its claims, in coordinated waves. Most of the accounts show a base in Pakistan. X Post Archive Username Account based in Current Status https://archive.is/CPHNk @1feaz UAE Active https://archive.is/5A1eL @aleena_malik_29 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/VUk4a @isthatmish South Asia Active https://archive.is/mAkud @honey_bieee Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/oFEvB @ewfati_ Pakistan Active https://archive.is/rNDxG @hajraismaill Pakistan Active https://archive.is/g4imo @hadeenknwthat Pakistan Active https://archive.is/XGV1c @il_jant Pakistan Active https://archive.is/MXAPU @RandomBytes1 Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/O2URi @OnlyMySay Pakistan Active https://archive.is/5HJzi @DoctorAmna11 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/LhIdp @huss_nain01 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/pO1QP @ifrahz27 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/v4ZUZ @ShahzainSpeakin Pakistan Active https://archive.is/mojKo @famflys Pakistan Active https://archive.is/l5AF2 @QundanZahra Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/IicYX @shahidaa_1 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/xyRNF @SabbMoody Pakistan Active https://archive.is/oUQDL @khawajaMAjmal Pakistan Active https://archive.is/PAP3O @_XFNX Pakistan Active https://archive.is/gXet0 @rose132003 Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/7gyjp @abdelsaidi Pakistan Active https://archive.is/XzR8O @Nadia_Malik23 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/MjX4Z @Da_Fiaa Pakistan Active https://archive.is/1KwbA @SyedaNoooral Pakistan Active https://archive.is/fBQoX @Naveed_Ahmad_A Pakistan Active https://archive.is/Lu8St @moodmelody_ Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/T892n @RanaRaheel44 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/xDOE6 @RanaRaheel44 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/NAsTR @ohstfuffs Pakistan Active https://archive.is/8MUuI @OhLadyMania Pakistan Active https://archive.is/X3zjq @Hussnainsays_ Pakistan Active https://archive.is/6oRoY @iamsam044 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/w4QO1 @itsokeridz Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/XKQe4 @ahsanumartv Pakistan Active https://archive.is/hR8wB @dontbepossesive Pakistan Active https://archive.is/xOMLm @Desi_Aesthetic Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/cl6oM @abdul_Note Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/ft5qR @rouhi_13 Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/hzpsf @mr_annonymous1 Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/wtoGj @EvaFollowHelp Pakistan Active https://archive.is/Yb263 @knda__2 Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/BGHJM @Kinza045 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/rZ1zb @Plato_2024 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/s2GzS @TheAmmadFiles Pakistan Active https://archive.is/HWFNW @nusratsid1 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/xdkCE @moodmelody_ Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/8MyWR @Desi_Aesthetic Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/qEDt8 @baharatkibeti Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/sJXvw @RanaRaheel44 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/eShKi @Plato_2024 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/z2e2w @1feaz UAE Active https://archive.is/dwTFf @EmmaaAlii72 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/83wx7 @shahidaa_1 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/KsQ9s @zarnishhoon Pakistan Active https://archive.is/nEMHP @iamsam044 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/OkL7S @iqrytweets Pakistan Active https://archive.is/FGKXY @hadeenknwthat Pakistan Active https://archive.is/r6olR @Shoa_70 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/JZSOn @1viplul Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/XRc1K @famflys Pakistan Active https://archive.is/7xTcl @sheikh_hon_yaar Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/RJILd @ShahzainSpeakin Pakistan Active X accounts withheld in India https://archive.is/WIT3U @Lehriish Pakistan Active https://archive.is/9eQce @foodiegiirl Pakistan Active https://archive.is/m6apB @Zahra__Sherazi Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/NL9PE @amiryseen Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/PRtQ2 @insiyaa_talks Singapore Active https://archive.is/uoNus @Mubashar_saysss Pakistan Active https://archive.is/U4MUv @emafatima_22 Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/9YL8z @Hi_AQiiB Pakistan Active https://archive.is/MqLKB @tahirbaloch110 Pakistan Active https://archive.is/Ov5LZ @Ambreensmagic Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/2npZm @M_Qasim_Ali_ Pakistan Active https://archive.is/4sJ0K @RT10Aisha Pakistan Active https://archive.is/5vo1r @Maryam_Mehmod Pakistan Suspended https://archive.is/u8JqN @_outSight Pakistan Active https://archive.is/wboru @Peggy__Here Pakistan Active https://archive.is/xd3sb @rjshahbaz02 South Asia Active https://archive.is/XT2Se @Rooh_a_Ishq Pakistan Active https://archive.is/cN16i @etcFatima Pakistan Active https://archive.is/Pf1Ik @Feelingless_hun Pakistan Suspended Facebook Page/Account Post Archive Account/Page based in Current Status Tere Bin https://archive.is/uN9yg Pakistan Active Ayesha Ali https://archive.is/7FAzb Pakistan Active Sagar Samy https://archive.is/sPxRp Pakistan Active Sammer Iqbal https://archive.is/QEvQD Pakistan Active Ashuu Ayesha https://archive.is/8Gt6M Pakistan Active Amiya Younas https://archive.is/UdHKH Pakistan Active World Cricket Analysis https://archive.is/aalZs Pakistan Active Sheikh Says https://archive.is/aUhVN Pakistan/USA Active Uswa’s World https://archive.is/HQfp0 Pakistan Active Sehrish Butt https://archive.is/1EODb Pakistan Active Memes by touseeq https://archive.is/PIzat Pakistan Active Sam Tweets https://archive.is/5mukS Pakistan Active Nimal Khan https://archive.is/n8oxm Pakistan Active Ahsan Umar https://archive.is/ULCXd Pakistan Active Zoya Rehman https://archive.is/R4QM7 Pakistan Active Aesthetic https://archive.is/CjRKk Pakistan Active Punjabianzx https://archive.is/cb84E Pakistan Active Ishq Hai Drama https://archive.is/DUNvo Pakistan Active The Lamest https://archive.is/G2Mxt Pakistan Active Sana SaraAli https://archive.is/lz6aT Pakistan Active Stolen Meme https://archive.is/Y4KNC Pakistan/Bangladesh Active MS Graphic Designing https://archive.is/6nnSt Pakistan Active Emily Fishbein is a freelance journalist and fellow with the Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Investigations Network. Jauman Naw is a freelance journalist from Myanmar. The post The amplification machine: Who spread a fake rare earths conspiracy across X and Facebook? Who was behind it? appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Abhishek Kumar.
AIPAC And AI Groups Are Hiding Political Spends Behind ‘Pop-up Super PACs’ #politics #trump
This content originally appeared on The Intercept and was authored by The Intercept.
Pesta Babi doco stirs West Papuan development debates and ‘crackdown’
Asia Pacific Report Pesta Babi (Pig feast), the controversial Papuan documentary film critical of a major development project impacting on the environment in the southeastern Melanesian region, is stirring public debate and a “crackdown” across Indonesia. The film caused a stir when it had its premiere in New Zealand in March and was described in
Asia Pacific Report Pesta Babi (Pig feast), the controversial Papuan documentary film critical of a major development project impacting on the environment in the southeastern Melanesian region, is stirring public debate and a “crackdown” across Indonesia. The film caused a stir when it had its premiere in New Zealand in March and was described in a review by Asia Pacific Report as “exposing oligarchs, food security crisis and ecocide under the noses of the military”. Screenings followed in Australia but there have been reports of a backlash in some parts of Indonesia and some public shows being shut down. READ MORE: West Papuan doco Pig Feast exposes oligarchs, food security crisis and ecocide under noses of military Army chief denies direct central command over Pesta Babi film crackdown Other Pesta Babi reports However, the Indonesian military denied they were responsible for the crackdown, blaming some local authorities. An Al Jazeera television report said Indonesian authorities had shut down several screenings of the documentary about alleged human rights abuses in Papua, including Indigenous land seizures. It noted that human rights groups and international media still faced restricted access to the Papuan region, which is mainly referred to as “West Papua” in Pacific countries. Pesta Babi is focused on the largest forest conversion project in modern history in a remote are near Merauke — turning 2.5 million ha of tropical forest into industrial plantations under the guise of “food security” and the “energy transition”. Footage of village resistance Dramatic footage of scenes show Indigenous village resisters against the massive destruction of rainforest in one of the three largest “lungs of the world”, shipping of barge-loads of heavy machinery, vast swathes of forest scoured out for rice and palm oil plantations, and of a traditional “pig feast” — the first in a decade. Papuan environmental film ‘blocked’ Video: Al Jazeera In an editorial last week, The Jakarta Post said: “A series of crackdowns on public screenings and discussions of the documentary film Pesta Babi (Pig Feast) serves as a grim reminder that the nation’s democratic progress is not only stalling but effectively backsliding.” Indnesian Army Chief-of-Staff General Maruli Simanjuntak said there had been “no direct instructions from the central military command to shut down public screenings of the documentary film Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita (Pig Party: Colonialism in Our Era). <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-128356 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/General-Maruli-Simanjuntak-Polri-680wide.png" alt="Indonesia's General Maruli Simanjuntak" width="680" height="449" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/General-Maruli-Simanjuntak-Polri-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/General-Maruli-Simanjuntak-Polri-680wide-300x198.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/General-Maruli-Simanjuntak-Polri-680wide-636x420.png 636w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Indonesia’s General Maruli Simanjuntak . . . “The shutdowns came from local administrations to maintain regional safety.” Image: inp.polri.go.id “The shutdowns came from local administrations to maintain regional safety,” he said at the House of Representatives in Jakarta, according to antaranews.com. “It is the responsibility of the regional coordinator … who deemed there was a risk of rioting. There was no direct instruction.” Coordinating Minister for Legal and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra described the title of the film as “provocative” but denied there was a formal ban on screening it. ‘Important educational film’ Jubi News reports from Manokwari, West Papua, that a member of Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) for West Papua, Filep Wamafma, welcomed the documentary as an “important educational medium” to open public discussion about development issues facing Papuans. Wamafma said this after attending a public screening of the documentary at the School of Law (STIH) campus in Wosi, Manokwari Regency, last Monday. The screening was organised by the academic community from Manokwari School of Law in collaboration with academics from Universitas Papua. Participants included students, lecturers, activists, and members of the public. Wamafma said social conflicts arising from competition over natural resources and economic interests occured not only in Papua but also in many parts of the world. However, he stressed that Papua’s problems had “unique characteristics” needing serious attention. “This is a real global phenomenon, but each region has different problems. This film provides a concrete picture of the issues currently faced by Papuan society,” Wamafma said. He encouraged students, especially law students, to approach the issues raised in the documentary through academic and constitutional perspectives. Students, he said, should develop systematic analytical thinking by examining facts, legal norms, conducting analysis, and drawing conclusions. The documentary has been made by award-winning investigative filmmaker Dandhy Dwi Laksono and producer Victor Mambor, founder of Jubi Media, who first visited New Zealand 12 years ago. Pesta Babi film review This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Solar to overtake coal on Texas grid for the first time ever this year
The Trump administration likes to cast renewables as a socialist scam, but solar has soared in the competitive markets of the Lone Star State.
The Texas sun keeps rising, as Texas coal wanes. For the first time ever, solar is set to generate more electricity than coal in the power market managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT. Nobody is building new coal power plants in the state, but developers are adding more solar there than anywhere else in the country. As a result of those diverging trajectories, the federal government expects ERCOT will receive 78 billion kilowatt-hours from solar in 2026 and just 60 from coal. This trend does have seasonal variations. Last year, solar output beat coal on a monthly basis from March through August, and this year it is expected to do so from March through December, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, or EIA, at the Department of Energy. Nationally, the combination of wind and solar surpassed coal generation in 2024, as noted in an analysis by Ember, a think tank that conducts research on clean energy. In other words, the solar industry is further along in Texas than it is nationwide. The Texas solar surge undercuts the prevailing energy narratives coming out of the Trump administration, which has attempted to boost coal and gas as tools of ​“energy dominance,” while blocking or canceling American energy that comes from renewables. The Department of Energy, for instance, is keeping struggling coal plants on life support at great expense to taxpayers. Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior is blocking wind and solar developments that intersect with public lands. Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/260320_BALCONYSOLAR.03XX26_1031_bb.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/260320_BALCONYSOLAR.03XX26_1031_bb.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 3500w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/260320_BALCONYSOLAR.03XX26_1031_bb.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/260320_BALCONYSOLAR.03XX26_1031_bb.jpg?resize=330%2C220&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/260320_BALCONYSOLAR.03XX26_1031_bb.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/260320_BALCONYSOLAR.03XX26_1031_bb.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/260320_BALCONYSOLAR.03XX26_1031_bb.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=75&strip=all 2048w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/260320_BALCONYSOLAR.03XX26_1031_bb.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="2333" width="3500" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> How deep-red Utah helped launch a portable plug-in solar movement Leia Larsen Trump officials have argued that coal is more reliable than solar because it can generate power around the clock. But even with that advantage, coal plants in Texas can’t keep up with the total annual and monthly production from the rapidly growing solar fleet. This has not damaged grid reliability, because ERCOT meets evening demand with a diverse portfolio, including gas plants, nuclear, wind, and, increasingly, batteries, which store all that excess solar power for use when the sun stops shining. Of course, Texas leaders did not set out to disprove the Trump administration’s energy claims. The maverick Lone Star State kept its electricity system out of the hands of federal regulators, and in the 1990s and early 2000s reformed it to promote free market competition instead of centralized planning by monopoly utilities. That market, coupled with lots of space and lax building regulations, has made an ideal environment for wind, solar, and batteries to flourish. Now, Texas is fortified with tens of gigawatts of new capacity with which to tackle heat waves and temper price spikes. Deep-red Texas offers lessons for the liberal states that have committed to lofty climate goals yet failed to build much solar or batteries so far. They can’t immediately switch over to an ERCOT-style market, but they can take steps to speed up the time it takes to get permits and grid connection, dial back the level of deference to habitually conservative legacy utilities, and make sure that clean energy gets a fair shot in the race to serve surging energy needs. And it’s always a good time to reexamine old market rules that subtly privilege entrenched players at the expense of new entrants that would make cheaper and cleaner power. After more of the rapid-fire solar buildout, EIA expects ERCOT will produce 99 billion kilowatt-hours of solar power in 2027, up 27 percent from 2026. At that point, the upstart industry will have left its well-established coal competition in the dust. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Solar to overtake coal on Texas grid for the first time ever this year on May 23, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Julian Spector, Canary Media.
Virginia law advances the cause but what is needed is federal action.
Virginia law advances the cause but what is needed is federal action. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Eileen Appelbaum.
The Missing Girls of Central Asia | Why Families Abort Daughters
Flotilla activists tasered, sedated, sexually assaulted – Israeli prison service claims brutal abuse ‘justified’
SPECIAL REPORT: By Nadda Osman Activists freed from Israeli detention following the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have reported that they were subjected to physical and sexual abuse, say flotilla organisers — with at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape. “At least 15 cases of sexual assaults, including rape. Shot with rubber bullets
SPECIAL REPORT: By Nadda Osman Activists freed from Israeli detention following the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla have reported that they were subjected to physical and sexual abuse, say flotilla organisers — with at least 15 reporting sexual assaults, including rape. “At least 15 cases of sexual assaults, including rape. Shot with rubber bullets at close range. Tens of people’s bones broken,” organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla posted on Telegram. “While the world’s eye is trained on the suffering of our participants, we cannot emphasize enough that this is a mere glimpse of the brutality Israel imposes daily on Palestinian hostages,” the statement added. READ MORE: ‘It’s worse for Palestinians,’ says Australian flotilla activist about Israeli torture Gaza flotilla activists allege abuse, sexual assault in Israeli detention Shameen Suleman: Outrage over the flotilla activists but where were they for Palestinians? Israel’s $700m Hasbara fiasco – how Ben-Gvir’s flotilla abuse video stirred backlash Other Gaza flotilla reports The reports come after the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) on Wednesday doubled down on its abusive treatment of activists forcibly detained, despite scores of testimonies detailing beatings, interrogation and humiliation as well as rape and sexual abuse. The IPS responded to a barrage of global criticism after a video showed far-right Israel National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting the flotilla detainees as they were being handcuffed, pushed, dragged and assaulted. A group of Australian citizens were kidnapped on international waters and beaten senseless on camera by their captors – Israel The most prominent Israel advocate in Australia – Jillian Segal – has so far said nothing about the welfare of her fellow Australian citizens nor… pic.twitter.com/deibOB3nhC — Ronni Salt-WhoWroteGunnawahYeahThatOne (@RonniSalt) May 23, 2026 “Upon receiving the detainees, the prison guards were required to act to maintain order and security at the site. All actions were carried out in accordance with procedures and professional considerations,” the IPS claimed. The IPS also claimed that some of the detainees being shown in widely circulating videos were “not under the responsibility” of the IPS when they were being filmed. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128342" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Australian-detainees-10-680wide.png" alt=""Australia has raised our concerns with Israeli authorities about the treatment of detainees ..."" width="680" height="403" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Australian-detainees-10-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Australian-detainees-10-680wide-300x178.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> “Australia has raised our concerns with Israeli authorities about the treatment of detainees …” says Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Image: 10 screenshot APR Rights groups say abuse ‘systematic’ However, rights groups have accused Israel of making humiliation, sexual abuse and torture of detainees and prisoners systematic. Dr Mimi Syed, a US-based physician who volunteered in Gaza amid Israel’s war on the besieged enclave, told The New Arab that Israel’s treatment of those aboard the flotilla is illegal. “You cannot treat activists and humanitarian workers this way. It’s absolutely outrageous how there’s witnesses saying that people were raped and obvious signs of force being used — I saw some of the photos of the activists which show signs of bruising and fractures, things like that which are absolutely unnecessary,” she said. “There is video recording of officials deliberately assaulting some of these activists which is just unheard of. “I’m not surprised as this is something the Israeli government has been doing to civilians in Gaza, so doing to activists in other countries is still right on par with what they have demonstrated to the world in the last two and a half years,” she said. Several photos and videos shared this week on social media showed flotilla activists being forced to kneel down with their heads on the ground, while Israeli prison officers are surrounding them. The footage, some of which was shared by minister Ben-Gvir, was condemned by several states, while Poland, France, Italy, Canada, Australia, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK summoned Israeli ambassadors to “clarify” why their citizens were mistreated. ‘Complete impunity’ The liberal Israeli newspaper Haaretz asked the country’s foreign ministry if the treatment of the flotilla activists was acceptable, but there was no response. “When a country has complete impunity to do what they want, nothing really is out of bounds for them,” Dr Syed said. “They will do what they need to achieve their goal which is a land grab, ethnic cleansing, genocide, the displacement of millions of people. It’s not just in Gaza, it’s in the West Bank and Lebanon.” Activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were taken to Istanbul before returning to their countries, also revealed on Friday that the abuse they faced included rubber bullets being fired at close range, tasers to the face, stun grenades thrown into groups of people, stress positions for hours under bright lights, the forced removal of hijabs and sexual taunting. They said the sexual violence included strip searches, groping, the pulling of genitals, and rape. According to organisers, based on testimonies from those released from detention, some of the most horrifying accounts come from those aboard a single vessel, dubbed “torture boat”. “I can say that all were in many ways abused, not one single person walking with nothing,” Veronica Otero, told reporters. “Among them there were 36 fractures, many broken ribs, torso, shoulders, and back. People were in agony. People were not breathing [due to the broken ribs].” <img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128343" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Australian-bruising-10-680wide.png" alt="An Australian Gaza flotilla activist shows off the bruising on his arm from a beating from the Israeli prison guards" width="680" height="561" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Australian-bruising-10-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Australian-bruising-10-680wide-300x248.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Australian-bruising-10-680wide-509x420.png 509w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> An Australian Gaza flotilla activist shows off the bruising on his arm from a beating from the Israeli prison guards. Image: 10 screenshot APR Testimonies of abuse, rape More than 50 boats took part in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), with 430 people on board from more than 40 countries, and since armed Israeli naval commandos began intercepting the fleet in international waters, many have detailed the abuse they faced. One Australian activist, Zack Schofield, who had since been deported to Istanbul and has now returned to Australia, said all the members of the flotilla were treated brutally. “Her hands [and] feet were zip-tied together, and then she was dragged around the rest of the processing centre, before she was taken into a prison bus,” he told reporters, referring to an abused Irish woman who was part of the flotilla group. “There’s no consistency to the violence. It was really at the whim of whichever guard was in front of you,” he continued, adding that he saw many people receive similar or worse treatment. Juliet Lamont, a filmmaker from Australia, said Israeli soldiers sexually assaulted and beat her, noting she witnessed others — at least 40 — being left with broken bones, while others were sedated and tasered. The activists said prison guards restricted access to food and water, and were left to sleep on cold, wet floors for days with no mattress or blankets, in cramped conditions. We do not need any more examples to know that we are dealing with a terrorist state! There is a long, documented history of systemic violence perpetrated by the Israeli regime against the Palestinian people with absolute impunity. pic.twitter.com/JIPvZf2Rqp — Thiago Ávila (@thiagoavilabr) May 23, 2026 Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila told The New Arab he was beaten unconscious and Israeli forces threatened to kill him. Meanwhile, Luca Poggi, an Italian economist who was aboard the flotilla, confirmed the reports of sexual abuse: “We were stripped, thrown to the ground, kicked. “Many of us were tasered, some were sexually assaulted, and some were denied access to a lawyer,” he told reporters after he was deported to Rome. Nadda Osman is a British-Egyptian journalist and editor based in London. She holds a degree in English and journalism and reports on the Middle East and North Africa. Republished from The New Arab. Australian members of the Gaza flotilla arrived back home today and told news media of their abuse. Two of the three New Zealand members of the flotilla are due to arrive back in Auckland early tomorrow afternoon. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Chambers backs Pacific police leaders confronting corruption challenges amid drug trade concerns
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says Pacific Island nations are addressing corruption among their police and customs officials. Chambers has concluded a trip to Suva, Fiji, for the inaugural Pacific Transnational Crime Summit, which brought together Pacific police chiefs, ministers and prime ministers to discuss what is now
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says Pacific Island nations are addressing corruption among their police and customs officials. Chambers has concluded a trip to Suva, Fiji, for the inaugural Pacific Transnational Crime Summit, which brought together Pacific police chiefs, ministers and prime ministers to discuss what is now a “destination market” for drugs and human trafficking. He said there was a willingness among police chiefs, most of whom are dealing with corruption in their ranks, to discuss these issues with humility. READ MORE: Other Fiji crime reports “We appreciate that it’s pretty hard sometimes to turn down an offer of a large sum of money when the incomes that many police staff earn aren’t great,” Chambers said. “New Zealand will support our Pacific neighbours when it comes to particular problems, and that’s not new; we’ve done that for many years.” New Zealand Police have confirmed their involvement in a six-month investigation into 11 Fiji police officers who were allegedly involved with Auckland-based drug dealers. The investigation followed a leak of more than 100 text screenshots depicting officers accepting bribes and tipping people off about impending raids. No specifics Chambers refused to provide any specifics about that case or any others in which New Zealand may be involved. However, he said that he had “absolute trust” in the Fiji Police Force and its Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu. “He talks quite openly about the challenges that he’s encountered as the commissioner there, and what he’s doing to stamp it out,” Chambers said. “I’ve been a police officer for 30 years, and over that time I’ve done a lot of work with Fiji … I’ve never experienced any issues myself.” The Pacific is a strategic transit point for traffickers both in Southeast Asia and Central America. Referred to colloquially by officials and experts as the “narco highway”, product is funnelled through Pacific communities on its way to Australia and New Zealand, where street prices are among the highest in the world. Chambers’ Australian counterpart Krissy Barrett called this her “nation’s shame”, making for a “moral responsibility” to act. Australia has previously committed AU$400 million to regional policing efforts. Pacific watch One action stemming from the summit is a new dob-in line for Pacific communities, calling on the public to “be the community’s eyes and ears.” The online platform, dubbed Pacific Watch, “will allow the public to” safely and anonymously report suspicious behaviour, drug-related activities and other crimes threatening community safety,” as reported by the Fiji Sun. Its slogan will be: ” Recognise, Remember and Report.” The website features links to every Pacific country’s police page, as well as a “report now” button that leads to a Microsoft Form. It prompts the user to offer the suspect’s name or nicknames, their appearance and features, occupations, transport and a specific address, on top of describing the activity. “Phase two” will reportedly include the ability to upload photos and videos as evidence. It comes after the AFP announced a new office in Bogota, Colombia, alongside Colombian, Mexican, US, Interpol and Pacific forces, with a focus on disrupting supply lines. It would serve as an intelligence source for Pacific officials at one of the key entrances and exits of the narco highway. New Zealand will send a liaison officer there “before Christmas”, Chambers said. Military presence Chambers said military officials from across the world were crawling at the summit. “[One] thing that has been a particular focus this week is the coordination that needs to occur across all maritime activity,” he said. “So, besides the Australian Navy, here we have the French Navy, the Mexican Navy, the Colombian Navy.” However, he said that the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), which has partnered with the Fiji Police for the country’s primary counter-drug taskforce, were absent. Fiji police are currently investigating the death of known drug pusher Jone Vakarisi, who was beaten to death in a military prison. Military officers have also reportedly patrolled streets in Fijian drug hotspots without police present. Tudravu has continuously maintained that his officers are in control of all counter-drug operations in the country. It is unclear whether the Australian and Fiji police, who co-convened the summit, extended an invitation to the military. RNZ Pacific has asked the Fiji Police and the RFMF for comment. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
‘It’s worse for Palestinians,’ says Australian flotilla activist about Israeli torture
Michael West Media Australian activist Zack Schofield says he was illegally detained by the Israeli military after the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted in international waters on Monday. Now released, Schofield alleges activists were subjected to violence, tasers, beatings and deprivation while in Israeli custody. The claims were made in an interview with Anadolu Ajansi
Michael West Media Australian activist Zack Schofield says he was illegally detained by the Israeli military after the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted in international waters on Monday. Now released, Schofield alleges activists were subjected to violence, tasers, beatings and deprivation while in Israeli custody. The claims were made in an interview with Anadolu Ajansi following his release. WATCH: Original video with Zack Schofield from @anadoluagency Original IV with Patrick Kaiser Gaza flotilla activists allege abuse, sexual assault in Israeli detention Shameen Suleman: Outrage over the flotilla activists but where were they for Palestinians? Israel’s $700m Hasbara fiasco – how Ben-Gvir’s flotilla abuse video stirred backlash Other Gaza flotilla reports “The torture is nothing compared with what happens to Palestinians in the occupied territories every single day,” he said. “This is why we went. It is because Israel behaves worse towards Palestinians in every way imaginable. “It rapes them systematically in their prisons. It shoots them at aid sites. It bombs them in their homes. “And Palestinians have been at the forefront of a global war against humanity for generations. That’s why we went, and I’d do it all again.” Global condemnation The interception of the flotilla has sparked international condemnation and renewed scrutiny over Israel’s blockade operations and the treatment of activists attempting to reach Gaza by sea. Schofield previously spoke to Michael West Media after an earlier detention by Israeli forces. This is now the second time he says he has been abducted while participating in flotilla actions. Gemma O’Toole was aboard the Freedom Flotilla when it was intercepted by Israeli forces. Her father, Patrick Kaiser, says the family went more than 64 hours without hearing from her, while the main footage they had seen showed detained activists zip-tied, placed in stress positions and taunted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. As Australia summons the Israeli ambassador and condemns Ben-Gvir’s behaviour, Gemma’s family is calling for stronger action, sanctions, and a serious reckoning with Australia’s selective approach to international law and human rights. New Zealanders return Pacific Media Watch reports: In Auckland, New Zealand, a Sumud Aotearoa statement said that two of the three New Zealanders on the flotilla would return tomorrow after being illegally abducted in international waters by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), and after being physically and emotionally abused for trying to bring aid to starving people in Gaza during the genocide that the Israeli regime is perpetuating. Hāhona Ormsby and Mousa Taher are set to arrive at Auckland airport at 1:20pm Sunday and friends, family, and well-wishers have been invited to welcome them home. “We are delighted to see our whānau return, but we have not forgotten the atrocities of the IOF. IOF guards raped, sexually abused, beat, and tortured the participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla for days, our New Zealanders among them,” said the statement. “We are ashamed of the way the international community has responded to Israel’s repeated violations of international law, including the New Zealand government. “The injuries on the flotilla participants have given us a small glimpse of the kind of torture that innocent Palestinians face every day at the hands of the IOF. “Mousa Taher bears the mark of their violence across his thigh, and all three New Zealanders have marks across their bodies. Global Sumud Aotearoa said the world could not remain complacent and silent. \ “New Zealand cannot stay complicit. We demand sanctions on Israel now. We demand the release of the 9000 detained Palestinians.” The Global Sumod Flotilla activists arriving had visible marks all over their bodies and were severly injured. They described Israel as a place of TERROR. This is what Israel did to your fellow citizens., Americans included. This is the IMPUNITY the world gave ISRAEL. pic.twitter.com/Go0OioUPGK — Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws1) May 21, 2026 This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by Pacific Media Watch.
A Shortage of Special Educators Is Becoming a Crisis of Trust
A legal right for students with disabilities is meaningless when there isn’t a qualified person to deliver the services.
A legal right for students with disabilities is meaningless when there isn’t a qualified person to deliver the services. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Alexis L. Hamlor.
Forged Signatures, Felled Trees: Adani’s Expansion Into Hasdeo Forest
In July 2025, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department recommended diverting 1,742 hectares of dense protected forest in the Hasdeo Aranya region of central India to Adani Enterprises for coal extraction, bypassing mandatory consent from tribal Gram Sabhas w...
In July 2025, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department recommended diverting 1,742 hectares of dense protected forest in the Hasdeo Aranya region of central India to Adani Enterprises for coal extraction, bypassing mandatory consent from tribal Gram Sabhas whose approval is required by law under the PESA Act of 1996 and the… The post Forged Signatures, Felled Trees: Adani’s Expansion Into Hasdeo Forest appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Kansas Officials Plan to Cover Billion-Dollar Subsidy for Sports Team Worth Billions
In January 2026, Kevin Hardy of Stateline reported on a new stadium deal in which Kansas officials announced in December their pledge to fund 60 percent of the costs for a new Kansas City Chiefs stadium. The subsidy would be the largest-ever state subs...
In January 2026, Kevin Hardy of Stateline reported on a new stadium deal in which Kansas officials announced in December their pledge to fund 60 percent of the costs for a new Kansas City Chiefs stadium. The subsidy would be the largest-ever state subsidy for a professional sports stadium, projected… The post Kansas Officials Plan to Cover Billion-Dollar Subsidy for Sports Team Worth Billions appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Youth Justice Programs Slashed by Trump Administration, Reinforcing Heavy Employment Barriers
In April 2025, The Imprint reported that the Trump administration had terminated nearly $170 million in federal youth justice grants, eliminating critical employment pathways for formerly incarcerated young people. Corporate media coverage of the broad...
In April 2025, The Imprint reported that the Trump administration had terminated nearly $170 million in federal youth justice grants, eliminating critical employment pathways for formerly incarcerated young people. Corporate media coverage of the broader Department of Justice (DOJ) budget cuts failed to highlight how these funding cuts destroyed job… The post Youth Justice Programs Slashed by Trump Administration, Reinforcing Heavy Employment Barriers appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
The 1 Percent Get Richer Under Trump, Ordinary Americans Pay
Three reports on global wealth released in 2025 demonstrated a growing divide between the rich and the working class, with American billionaires’ profits soaring. In 2025 articles for Common Dreams, Jake Johnson cited reports by Oxfam International and...
Three reports on global wealth released in 2025 demonstrated a growing divide between the rich and the working class, with American billionaires’ profits soaring. In 2025 articles for Common Dreams, Jake Johnson cited reports by Oxfam International and the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS), which found that over the past… The post The 1 Percent Get Richer Under Trump, Ordinary Americans Pay appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Cooperation vs Authoritarianism in Spain
DOJ Funding Cut Leaves Inmates More Vulnerable to Sexual Violence
On April 23, 2025, Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, a reporter for The Appeal, broke the story that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) would be cutting all funding of the National Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Resource Center. Her report, published just...
On April 23, 2025, Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, a reporter for The Appeal, broke the story that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) would be cutting all funding of the National Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Resource Center. Her report, published just one day after the decision, emphasized the consequences of defunding.… The post DOJ Funding Cut Leaves Inmates More Vulnerable to Sexual Violence appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
88 Corporations Paid No Federal Income Tax in 2025 Thanks to Trump
Companies including Tesla, Palantir, and Citigroup paid nothing in federal income taxes in 2025 thanks to tax cuts from Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB). April 2026 reporting by Judd Legum and Rebecca Crosby for Popular Information and St...
Companies including Tesla, Palantir, and Citigroup paid nothing in federal income taxes in 2025 thanks to tax cuts from Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB). April 2026 reporting by Judd Legum and Rebecca Crosby for Popular Information and Stephen Prager for Common Dreams highlighted a report from the Institute… The post 88 Corporations Paid No Federal Income Tax in 2025 Thanks to Trump appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Purdue Ends All Affiliation With Student-Publication After Pro-Palestinian Editorial
In June 2025, Purdue University instructed The Exponent, Purdue’s student-run publication, to remove all affiliation with the school, as reported by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). The student newspaper can no longer use the...
In June 2025, Purdue University instructed The Exponent, Purdue’s student-run publication, to remove all affiliation with the school, as reported by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). The student newspaper can no longer use the word “Purdue” in any commercial use, despite the trademark’s validity until 2029. The… The post Purdue Ends All Affiliation With Student-Publication After Pro-Palestinian Editorial appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
$1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Benefits Billionaire Trump Supporters With Little Oversight
$1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Benefits Billionaire Trump Supporters With Little Oversight President Donald Trump submitted a $1.5 trillion defense budget request to Congress for fiscal year 2027, as Judd Legum and Noel Sims reported for Popular Informat...
$1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Benefits Billionaire Trump Supporters With Little Oversight President Donald Trump submitted a $1.5 trillion defense budget request to Congress for fiscal year 2027, as Judd Legum and Noel Sims reported for Popular Information on April 7, 2026. This marks a 44 percent increase over 2026 defense… The post $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Benefits Billionaire Trump Supporters With Little Oversight appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
US Prisons Experiment with Scandinavian Restorative Justice Models
Scandinavian countries provide sources of inspiration for more humane approaches to incarceration in the United States, Jamiles Lartey reported in April 2025 for The Marshall Project, but conservative commentators and victims’ rights groups alike have ...
Scandinavian countries provide sources of inspiration for more humane approaches to incarceration in the United States, Jamiles Lartey reported in April 2025 for The Marshall Project, but conservative commentators and victims’ rights groups alike have expressed concerns. From Connecticut and Pennsylvania to California, select US prisons are adopting programs modeled… The post US Prisons Experiment with Scandinavian Restorative Justice Models appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
“Handala” Hacker Group Exposes Ties between Jeffrey Epstein and Mossad
A September 2025 Drop Site News investigation by Murtaza Hussain and Ryan Grim has revealed that millionaire sex trafficker and pedophile Jeffery Epstein played a “significant role in brokering multiple deals for Israeli intelligence,” Drew...
A September 2025 Drop Site News investigation by Murtaza Hussain and Ryan Grim has revealed that millionaire sex trafficker and pedophile Jeffery Epstein played a “significant role in brokering multiple deals for Israeli intelligence,” Drew Favakeh reported for FAIR on November 14, 2025. Drop Site News reported that Epstein “exploited his network… The post “Handala” Hacker Group Exposes Ties between Jeffrey Epstein and Mossad appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Medical Neglect and Hardships for Incarcerated Women Experiencing Menopause
As the number of older incarcerated women grows, many are struggling to manage menopause and perimenopause because of limited medical support and education, highlighting gaps in gender-specific health care in US prison systems. Rebecca McCray’s April 2...
As the number of older incarcerated women grows, many are struggling to manage menopause and perimenopause because of limited medical support and education, highlighting gaps in gender-specific health care in US prison systems. Rebecca McCray’s April 2026 report for The Marshall Project illuminates the larger issue of institutional neglect, a… The post Medical Neglect and Hardships for Incarcerated Women Experiencing Menopause appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Nicholas Kristof’s Eyewitness Laments Skip the Obvious Conclusion
By Ralph Nader May 22, 2026 A skeptical friend reading the New York Times asked me why columnist Nicholas Kristof keeps writing columns about recurring poverty in less developed countries. My answer is simple. Because he keeps going to these remote are...
By Ralph Nader May 22, 2026 A skeptical friend reading the New York Times asked me why columnist Nicholas Kristof keeps writing columns about recurring poverty in less developed countries. My answer is simple. Because he keeps going to these remote areas populated by brutalized human beings living in dire impoverishment and sickness. At no… This content originally appeared on Ralph Nader and was authored by matthew.
US Incarceration-Related Costs Impose Financial Strain on Relatives
US families with incarcerated relatives are facing spiraling annual costs of nearly $350 billion in incarceration-related costs, according to an August 2025 report by Amanda Watford for Stateline. Watford highlighted a recent study by criminal justice ...
US families with incarcerated relatives are facing spiraling annual costs of nearly $350 billion in incarceration-related costs, according to an August 2025 report by Amanda Watford for Stateline. Watford highlighted a recent study by criminal justice advocacy group FWD.us that showed families are “losing an average of $1,803 in income… The post US Incarceration-Related Costs Impose Financial Strain on Relatives appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Israel Displaces Palestinians from West Bank via Agricultural Terrorism
Israeli state-sanctioned settler violence in the West Bank is taking the form of agricultural terrorism, restricting Palestinians from subsistence farming and livestock grazing. According to Qassam Muadi for Mondoweiss on May 14, 2026, “at least 13 rur...
Israeli state-sanctioned settler violence in the West Bank is taking the form of agricultural terrorism, restricting Palestinians from subsistence farming and livestock grazing. According to Qassam Muadi for Mondoweiss on May 14, 2026, “at least 13 rural Palestinian communities in the West Bank were completely wiped off the map,” in… The post Israel Displaces Palestinians from West Bank via Agricultural Terrorism appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
CPJ, partners file amicus brief to project encryption from Pegasus spyware
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 10 other civil society organizations in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday calling for the safeguarding of encryption from NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware to prevent the surveillance of journalists and other human rights defenders. In the brief, which was led by...
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 10 other civil society organizations in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday calling for the safeguarding of encryption from NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware to prevent the surveillance of journalists and other human rights defenders. In the brief, which was led by Access Now, CPJ and fellow amici argue that without the permanent injunction, NSO will continue enabling human rights violations. CPJ has reported extensively on the use of spyware to target the press, and the brief cited CPJ research detailing the importance of encryption for journalists’ safety. In October 2019, WhatsApp and its parent company Facebook (now Meta) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California over NSO using WhatsApp’s servers to deliver Pegasus spyware to the devices of over 1,400 people across 20 countries, including numerous journalists. CPJ and partners also filed an amicus brief in December 2020, when the case was originally appealed on jurisdictional grounds. After six years in court, including NSO’s unsuccessful appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the District Court issued a ruling in favor of WhatsApp in 2025. In the historic ruling, the court issued a permanent injunction stopping NSO from targeting WhatsApp messenger and its users. Read a copy of the amicus brief here. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
¿Por qué agentes de inmigración han detenido tres veces a este ciudadano estadounidense?
This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by ProPublica.
US Leads World in Military Spending as Private Contractors Claim Half
The United States led global military spending at $997 billion in 2024, with military contractors receiving over half of Pentagon spending since 2020. Jessica Corbett for Common Dreams in April and July 2025 analyzed reports by the Stockholm Internatio...
The United States led global military spending at $997 billion in 2024, with military contractors receiving over half of Pentagon spending since 2020. Jessica Corbett for Common Dreams in April and July 2025 analyzed reports by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the Costs of War Project at… The post US Leads World in Military Spending as Private Contractors Claim Half appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
US Corporate Media Fail to Cover Climate Change Adequately, Abundant Data Shows
Establishment news outlets have done a disastrous job of providing consistent and complete coverage of climate change during the past year, as reported by multiple independent publications and media monitoring organizations. In March 2026, Grist report...
Establishment news outlets have done a disastrous job of providing consistent and complete coverage of climate change during the past year, as reported by multiple independent publications and media monitoring organizations. In March 2026, Grist reported that “global news coverage of climate change has dropped 38 percent” since 2021, while… The post US Corporate Media Fail to Cover Climate Change Adequately, Abundant Data Shows appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Behind closed doors, Greek and Cypriot governments go ‘all in’ on Israel
You’ve probably never heard of the Mare Med III Conference before, and that’s by design. The closed-door business conference takes place annually and is organized by the Israeli events company Benny Moran Productions (the Israel-Greece Chamber of Comm...
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Activists detained aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by the Israeli army in international waters in the Mediterranean while attempting to break the Israel's blockade and carry humanitarian aid for Gaza, were brought to Heraklion Airport in Crete following their release, in Crete, Greece on May 1, 2026. Photo by Ayhan Mehmet/Anadolu via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343681" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/greek-and-cypriot-governments-go-all-in-on-israel/global-sumud-flotilla-activists-detained-during-the-israeli-interception-arrive-in-crete" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"Anadolu via Getty Images","camera":"","caption":"CRETE, GREECE - MAY 1: Activists detained aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by the Israeli army in international waters in the Mediterranean while attempting to break the Israel's blockade and carry humanitarian aid for Gaza, were brought to Heraklion Airport in Crete following their release, in Crete, Greece on May 1, 2026 (Photo by Ayhan Mehmet/Anadolu via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"2026 Anadolu","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Global Sumud Flotilla activists detained during the Israeli interception arrive in Crete","orientation":"0","alt":""}" data-image-title="Global Sumud Flotilla activists detained during the Israeli interception arrive in Crete" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Activists detained aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by the Israeli army in international waters in the Mediterranean while attempting to break the Israel&#8217;s blockade and carry humanitarian aid for Gaza, were brought to Heraklion Airport in Crete following their release, in Crete, Greece on May 1, 2026. Photo by Ayhan Mehmet/Anadolu via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273437870-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> You’ve probably never heard of the Mare Med III Conference before, and that’s by design. The closed-door business conference takes place annually and is organized by the Israeli events company Benny Moran Productions (the Israel-Greece Chamber of Commerce is listed as a partner and co-sponsor of the conference). The purpose? To deepen Israel’s political, military, and economic relationship with—and influence in—Greece. From May 12-13, the third annual meeting of Mare Med III took place in the unassuming rooms of the Brown Acropol Hotel in Athens, Greece. The program featured a litany of speakers, including: Sharren Haskel, Israel’s deputy minister of foreign affairs; former officers of the Israeli Navy and Air Force now serving as executives at Israel Aerospace Industries; the CEO of Israel Shipyards; Greece’s minister of tourism; the general secretary of the Greek Ministry of Defense; and the chief economist and head of economic consulting at BDO Israel. This year’s Mare Med III Conference hardly made a blip in the news cycle, but that’s not because the substance of the event wasn’t newsworthy. And we know this because one independent journalist, Dimitri Lascaris, former TRNN board member and host of Reason2Resist, managed to secure a ticket and film everything. “When I looked at the lineup of speakers, I didn’t hesitate to fork over the money, as painful as it was to pay anything towards an event that is designed to deepen relationships between Israel and Greece,” Lascaris says. “But it was the only way that I could actually get access to the event and hear what was being said behind closed doors. And it has in fact been an extraordinarily enlightening, if not utterly nauseating, affair.” In his wrap-up report from Day 1 of the conference, Lascaris shared these unsurprising-but-still-shocking observations: First of all, I have not heard the words “Palestine” or “Palestinians” once today. I’ve listened to probably twenty people speak, including various ministers and deputy ministers of the Greek government. The Palestinian people did not come up once. There was never any hint of criticism of what Israel is doing. And perhaps the most shocking pro-Israel commentary I saw was a Cypriot politician… looking at the Israeli ambassador to Greece—who was sitting in the front row at that moment, beside the Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece, just a few meters away from me—and saying to him: “Yes, it’s going to cause a lot of suffering. We know it’s going to cause a lot of suffering, but you’ve got to finish the job.” Meaning: [Israelis] need to revive the criminal war of aggression against Iran and presumably destroy the country, if not the entire region. Thanks to Lascaris, you can now see and hear for yourself what these callous death merchants say to each other behind closed doors. Watch these reports on the Reason2Resist YouTube channel: This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Maximillian Alvarez.
Stephen Colbert and the risk of media consolidation to free speech
Secretary of State Rubio joins NATO meeting amid tense relations; The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs final episode, after controversial cancellation – May 22, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Secretary of State Rubio meets NATO leaders amid concerns over Trump commitment to allies; The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired fi...
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. <img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-480876" src="https://kpfa.org/app/uploads/2026/05/nato-3c-1952-issue-us-stamp-95f71f-640-199x230.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="230" srcset="https://kpfa.org/app/uploads/2026/05/nato-3c-1952-issue-us-stamp-95f71f-640-199x230.jpg 199w, https://kpfa.org/app/uploads/2026/05/nato-3c-1952-issue-us-stamp-95f71f-640-151x175.jpg 151w, https://kpfa.org/app/uploads/2026/05/nato-3c-1952-issue-us-stamp-95f71f-640.jpg 553w" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px" /> Secretary of State Rubio meets NATO leaders amid concerns over Trump commitment to allies; The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired final episode Thursday, after controversial cancellation by CBS; Congo suspends funeral wakes and big gatherings in Ebola outbreak, as WHO upgrades risk assessment; Judge dismisses charges against Kilmar Obrego, who was mistakenly deported by Trump administration; SF immigration court shuts after purge of judges, leaving asylum cases in chaos The post Secretary of State Rubio joins NATO meeting amid tense relations; The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs final episode, after controversial cancellation – May 22, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
Peruvian journalists face threats, death amid country’s democratic backsliding
Peruvian journalist Geraldine Santos is only 30 years old, and she is already preparing for her funeral. Santos says she has received so many threats while reporting on cocaine trafficking and environmental crimes in the Amazon jungle that she has arranged for her family to contact a government source who, in case Santos is murdered,...
Peruvian journalist Geraldine Santos is only 30 years old, and she is already preparing for her funeral. Santos says she has received so many threats while reporting on cocaine trafficking and environmental crimes in the Amazon jungle that she has arranged for her family to contact a government source who, in case Santos is murdered, could help locate her body. “At least that way my parents could give me a dignified burial,” Santos told CPJ in March on its mission to Lima, Peru, the capital, to assess the state of press freedom in the country. The targeting of reporters by criminal groups combined with government hostility toward news media and weakened institutions have led to a steady erosion of press freedom in Peru, journalists, diplomats and legal experts told CPJ. According to a report published this year by Voces del Sur, a network of 17 Latin American press freedom organizations, Peruvian public officials were responsible for 61% of attacks against news media in 2025. Regional journalists are the most frequent targets, and four journalists killed in Peru last year—Gastón Medina Sotomayor, Raúl Célis López, Juan Fernando Núñez Guevara, and Mitzar Castillejos Tenazoa— worked in small towns or cities outside the capital. Their murders marked the most journalist killings in a single year since the 1980s when the Peruvian government was waging war against Shining Path rebels. “Every day you have the president, lawmakers and government ministers insulting and stigmatizing journalists,” says Rodrigo Salazar Zimmermann, president of the Peru Press Council, which represents private news organizations and defends press freedom. “It’s a perfect storm because no one inside the Peruvian government defends journalists. Rather, there’s an unofficial policy that if you attack or kill a journalist, nothing will happen to you.” <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" height="683" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?w=1024" alt="Demonstrators celebrate after Congress voted to remove interim President Jose Jeri as he faces corruption allegations outside the site where lawmakers met in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo)" class="wp-image-590962" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg 7008w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=652,435 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=760,507 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=1140,760 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP26048711986354.jpg?resize=367,245 367w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Demonstrators celebrate after Peru’s Congress voted to remove interim President José Jerí on corruption allegations after serving for just four months. (Photo: AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo) Press freedom under pressure Peru is among several Latin American countries where press freedom is being steadily degraded. Nicaragua and Venezuela are run by authoritarian regimes that have radically rolled back press freedom, and CPJ has documented how presidents and politicians in Mexico, Brazil, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Guatemala have taken steps to control the courts, oversight agencies and security forces, using them to suppress the opposition and intimidate journalists. Journalists are also being squeezed by new laws to control the foreign financing of civil society organizations that include independent news outlets. Adding to Peru’s press freedom challenges is a security crisis marked by extortion rackets, contract killings and a 137% rise in homicides between 2018 and 2024. A report by Human Rights Watch says organized crime groups enjoy unusually favorable conditions in Peru due to political instability; Peru has had eight presidents in the past decade, and its Congress has passed so-called “pro-crime” laws that undermine the capacity of courts and prosecutors to go after criminals. “There’s been a huge surge in organized crime,” says David Jara Espinoza, a public prosecutor who investigates crimes against human rights defenders, including journalists. “The atmosphere is extremely violent.” Lethal crime spike Amid intensifying organized crime, a result has been a spike in lethal violence against the news media. Government prosecutors told CPJ that there has been almost no progress in bringing Medina, Célis, Guevara, and Tenazoa’s killers to justice. “These killings happen in a context of permanent harassment against journalists from all three branches of the government,” said Zuliana Lainez, president of the National Journalists Association. In its 2025 report, the association recorded 458 attacks against the press, a 17% increase from 2024 with nearly half of the attacks attributed to public officials. Even the occasional victory for press freedom in Peru can be fleeting. In 2023, Daniel Urresti, a former army-intelligence-chief-turned-politician was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the 1988 murder of war correspondent Hugo Bustíos Saavedra. The sentencing marked the first time that the mastermind behind a journalist’s killing had ever been convicted in Peru. But in February 2026, Peru’s Constitutional Court ordered Urresti’s release based on a controversial amnesty law which states that war crimes and crimes against humanity can only be prosecuted if they occurred after July 1, 2002. The law was approved last year by Congress with vocal support from the government’s human rights ombudsman despite breaching international standards that affirm such atrocities are not subject to statutes of limitations. The liberation of Urresti “was a vulgar insult to the memory of all journalists who have been killed and to their family members who have been fighting for justice for so long,” Sharmelí Bustíos, Hugo’s daughter, told CPJ in an interview in Lima. She added, “We had been told to prepare ourselves for such a ruling, but it still came as a shock.” Peru’s presidential musical chairs Peru’s political instability has further deteriorated working conditions for journalists. Amid corruption allegations, power grabs and impeachment hearings, Peru has cycled through a series of presidents in rapid succession and will elect yet another in runoff balloting on June 7. As they have come under scrutiny, many recent occupants of the presidential palace have treated reporters as enemies. <img decoding="async" height="629" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?w=1024" alt="Dina Boluarte (Screenshot: IDL-Reporteros/YouTube)" class="wp-image-591439" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png 2516w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=300,184 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=768,472 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=1024,629 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=1536,944 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=2048,1258 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=570,350 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=652,401 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=760,467 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=1140,700 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=2000,1229 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-22-at-12.57.14-PM.png?resize=367,226 367w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Former President Dina Boluarte, who took office in 2022 and was impeached last year, accused journalists of coup-plotting and turned a blind eye to police violence against reporters covering protests against her government. (Screenshot: IDL-Reporteros/YouTube) Before interim President José Jerí was removed from office in February 2026 on corruption allegations after serving for just four months, his bodyguards forcibly pulled a journalist out of a news conference for trying to ask a question. Then-president Dina Boluarte, who took office in 2022 and was impeached last year, accused journalists of coup-plotting and turned a blind eye to police violence against reporters covering protests against her government. Boluarte’s predecessor, Pedro Castillo, sworn-in in 2021, threatened journalists with criminal defamation lawsuits and banned many of them from his news conferences. Castillo was arrested in 2022 for trying to close down Congress and rule by decree. <img decoding="async" height="1024" width="768" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?w=768" alt="HR Prosecutor's office downtown Lima. (Photo: Josè Reuben Zamora)" class="wp-image-591326" style="aspect-ratio:0.7500076096551305;width:227px;height:auto" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg 2949w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=225,300 225w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=768,1024 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=1152,1536 1152w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=1536,2048 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=570,760 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=652,869 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=760,1013 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=1140,1520 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=2000,2667 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HR-Prosecutors-office-downtown-Lima-1.jpg?resize=367,489 367w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> Public prosecutor David Jara Espinoza’s office in downtown Lima. (Photo: Josè Reuben Zamora) As presidents have come and gone, so too have their ministers and top law enforcement officials. Between them, presidents Castillo and Boluarte cycled through 14 interior ministers. Peru has had four attorneys general since 2024 exposing a crisis that has been around since at least 2015. All this has put the brakes on investigations into attacks on journalists, said Jara, the public prosecutor. Jara points out that his unit has received only about 25% of the government funding it needs to carry out investigations—and it shows; his office is located in a cramped annex on the top floor of a decrepit building in downtown Lima where the street number is scribbled on a piece of cardboard stuck to the door. “When a journalist is killed, we immediately jump on the case,” he said. “But it’s impossible to do this without financing. We don’t have drivers for our vehicles, and some of them are 20 years old.” Congress under scrutiny Amid disarray in the executive branch, Congress has emerged as Peru’s most powerful governmental institution. Yet more than half of its members are under investigation for corruption, influence peddling, sexual misconduct and other abuses. Even so, it has approved laws that promote impunity. “Peru’s justice system, overall, is inadequate and slow. That has left the press as the main watchdog mechanism over politicians, economic elites and criminal organizations,” Roberto Pereira, a lawyer and board member for the Lima-based Institute for Press and Society (IPYS), told CPJ. “All this has turned the press into a target for politicians.” Over the past decade, Pereira says Peruvian lawmakers have proposed 72 bills and initiatives to hamstring journalists. Most have been rejected, including a 2022 bill that sought to criminalize reporting based on leaked information about government investigations and a 2025 bill to increase penalties for defamation. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="683" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?w=1024" alt="Jose Balcazar speaks to the media after he was elected as interim president, following a session by Peruvian lawmakers to choose a new leader of Congress to assume Peru's presidency, after they ousted President Jose Jeri over a scandal involving undisclosed meetings with a Chinese businessman, in Lima, Peru, February 18, 2026. REUTERS/Angela Ponce" class="wp-image-590857" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg 7008w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=652,435 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=760,507 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=1140,760 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-19T043605Z_382257988_RC2SOJA4C48N_RTRMADP_3_PERU-POLITICS.jpg?resize=367,245 367w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> José Balcázar was elected as interim president, following a session by Peruvian lawmakers to choose a new leader of Congress to assume Peru’s presidency, after President José Jerí was ousted over a scandal. (Photo: Reuters/Angela Ponce) However, other regulations have been approved. Last year, the Peruvian Congress amended a law to increase government scrutiny over foreign aid received by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Many small, independent news organizations are registered as NGOs and rely on donations from abroad to operate. Now, news outlets must register their journalistic plans, projects and programs with the state-run Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI), which can approve or block such activities. The so-called APCI law violates the right to professional secrecy, could lead to censorship of reporting critical of the government, and levies disproportionate penalties on news outlets that fail to comply, according to human rights groups. It’s also proving to be a bureaucratic nightmare. Fabiola Torres, the founder and editor of the Lima-based public health news site Salud con Lupa, told CPJ that she’s hired an accountant and a lawyer to deal with all the law’s requirements. Regional reporters at risk <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="768" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?w=1024" alt="Alejandro Alminco (Photo: John Otis)" class="wp-image-590090" style="width:307px;height:auto" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg 4032w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=300,225 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=768,576 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=1536,1152 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=2048,1536 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=555,416 555w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=360,270 360w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=570,428 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=652,489 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=760,570 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=1140,855 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=2000,1500 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=367,275 367w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alejandro-Alminco.jpeg?resize=330,248 330w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Journalist Alejandro Alminco Ayala (Photo: John Otis) Conditions for Peruvian reporters in small towns and in the countryside are worse than in the capital. Most are freelancers who lack the support of large news organizations, leaving them more vulnerable to lawsuits, harassment and attacks. All four of the journalists killed last year were based in regional capitals or small towns. Alejandro Alminco Ayala, a freelancer in the town of Puerto Inca, has been punched in the face by the mayor and threatened by illegal miners who recently sent the image of a pistol to his cell phone. He went into hiding for two weeks then began wearing a protective vest and sleeping in different houses to confuse possible attackers. Alminco points out that he’s the only journalist in town and feels a responsibility to his audience to keep reporting. In addition, digital attacks and frivolous criminal defamation charges can be used to intimidate regional reporters who may lack the money to hire defense attorneys and pay other legal fees. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="768" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-590039" style="width:279px;height:auto" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg 4032w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=300,225 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=768,576 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=1536,1152 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=2048,1536 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=555,416 555w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=360,270 360w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=570,428 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=652,489 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=760,570 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=1140,855 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=2000,1500 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=367,275 367w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Anali-Andrade.jpeg?resize=330,248 330w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Analí Andrade, a radio news show host in the town of Andahuaylas, was targeted in anonymous online posts that depicted the journalist as a “fornicator.” (Photo: John Otis) Analí Andrade, a radio news show host in the town of Andahuaylas, said that after reporting on allegations of corruption and sexual abuse by the mayor, she was targeted by anonymous online posts. They included distorted photos of the journalist, who was portrayed as a prostitute and labeled a “fornicator,” as well as her cell phone number. She was also accused by the mayor of money laundering and of belonging to a criminal organization while last year his relatives burst into a radio studio, where she was broadcasting her news program, and forced her off the air. “It was a systematic attack against me,” Andrade told CPJ. “I felt like I was being watched. I didn’t walk around on the streets. It seemed like I was the most hated person in town.” Broken mechanism In theory, threatened Peruvian journalists can seek help from the state-run protection mechanism for human rights defenders. Made up of nine government institutions including the ministries of justice and the interior, the unit began operating in 2021 with about 10% of its work involving journalists. The mechanism has held workshops around the country, has provided security cameras and helped evacuate journalists from danger zones, and has set up a website to report threats. However, critics say the unit has been hampered by frequent cabinet changes and that it more often reacts to threats instead of taking proactive measures to prevent attacks. The mechanism had no previous contact with the four journalists who were killed last year. In addition, the protection mechanism has failed to build trust among journalists who point out that most of the attacks against them come from public officials, some of whom work in cahoots with criminal groups. Several reporters told CPJ that they would not report threats to the mechanism. “The mechanism is having no impact,” says Salazar of the Peru Press Council. “It lacks money and it’s just not a priority for the government.” Luis Dominguez Vega, who heads the mechanism, called it a “safe space” but said many journalists don’t know it exists and pointed out that he can not “force” them to seek help from the institution. The diplomatic community in Peru has also turned its back on the country’s journalists. Foreign embassies used to invite them to diplomatic functions, sponsor awards and training programs for reporters, and protest government attacks on the press. But amid a reduction in international aid, the shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development, and complaints from the Peruvian government about foreign intervention, silence prevails. “When you have a strong international community, it can be a check on government abuses,” said Adriana León, freedom of information director at IPYS. “But the embassies are taking a step backwards. They have thrown in the towel.” This year’s elections could change the dynamic, but León and other free press advocates are skeptical. Under a constitutional reform approved in 2024, Peru starting this year will have a bi-cameral legislature which could give even more power to lawmakers who have promoted impunity. Meanwhile, the June 7 presidential runoff election pits former right-wing congresswoman Keiko Fujimori against left-wing congressman Roberto Sánchez who served as minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism under former president Pedro Castillo. Salazar, of the CPP, characterized both candidates as populists who could prove hostile to journalists. “Whether from the left or the right, we view populism as a threat to freedom of expression,” he said. “No matter who wins, we are concerned about the impact they could have in the coming years on press freedom in Peru.” This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by John Otis/CPJ Andean Representative.
Cockroach Janata Party’s majority followers Pakistani? BJYM secretary Tajinder Bagga, others amplify misleading claim
With the Cockroach Janata Party’s Instagram page crossing the BJP’s 9 million followers mark, what began as a satirical campaign now appears to be snowballing into an online movement. BJP... The post Cockroach Janata Party’s majority followers Pakistani? BJYM secretary Tajinder Bagga, others amplify misleading claim appeared first on Alt News.
With the Cockroach Janata Party’s Instagram page crossing the BJP’s 9 million followers mark, what began as a satirical campaign now appears to be snowballing into an online movement. BJP leaders and Right-wing influencers have reacted to this by claiming that a large chunk of the page’s followers is based in Pakistan. Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha secretary Tajinder Bagga posted a graphic containing a pie chart of the CJP’s followers, claiming that 49% were from Pakistan, 14% from the United States, 14% from Bangladesh, and only 9% from India, with the United Kingdom, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE accounting for the remainder. Bagga captioned it ‘Pakistan Janata Party’. (Archive) Pakistan Janta Party pic.twitter.com/Abdlqm0AsL — Tajinder Bagga (@TajinderBagga) May 21, 2026 Right Wing influencer Rishi Bagree also posted the same graphic and called it “The Truth of Cockroach Janta Party”. (Archive) The Truth of Cockroach Janta Party : Citizens from Pakistan, Bangladesh & USA forms 77% of their Insta followers. India contributes only 9%. pic.twitter.com/WdIlmBWveE — Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) May 21, 2026 ABP News journalist Chitra Tripathi also amplified the viral claim on Facebook. She wrote, “Half of the Cockroach Janata Party’s followers are Pakistani”, while citing Bagga. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-315638 size-full" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/chrome_l5LGL2H70S.png" alt="" width="1092" height="910" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/chrome_l5LGL2H70S.png 1092w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/chrome_l5LGL2H70S-300x250.png 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/chrome_l5LGL2H70S-1024x853.png 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/chrome_l5LGL2H70S-768x640.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1092px) 100vw, 1092px" /> Zee-owned news outlet WION also published a report about the “foreign followers” on the CJP’s Instagram page. “Pakistan angle to ‘Cockroach Janta Party’? Netizens flag large number of Pak, Bangladesh and Turkey-based followers”, their post on X read. (Archive) Pakistan angle to ‘Cockroach Janta Party’? Netizens flag large number of Pak, Bangladesh and Turkey-based followers READ: https://t.co/kowVPtmT6khttps://t.co/kowVPtmT6k — WION (@WIONews) May 22, 2026 Several others on X also amplified the viral claim. Click to view slideshow. Fact Check Alt News reached out to Abhijeet Dipke, the founder of the Cockroach Janata Party, who provided a screen recording of the CJP’s official Instagram page showing its followers’ demographics. India accounts for 94.7% of the page’s viewers, followed by the United States at 1%, the United Kingdom at 0.7%, and Canada and the United Arab Emirates at 0.6% each. It is worth noting that neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh appears in the CJP’s actual followers’ data. Dipke took to Twitter himself to refute the viral claims. In the screenshot he uploaded on May 21, at 5:17 pm, similar stats can be seen. I know you are desperately trying to hack the account but since you have failed to do so. Let me share the real data. Why would you call 94% of Indian youth as Pakistanis? https://t.co/547NtEP934 pic.twitter.com/9DRTx6l96e — Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) May 21, 2026 The X handle of the CJP, which had over 200,000 followers, has been withheld in India as of May 21, within 5 days of its formation. “As expected, the Cockroach Janata Party’s account has been withheld in India,” Dipke posted on X, sharing a screenshot. Cockroach Janta Party’s account was started on 16th May. Within 4 days the account got banned because it got more than 200K following. pic.twitter.com/q93MTXIbrm — Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) May 21, 2026 As it stands, Bagga’s claim, amplified by many other users, that a major chunk of the CJP’s follower base is Pakistani, is false. According to stats shared by the founder, Abhijeet Dipke, 90% of the CJP’s viewers are Indian. The post Cockroach Janata Party’s majority followers Pakistani? BJYM secretary Tajinder Bagga, others amplify misleading claim appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Shinjinee Majumder.
This story originally appeared in Mondoweiss on May 22, 2026. It is shared here with permission. On Thursday, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) finally released its long-awaited autopsy of Kamala Harris’s failed presidential campaign. Th...
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="US President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris wave to members of the audience after speaking at a campaign rally at Girard College on May 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343689" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/its-the-genocide-stupid/president-biden-holds-campaign-rally-in-philadelphia" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.2","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"ILCE-9M3","caption":"PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 29: U.S. President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris wave to members of the audience after speaking at a campaign rally at Girard College on May 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden and Harris are using today's rally to launch a nationwide campaign to court black voters, a group that has traditionally come out in favor of Biden, but their support is projected lower than it was in 2020. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1716994284","copyright":"2024 Getty Images","focal_length":"35","iso":"2000","shutter_speed":"0.001","title":"President Biden Holds Campaign Rally In Philadelphia","orientation":"0","alt":""}" data-image-title="President Biden Holds Campaign Rally In Philadelphia" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" US President Joe Biden and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris wave to members of the audience after speaking at a campaign rally at Girard College on May 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2154628581-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="755" height="153" data-attachment-id="272634" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/death-to-arabs-israeli-flag-march-features-racist-anti-palestinian-chants/untitled-design-21-2" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-21.jpg?fit=755%2C153&ssl=1" data-orig-size="755,153" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1623862217","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="mondoweiss-logo" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-21.jpg?fit=755%2C153&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-21.jpg?resize=755%2C153&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-272634 size-full" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-21.jpg?w=755&ssl=1 755w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-21.jpg?resize=300%2C61&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-21.jpg?resize=400%2C81&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-21.jpg?resize=706%2C143&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Untitled-design-21.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 755px) 100vw, 755px" /> This story originally appeared in Mondoweiss on May 22, 2026. It is shared here with permission. On Thursday, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) finally released its long-awaited autopsy of Kamala Harris’s failed presidential campaign. The rollout was highly on-brand for the Democratic establishment. The 192-page document seems slapped together, is full of typos, and was released only because CNN obtained a copy. In an accompanying note, DNC Chair Ken Martin said the report didn’t meet his standards, but that it was being released “because people need to be able to trust the Democratic Party and trust our word.” In fact, the report has further eroded that trust by omitting some big, obvious reasons why Harris lost. Concerns about Biden’s age and his inexplicable decision to run for reelection are barely mentioned, and there’s virtually no analysis of the Democratic policies that might have helped propel Trump to another victory. If one were compiling such a list, support for the Gaza genocide would presumably be near the top, but the issue is not mentioned once in the massive report. You’ll recall that Harris never distanced herself from Biden on this question. In her first interview after becoming the nominee, she maintained the party line on Israel, reciting the usual claptrap about the country’s right to “defend itself.” Asked point-blank whether her foreign policy would differ from Biden’s at all, she said it would remain the same. That is to say, the United States would continue to send weapons to Israel while the country carried out a genocide. A couple of months later, she reiterated her position on The View, telling the hosts that she couldn’t think of anything she would do differently. Although later in the interview she said that, unlike Biden, she would put Republicans in her cabinet. Throughout the Harris campaign, Palestine advocates called on the former Senator to shift her position and take a firm stance against Israel’s actions. “By taking a strong stand against Netanyahu’s authoritarian policies, the Biden-Harris administration can unify the Democratic Party and regain the trust of key voter bases, including young people, Arabs, and Muslims,” read an open letter to Harris from the Not Another Bomb coalition to Harris at the time. “This decisive action will reinforce the administration’s commitment to democracy and human rights, contrasting sharply with the far-right extremism embodied by Trump and his supporters. It sends a clear message that the Democratic Party stands for peace, justice, and the protection of all people, thereby strengthening the coalition needed to secure victory in the 2024 elections and beyond.” She wouldn’t budge. At the Democratic National Convention that August, the Uncommitted Movement pushed for a Palestinian speaker to be included. “The difficulty in approving even a single Palestinian American speaker among the dozens of speakers on the convention stage sends a troubling message to our anti-war voters, suggesting they aren’t truly included in this party,” explained a statement from the organization’s founders. The request was denied. It’s inaccurate to say the campaign simply ignored these issues. On the contrary, they leaned in from the opposite direction, embracing hawkish former House member Liz Cheney and sending Rep. Ritchie Torres to Michigan, the state with the highest percentage of Arab Americans, to tell voters that Harris would stand with Israel. There’s a certain kind of centrist pundit who likes to wax sarcastic about the 2024 election and point out that Trump is also an ardent supporter of Israel. The inference is that people concerned about Gaza accomplished nothing by voting against Harris. However, this brand of snark often presupposes that people fed up with the genocide actually voted. Yes, some people backed Trump because they irrationally believed that the guy currently bombing Iran was antiwar, but the actual number of people that foolish is presumably negligible. Much hay is also made over the Green Party, but Jill Stein got fewer than 900,000 votes and thus had no discernible impact on the ultimate result. One of the biggest stories of the 2024 race is how many people stayed home. “The most telling fact in this race is the drop in voter turnout,” wrote Mitchell Plitnick days after the election, pointing out that Harris netted millions less votes than Biden did in 2020. “Theories will emerge, but the cause of Harris’ disastrous failure will forever be debated,” he wrote. “Still, there are good reasons to believe the Middle East in general and Gaza in particular played a significant role.” “Nobody is going to get excited about the ‘politics of joy’ and ‘endless brat summer’ when they’re watching a kid raising his hands while he’s being burned to death attached to an IV,” political consultant Peter Feld told me at the time. “It pretty much puts an end to any of the vibes that they were trying to run on.” “I don’t think you can explain this election without explaining the non-voters, and I think some of the post-election polling that’s come out and attempts to explain it by talking to voters is going to miss this story,” he continued. “If you haven’t spoken to non-voters, you haven’t explained the election.” Insofar as polling exists on this issue, it backs up the assertions of Plitnick and Feld. A January 2025 YouGov survey found that 2020 Biden voters who stayed home in 2024 cited Gaza as the top reason. If you need further proof that Gaza hurt Harris at the polls, just look at what’s happened since November 2024. Israel critics are prevailing in Democratic primaries, and groups like AIPAC have become entirely toxic, and support for Israel has plummeted to historic lows amid the war on Iran. A recent NBC News poll found that just 32% of U.S. voters view Israel positively, which is down from 47% in 2023. It’s difficult to overstate the incompetence of the DNC, but leaving this kind of stuff out of the “autopsy” report certainly feels like much more than oversight. Officials formerly connected to Biden and Harris are openly admitting as much. “What’s important is what’s missing, what they’re not releasing,” Harris’s former communications director, Ashley Etienne, told Politico. “It feels like what the DNC is doing is cherry-picking the parts of it that it wants to actually release, that [are] less problematic for the party going forward.” It’s an oversimplification to say Gaza is what cost the Democrats the election. There are multiple factors in every presidential race, and many of them have nothing to do with foreign policy. However, ignoring the genocide’s obvious impact on voters is malpractice and suggests that Democratic leadership could be poised to repeat the same mistakes in 2028. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Michael Arria.
With convicted felon, six-time bankrupt trust fund kid Donald Trump illegally looting $1.8 billion of our tax-payer dollars for violent traitors who tried to overturn our democracy on January 6, it's time to dream big for our country. All ideas are on the table, including a Maidan-style revolution, as we must rebuild from the ashes. Gaslit Nation is here to tell you that a better world is possible. This week's bonus show, available for Gaslit Nation supporters at the Truth-teller level and higher, continues our discussion with veteran war correspondent James Verini. He is the author of the powerful new book The Theater: Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War. In Part II of our discussion we discuss Palantir, owned by staunchly anti-democratic Peter Thiel, operating in Ukraine–the vanguard of democracy. See you at the Gaslit Nation Salon Monday at 4pm ET – look out for the Zoom link to join the discussion then, and also the recording of this week's salon – on the AI-acapolyse trying to thrust millions of Americans into poverty, while the self-appointed tech gods hoard wealth and power, using our stolen copyrighted work. To join the salons, get bonus shows, all shows ad free, and more, subscribe at Patreon.com/Gaslit – discounted annual memberships are available, and you can give the gift of membership. Thank you to everyone who supports the show. Want to hear Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chats, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: The Theater: Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War By James Verini https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Theater/James-Verini/9781668062203 'Dancing on bones': Mariupol theatre to reopen with staging of Russian fairytale https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/25/mariupol-bombed-theatre-reopen-russification-ukraine Trump Wants a Repeat of Bush v. Gore. Amy Coney Barrett Might Make It Happen. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/10/trump-wants-a-repeat-of-bush-v-gore-amy-coney-barrett-might-make-it-happen/ The Pro-Money Court: How the Roberts Supreme Court Dismantled Campaign Finance Law https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/pro-money-court-how-roberts-supreme-court-dismantled-campaign-finance-law Gaslit Nation Read and Resist Book Club Featuring Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning: https://www.patreon.com/posts/read-and-resist-132804210?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Matt Taibbi's past comes back to haunt him https://www.cascadepbs.org/all/2017/10/matt-taibbis-past-comes-back-to-haunt-him/ Matt Taibbi filed a Trumpian, free speech-chilling lawsuit against me. A judge just threw it out https://www.ms.now/opinion/matt-taibbi-free-speech-defamation-lawsuit Opening clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMrNO6VjqiA&list=RDrMrNO6VjqiA&start_radio=1
With convicted felon, six-time bankrupt trust fund kid Donald Trump illegally looting $1.8 billion of our tax-payer dollars for violent traitors who tried to overturn our democracy on January 6, it's time to dream big for our country. All ideas are on the table, including a Maidan-style revolution, as we must rebuild from the ashes. Gaslit Nation is here to tell you that a better world is possible. This week's bonus show, available for Gaslit Nation supporters at the Truth-teller level and higher, continues our discussion with veteran war correspondent James Verini. He is the author of the powerful new book The Theater: Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War. In Part II of our discussion we discuss Palantir, owned by staunchly anti-democratic Peter Thiel, operating in Ukraine–the vanguard of democracy. See you at the Gaslit Nation Salon Monday at 4pm ET – look out for the Zoom link to join the discussion then, and also the recording of this week's salon – on the AI-acapolyse trying to thrust millions of Americans into poverty, while the self-appointed tech gods hoard wealth and power, using our stolen copyrighted work. To join the salons, get bonus shows, all shows ad free, and more, subscribe at Patreon.com/Gaslit – discounted annual memberships are available, and you can give the gift of membership. Thank you to everyone who supports the show. Want to hear Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chats, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: The Theater: Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War By James Verini https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Theater/James-Verini/9781668062203 'Dancing on bones': Mariupol theatre to reopen with staging of Russian fairytale https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/25/mariupol-bombed-theatre-reopen-russification-ukraine Trump Wants a Repeat of Bush v. Gore. Amy Coney Barrett Might Make It Happen. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/10/trump-wants-a-repeat-of-bush-v-gore-amy-coney-barrett-might-make-it-happen/ The Pro-Money Court: How the Roberts Supreme Court Dismantled Campaign Finance Law https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/pro-money-court-how-roberts-supreme-court-dismantled-campaign-finance-law Gaslit Nation Read and Resist Book Club Featuring Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning: https://www.patreon.com/posts/read-and-resist-132804210?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Matt Taibbi's past comes back to haunt him https://www.cascadepbs.org/all/2017/10/matt-taibbis-past-comes-back-to-haunt-him/ Matt Taibbi filed a Trumpian, free speech-chilling lawsuit against me. A judge just threw it out https://www.ms.now/opinion/matt-taibbi-free-speech-defamation-lawsuit Opening clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMrNO6VjqiA&list=RDrMrNO6VjqiA&start_radio=1 This content originally appeared on Gaslit Nation and was authored by Andrea Chalupa.
Evo Morales a The Grayzone: «El pueblo ha llegado a su punto de ruptura»
This content originally appeared on Amnesty International and was authored by Amnesty International.
Taliban Welcomes Female Travel Influencers, Tourists As Afghan Women Face Harsher Restrictions
Healthcare in Gaza crippled by severe shortage of medical suppliesAid operations disrupted as civilian toll rises in UkraineUN warns against forced returns to Afghanistan
Healthcare in Gaza crippled by severe shortage of medical suppliesAid operations disrupted as civilian toll rises in UkraineUN warns against forced returns to Afghanistan This content originally appeared on UN News - Global perspective Human stories and was authored by Edouard De Bray.
“AI Resist List”: Karen Hao on Data Center Resistance, Tech Billionaires, “Empire of AI” & More
Stephen Colbert Out at CBS as Trump Weaponizes Regulatory Power to Control the Media
The Reality of Being an American Journalist in Iran
Lebanese rescuers film Israeli strikes with Go Pro cams
Ebola Response Hampered by Impoverishment & U.S. Global Health Cuts
AIPAC, AI, Crypto And Gambling Are Hiding Their Big Election Spends ⎹ The Intercept Briefing
Business motives don’t explain the right-wing turn of the Washington Post and CBS. Billionaire ideology does.
Amazon founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos made news earlier this week by claiming the reason he fired 30 percent of the Washington Post’s staff and rebranded it as a more conservative media outlet is because its previous iteration was not a “pr...
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos speaks during the American Business Forum at the Kaseya Center in Miami on November 6, 2025. Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343668" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/business-motives-dont-explain-the-right-wing-turn-of-the-washington-post-and-cbs-billionaire-ideology-does/us-economy-business-forum" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"AFP via Getty Images","camera":"NIKON Z 9","caption":"Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos speaks during the American Business Forum at the Kaseya Center in Miami on November 6, 2025. (Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1762469318","copyright":"AFP or licensors","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"US-ECONOMY-BUSINESS-FORUM","orientation":"1","alt":""}" data-image-title="US-ECONOMY-BUSINESS-FORUM" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Amazon&#8217;s founder Jeff Bezos speaks during the American Business Forum at the Kaseya Center in Miami on November 6, 2025. Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2244885227-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> Amazon founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos made news earlier this week by claiming the reason he fired 30 percent of the Washington Post’s staff and rebranded it as a more conservative media outlet is because its previous iteration was not a “profitable enterprise” and it needed to be. This is consistent with previous arguments he’s made as to why he moved the traditionally centrist—if neoconservative on foreign policy—newspaper more visibly to the right wing since Trump took office in early 2025. SORKIN: Why lay people off at the Post? Why fire people? BEZOS: Because the Post needs to be a profitable enterprise that stands on its own two feet SORKIN: Does it? Some people say it should be a trust BEZOS: Yes. It's a measure of its relevance. If people aren't paying for… pic.twitter.com/ENtR4t6S58 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 20, 2026 CBS News, after its parent corporation Paramount was purchased by the multibillionaire Ellison family last year, also had a similar, more overt right-wing rebrand, bringing in self-identified “zionist fanatic” Bari Weiss to run CBS News and crack down on stories deemed too critical of Trump while disciplining anything perceived as too progressive. This culminated with a much-mocked statement of “10 journalistic principles” a la Citizen Kane, followed by “5 guiding principles” for CBS Evening News, both of which read like LLM-generated marketing copy for a local Dodge dealership. “Our foundational values of liberty, equality and the rule of law,” reads the third principle, “make us [Americans, presumably] the last best hope on Earth. We also believe in Franklin’s famous line about America as a republic—if we can keep it. We aim to do our part every night…” The views for [the Washington Post’s] last 20 YouTube videos—combined—are less than the downloads I get for a single episode of my own podcast, which I record in my kid’s bedroom next to a stuffed elephant. Both the Ellisons and Bezos—and their respective functionaries—framed their pivot explicitly in marketing terms. Which, of course, they would. Being ideological, or concerned with other unrelated business interests, is considered gauche and even may run afoul of securities law which requires them, at least in theory, to use business properties to expand the shareholder value of those invested in said properties, not unrelated business interests or their own ideological agendas. But there’s only one problem with this alibi: there’s no evidence there’s a market for yet another generic, right-of-center publication pumping out Club for Growth and regime change schlock. The Post’s opinion page is now a dreary, manifestly unpopular torrent of stuffy Republican talking points with none of the vaguely populist appeal of raw MAGA-ism. Indeed, in the first year of the right-wing pivot, the Post still lost $100 million, which is roughly what it lost in 2024, the last year of its more center-left branding. Let us take a look at the sizzling view counts and viral sensationalism of their Opinion page rebrand, “Make It Make Sense”: <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="574" data-attachment-id="343664" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/business-motives-dont-explain-the-right-wing-turn-of-the-washington-post-and-cbs-billionaire-ideology-does/image-48" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?fit=1360%2C1002&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1360,1002" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","alt":""}" data-image-title="image" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?fit=780%2C574&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?resize=780%2C574&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-343664" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?resize=1024%2C754&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?resize=300%2C221&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?resize=768%2C566&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?resize=1200%2C884&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?resize=780%2C575&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?resize=400%2C295&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image.png?w=1360&ssl=1 1360w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-1024x754.png?w=370&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /> The Post, as I noted at the time for TRNN, purged its opinion page of its actually popular writers and replaced them with charmless Economist and Wall Street Journal also-rans so they can spew libertarian cliches, tedious anti-woke screeds and––for some reason––revisionist positive takes on Herbert Hoover. Washington Post hip vertical content update! 1) an unaccountably sweaty James Hohmann bashing Bernie’s wealth tax 2) mindless cheerleading of Trump’s Iran attack 3) Herbert Hoover (??) hagiography 4) an unaccountably sweaty James Hohmann defending Congress trading stocks pic.twitter.com/sHV93GHjc4 — Adam Johnson (@adamjohnsonCHI) March 4, 2026 This is clearly the content kids these days are crying out for. Their X account for these videos often gets only one or two retweets, and the views for their last 20 YouTube videos—combined—are less than the downloads I get for a single episode of my own podcast, which I record in my kid’s bedroom next to a stuffed elephant. CBS News ratings have similarly continued to decline since their anti-woke rebrand. This is most apparent with Weiss’ pet project, the revamped CBS Evening News, where she brought on her preferred company-man himbo, Tony Dokoupil, to awkwardly loiter in Real America-coded diners, Sparks and Steam factories, and other such homespun imagery, while delivering a recap of the day’s events with all the gravitas of a local plaintiff’s attorney commercial. Dokoupil’s most notable journalistic contribution before being awarded the coveted Evening News anchor desk by Weiss was dressing down author Ta-Nehisi Coates and implying he was a terrorist because he wrote too sympathetically of Palestinians. This is consistent with Weiss’ history of promoting tabloid propaganda for Israel, and the Ellisons, who are the largest private donors to Israel’s military. Ratings for CBS Evening News have declined by about 20 percent since Weiss’ Real American Values rebrand. This “marketing pivot” narrative is largely repeated uncritically by US media, who all have to act like there’s nothing else going on but organic marketing concerns. “The billionaire newspaper owner, dissatisfied by years of losses, wants the newsroom to double productivity with half its budget,” read one typically credulous New York Times subheadline on his “shake up” of the Post. This isn’t to say these oligarchs want to lose money on their ventures, but they want to be profitable within the narrow confines of very specific ideological goals that align both with other business interests and their own political agenda. “What’s so confounding about the attempt to meddle with/potentially gut 60 Minutes is it’s arguably the one thing that’s working,” wrote Vanity Fair’s Aidan McLaughlin on social media incredulously about Weiss’ interventions. “10 – 12 million people tune into every episode. It’s the most watched primetime broadcast in America. Why destroy that audience?” This “shaking up dying business model” framing is uniformly adopted by Weiss’ elite media peers. “For Bari Weiss critics two mull,” Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei wrote in January. “If your business is built on shows with shrinking audiences, made up of old people with shrinking years left, watching a shrinking medium w/ a shrinking future, it’s Mission Impossible. Only a revolutionary/radical shift can adjust this reality.” But Weiss and Bezos’ right-wing turns have very little to do with ratings, clicks, eyeballs, or market demands. It’s not at all “revolutionary” or “radical,” it’s simply a more supercharged and nakedly ideological orientation of the typical pro-capitalist, pro-war media consensus the public has been fed for decades. It’s the same pro-corporate framing despite Americans growing increasingly populist on matters of economics; the same pro-Israel, pro-war schlock despite Americans becoming increasingly anti-Israel and anti-war. This dubious “market demand” framing was made most absurd when Weiss insisted last November that to win over Middle America—which she assessed had “lost trust” in mainstream media—CBS ought to hire the “charismatic” Alan Dershowitz, an 87-year-old Trump partisan best known for defending the increasingly unpopular Israel and befriending and apologizing for Jeffrey Epstein and pedophilia more broadly. The reality is the Washington Post’s annual losses are only 0.03 percent of Bezos’ net worth. The Paramount purchase was less than 10 percent of the Ellisons’ net worth (and most of it wasn’t their money, in any event) and CBS’s right-wing turn has been essential to building political support for the Ellisons’ real prize: the purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, which includes control over HBO and CNN. This isn’t to say these oligarchs want to lose money on their ventures, but they want to be profitable within the narrow confines of very specific ideological goals that align both with other business interests and their own political agenda. For Bezos it’s clear that means generic pro-capitalist, pro-war, more conventional Republican content. For the Ellisons, and Weiss, it’s pro-capitalist and pro-security state ideology mixed with anti-woke hobby horses like trans and college kid-bashing and, of course, defending and promoting the long-term PR goals of Israel. It’s under this rubric that these somewhat bizarre and manifestly unpopular rebrands make sense. They’re not chasing “middle America” or an increasingly cynical public turned off by mainstream media; they’re turning a relatively small part of their overall investment portfolio into an ideological playtoy, either to suck up to Trump, channel their their own right-wing grievances, shore up their massive security state investments, or—as is most likely the case—a combination of all of the above. It’s essential we understand this, or we’ll continue to misdiagnose what motivates these overt and illiberal media rebrands. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Adam Johnson.
Reporting Live from Tehran with Aaron Parnas
Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 22, 2026
The recent wave of incarcerated people going on strike
Sudanese authorities jail journalist Rishan Oshi over corruption reporting
New York, May 22, 2026—Sudanese authorities must immediately release journalist Rashan Oshi and stop using imprisonment to silence reporting on corruption and other matters of public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 18, 2026, authorities arrested Oshi, a program host for local private television channel AlBalad TV, in Port Sudan after...
New York, May 22, 2026—Sudanese authorities must immediately release journalist Rashan Oshi and stop using imprisonment to silence reporting on corruption and other matters of public interest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 18, 2026, authorities arrested Oshi, a program host for local private television channel AlBalad TV, in Port Sudan after a Sudanese court sentenced her that same day to one year in prison and fined her 10 million Sudanese pounds (USD $16,653), according to news reports. The court convicted Oshi of defamation under articles 25 and 26 of Sudan’s cybercrime law, according to a journalist following the case, who spoke to CPJ on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. The journalist added that the charges were filed over a 2025<a href="https://www.facebook.com/rishan0oshi/posts/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%A9%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%8A-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%8E-%D8%A3%D9%86-%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%87%D9%8A%D9%8E-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D9%A1%D9%A5%D8%A3%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%AC-%D8%A2%D8%AE%D8%B1-%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B8%D9%87%D8%B1-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%81/627696379777477/"> article she published on her Facebook page, which has over 400,000 followers, alleging corruption within Sudanese state institutions. In the article, she alleged that an official covered up the sale of diplomatic state property to a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander. “The imprisonment of journalist Rashan Oshi is deeply concerning and sends a chilling message to journalists reporting on corruption in Sudan,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “Sudanese authorities must immediately release Oshi and ensure journalists can report freely without fear of imprisonment or retaliation.” The brief detentions of journalists Hajar Sulaiman and Miyahelnil Elmubarak in March reflect a growing pattern of Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) authorities targeting journalists over reporting related to corruption and other sensitive public affairs issues. Oshi’s detention comes amid a worsening press freedom environment in Sudan since the outbreak of war in April 2023 between the SAF and the RSF, with at least 16 journalists killed by the warring parties and eight others kidnapped by the RSF. CPJ emailed the SAF for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
We speak with journalist Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI, about the Trump administration’s alliance with tech billionaires, efforts to regulate artificial intelligence technology, and rising local opposition to data centers across the ...
We speak with journalist Karen Hao, author of Empire of AI, about the Trump administration’s alliance with tech billionaires, efforts to regulate artificial intelligence technology, and rising local opposition to data centers across the United States. “In 2025, these data center protests successfully stalled over $100 billion worth of these facilities,” says Hao. “It really does cut across political lines.” Hao recently launched The AI Resist List with a group of fellow journalists, researchers and technologists. It’s a collaborative project to track and reshape how artificial intelligence is deployed around the world. This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Iranian Woman: Military Intervention is Not the Answer
Stephen Colbert Out at CBS as Trump Weaponizes Regulatory Power to Control the Media: David Sirota
Late-night comedian Stephen Colbert has ended his 11-year run as host of The Late Show on CBS. His program’s cancellation removes one of President Trump’s most vocal critics from the airwaves and comes after the comedian criticized...
Late-night comedian Stephen Colbert has ended his 11-year run as host of The Late Show on CBS. His program’s cancellation removes one of President Trump’s most vocal critics from the airwaves and comes after the comedian criticized his own employer for agreeing to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by President Trump. The settlement came as CBS parent company Paramount was seeking the Trump administration’s approval for a merger with Skydance, which the Trump administration approved just one week after CBS announced Colbert’s ouster. Trump’s FCC Chair Brendan Carr has openly gloated about the administration’s attacks on critics in the media and the defunding of outlets like PBS and NPR, which no longer receive federal money. Meanwhile, Paramount Skydance is seeking another megamerger with Warner Bros. Discovery, which would further concentrate media control in the hands of the billionaire Ellison family that has a long history of supporting Trump. “We see this over and over again, where the Trump administration is weaponizing its power over mergers to try to get what it wants in the media space,” says David Sirota, editor-in-chief of The Lever and host of the Master Plan podcast. This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
“Politically Driven Epidemic”: Ebola Response Hampered by Impoverishment & U.S. Global Health Cuts
The deadly Ebola outbreak spreading across the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 177 people, with more than 750 suspected cases reported in the DRC and neighboring Uganda, according to the World Health Organization. ...
The deadly Ebola outbreak spreading across the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has killed at least 177 people, with more than 750 suspected cases reported in the DRC and neighboring Uganda, according to the World Health Organization. Health officials believe the virus may have been spreading undetected for months before the outbreak was identified, raising concerns that the scale of transmission could be far greater than initially understood. The epidemic has spread hundreds of miles away to South Kivu province, now under the control of the ⁠Alliance Fleuve Congo, which includes the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. Jimmy Munguriek, country director for the Democratic Republic of Congo at Resource Matters, tells Democracy Now! that poor road access, insufficient medical facilities and local stigma about the disease are making it hard to respond to the crisis. “Ebola outbreak is really, really a very urgent issue in the Mongbwalu region,” he says from Kinshasa. We also speak with Matthew Kavanagh, director of the Center for Global Health Policy and Politics at Georgetown University, who says U.S. international aid cuts and the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization have hampered the response to Ebola. “This is not just an outbreak of a virus. This really is a politically driven … epidemic.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Shameen Suleman: Outrage over the flotilla activists but where were they for Palestinians?
COMMENTARY: By Shameen Suleman Britain. France. Canada. Italy. Spain. Belgium. The Netherlands. Poland. Australia. New Zealand . . . The European Union. The United Nations . . . Suddenly they have found outrage because international activists aboard the flotilla were humiliated, abused and tortured by Israeli war criminals under National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s prison
COMMENTARY: By Shameen Suleman Britain. France. Canada. Italy. Spain. Belgium. The Netherlands. Poland. Australia. New Zealand . . . The European Union. The United Nations . . . Suddenly they have found outrage because international activists aboard the flotilla were humiliated, abused and tortured by Israeli war criminals under National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s prison system. Ambassadors are being summoned. Statements are being released. Diplomats are demanding “clarifications”. But where have these governments been while Palestinians endured this for years? Palestinian journalist Sami Al-Sa’i described being raped by Israeli prison guards while blindfolded and handcuffed, left bleeding on the floor as guards laughed and discussed filming the assault. As a reminder once again, this is the report prepared by Nicolas Kristof from The New York Times, in which I was one of the speakers talking about my own experience, having been raped by members of the Israeli Prison Service during my detention… https://t.co/TQiqu8GQI2 — سامي السّاعي (@SamiAssai) May 22, 2026 Other former detainees described rape with objects, attacks involving dogs, electrocution, starvation and repeated torture inside Israeli detention facilities. Human rights organisations, UN experts and former detainees have all warned that this abuse is systematic, organised and protected from accountability. Where were these governments when Dr Adnan Al-Bursh was abducted, tortured, sexually abused and ultimately murdered in israeli custody, with his body still withheld from his family? Where are they while Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and Palestinian medical workers remain detained, abused and denied proper medical treatment? <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128204" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-2-AJ-680wide.png" alt="Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir gloating in the Gaza flotilla detainees video" width="680" height="507" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-2-AJ-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-2-AJ-680wide-300x224.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-2-AJ-680wide-80x60.png 80w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-2-AJ-680wide-265x198.png 265w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Ben-Gvir-2-AJ-680wide-563x420.png 563w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir gloating in the Gaza flotilla detainees video. AJ screenshot APR And now the world acts shocked because foreign activists were finally subjected to a fraction of what Palestinians have endured for decades. In 2010, israeli forces attacked the Mavi Marmara flotilla trying to break the siege on Gaza, killing nine activists before a tenth later died from his injuries. The world condemned it, statements were made, outrage came and went, yet Palestinians remained trapped under siege while Israeli war criminals continued receiving arms, protection and political cover from Western governments. To the people aboard the flotilla who were tortured, humiliated and abused while trying to break the siege on Gaza and deliver aid to starving civilians: may you recover safely and may your courage wake people up. The world saw what happened to you. Palestinians have been screaming about these crimes for years. Credit to @thiagoavila for continuing to expose what so many tried to ignore. Warning: distressful content! Those genocidal maniacs RAPED humanitarian activist trying to take food and medicine to children in Gaza! And the worst is that even this they escalate to much worse forms with the 9000 Palestinians in israeli dungeons (almost 400 children)! pic.twitter.com/a0yuMuilvQ — Thiago Ávila (@thiagoavilabr) May 21, 2026 Summoning ambassadors is not enough. Condemnations are not enough. Expel them. Sanction them. Stop arming them. Stop protecting Israeli war criminals while criminalising activists who try to stop weapons reaching them. While Western governments choose silence, the British state chooses to criminalise, arrest and persecute activists, journalists, doctors, teachers and humanitarians for standing with Palestine. @Majstar7, @swilkinsonbc, Junaid Mayet, @KarakDesi and thousands more whose only “crime” was refusing to stay silent while Palestinians were slaughtered, starved and abused in plain sight. My activism is for people. I oppose dehumanisation, torture, rape, abuse and the killing of civilians, no matter who the victim is. But Palestinians have been subjected to all of this in plain sight while the world chose silence. Shameen Suleman is a journalist for MENA Uncensored. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
FROM ATP • numero 0 • (SKETCHES) FROM A NIGHTMARE
JORGE HENRIQUEZ ASHANA (La Guajira, Colombia)
GOP Leaders Delay Vote on Iran War Powers Resolution Until June, “I’ll Be the One That Does It”: Trump Says He’s Ready to Attack Cuba, Syrian Child and Paramedics Are Victims of Latest Israeli Strikes on Lebanon, Deported Global Sumud Flotilla Activists Describe Torture and Abuse by Israeli Captors, Greenlanders Protest as U.S. Opens New Consulate in Nuuk, Senate Delays Vote on ICE Funding as GOP Revolts over Trump’s Ballroom and $1.8B “Slush Fund”, Advocates Demand Release of Karla Toledo, Tucson Activist Jailed by ICE, Immigrants at For-Profit ICE Jail in California Launch Hunger Strike Against Inhumane Treatment, Charges Dropped Against Chicago Anti-ICE Protesters Over “Gross Misconduct” by Prosecutors, Colorado Democrats Censure Gov. Jared Polis over Clemency for 2020 Election Denier, DNC Faces Backlash over Post-Election Autopsy That Makes No Mention of Gaza Genocide, Thousands Attend Funeral for Victims of Massacre at Islamic Center of San Diego, Death Row Prisoner Tony Carruthers Wins One-Year Reprieve After Tennessee Botches His Execution
GOP Leaders Delay Vote on Iran War Powers Resolution Until June "I'll Be the One That Does It": Trump Says He's Ready to Attack Cuba Syrian Child and Paramedics Are Victims of Latest Israeli Strikes on Lebanon Deported Global Sumud Flotilla Activists Describe Torture and Abuse by Israeli Captors Greenlanders Protest as U.S. Opens New Consulate in Nuuk Senate Delays Vote on ICE Funding as GOP Revolts over Trump's Ballroom and $1.8B "Slush Fund" Advocates Demand Release of Karla Toledo, Tucson Activist Jailed by ICE Immigrants at For-Profit ICE Jail in California Launch Hunger Strike Against Inhumane Treatment Charges Dropped Against Chicago Anti-ICE Protesters Over "Gross Misconduct" by Prosecutors Colorado Democrats Censure Gov. Jared Polis over Clemency for 2020 Election Denier DNC Faces Backlash over Post-Election Autopsy That Makes No Mention of Gaza Genocide Thousands Attend Funeral for Victims of Massacre at Islamic Center of San Diego Death Row Prisoner Tony Carruthers Wins One-Year Reprieve After Tennessee Botches His Execution This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Democracy Now! Friday, May 22, 2026 This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.
SEXTETO TABALA (San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia)
MAJIN DIAZ (San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia)
California Teacher Previously Fired for Sexual Harassment Is No Longer in the Classroom After New Complaints
The post California Teacher Previously Fired for Sexual Harassment Is No Longer in the Classroom After New Complaints appeared first on ProPublica.
A photo of teacher Jason Agan in the 2017-18 Angelo Rodriguez High School yearbook Beth LaBerge/KQED A San Francisco Bay Area school district has replaced a middle school math teacher for the remainder of the academic year following an investigation by KQED and ProPublica that showed he had been accused of inappropriately touching students at two previous jobs. The Redwood City School District has received at least two new complaints against Jason Agan, according to the parents who filed the complaints as well as emails from the district to the parents saying it is investigating both. Read More He Was Fired for Sexually Harassing Students. California Allowed Him to Keep Teaching Anyway. The news outlets found that the state teacher licensing agency allowed Agan to keep his credentials following his 2019 firing from a high school in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District for what district officials characterized as sexual harassment of female students. At least 11 students and one parent at Angelo Rodriguez High School submitted written complaints about Agan’s behavior to school administrators, drawing at least two warnings to stop, KQED and ProPublica’s investigation found. Students in that district testified during Agan’s dismissal hearing that he made them uncomfortable by massaging their neck or shoulders as well as commenting on female students’ clothing, prompting an independent panel to deem him “unfit to teach,” according to records obtained by the news outlets. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the agency responsible for educators’ licenses, suspended Agan’s teaching license for seven days in 2021, after he had already gotten another job teaching math at Ephraim Williams College Prep Middle School in the Fortune network of charter schools in Sacramento, an hour away from his first school. The discipline — along with a red flag icon — is noted in the state’s public database of credentialed educators, but no specific reason is given for the sanction. Anyone searching his name in the database would see he still held credentials indicating he was legally fit to teach. At Ephraim Williams, Agan’s second school, he drew another complaint of unwanted touching, prompting a written warning from Fortune’s human resources consultant. He left the school in June 2022 and started teaching math at Clifford School, a prekindergarten through eighth grade school in Redwood City, that August. That is where he was teaching when the investigation was published. David Weekly, president of the school board in Redwood City, told KQED and ProPublica on Saturday that the board plans to review the district’s hiring process after Clifford parents, in a public letter, called for such a review and for a third-party investigation into whether district officials were aware of prior complaints against Agan. “Parents deserve to know their kids are safe and to know that the district is doing a good job carefully vetting those who will be working closely with their children,” Weekly said in a written statement to the news outlets. Redwood City School District Superintendent John Baker told the Clifford School community on Thursday that the district has enlisted a third-party investigator to review its hiring practices and procedures, according to a letter that the district spokesperson shared with the news outlets. Deputy superintendent Wendy Kelly previously told KQED and ProPublica that the district, when hiring, typically calls candidates’ immediate supervisors and checks the database of licensed educators. She declined to answer questions about Agan’s hiring or say whether the school district was aware he had been accused of misconduct at two previous schools. Clifford principal Kristy Jackson emailed parents in the hours after the story was published to outline the district’s hiring policies and said that while she could not discuss confidential personnel matters, “To date, I have not had any concerns about this employee related to student safety.” Agan, who has not been accused of a crime, did not respond to requests for comment about the new complaints after he was removed from the school. Nor did he previously respond to questions sent via email and certified mail to his home about students’ accusations and his job history. He has denied any sexual motivation in touching students, stating during his dismissal hearing from the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District that he touched students’ shoulders to offer them support and encouragement but that he did not massage them. More than a dozen parents showed up at Clifford the morning after the story published last week to express concern about Agan’s employment to the principal, according to two parents who were there. Just before noon that same day, Jackson and Baker emailed the Clifford School community saying that the district would “soon be welcoming a substitute teacher to support students in Mr. Agan’s classroom.” A Redwood City school district spokesperson said a substitute was brought in to teach Agan’s classes starting May 13 but declined to comment on his employment status. The spokesperson did not answer a question about the new complaints. Parents expressed “profound alarm and outrage” and also demanded Agan’s immediate resignation or removal from any position involving contact with students, according to their letter to the Clifford principal, school board, state lawmakers, California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and the teacher licensing agency. More than 170 people signed the letter, according to a parent involved in organizing the petition. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="501" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="A school building with a sign in front of it that reads, “Clifford School.”" class="wp-image-80287" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260417-ProPublica-CATeacherDiscipline-01_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,1067 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> Agan started teaching at Clifford School in 2022. Beth LaBerge/KQED “We recognize the seriousness of these matters and believe that transparency, accountability, and student safety must take precedence over institutional reputation or liability concerns,” the parents wrote. “Children deserve learning environments where they are safe, respected, and protected. Parents and guardians deserve honesty and accountability from the institutions entrusted with their children’s care.” Brie Hanni, a parent who signed the letter, said she broke down after learning about Agan’s disciplinary history and pulled her seventh grade daughter, who was in Agan’s class, out of school the day KQED and ProPublica published the story. Hanni says Agan’s case illustrates a systemic gap in transparency, and the state should specify the reasons educators are disciplined. The licensing bodies governing dozens of other professions in California, including doctors, nurses, police officers and lawyers, make the reasons that disciplinary actions were imposed easily accessible on their websites. And at least 12 states, including Oregon, Washington and Florida, do the same for teachers. “I think a statewide, if not nationwide, question is: What do you do with these teachers who are ‘unfit to teach’?” Hanni said. Thurmond, who is running for governor, told KQED and ProPublica that any teacher who “abuses or harasses students should never teach again.” Thurmond said that as governor, he would propose legislation to automatically revoke licenses for educators found by schools or independent panels to have committed sexual harassment. A spokesperson for his campaign said the legislation would be retroactive. Xavier Becerra, the former U.S. health and human services secretary, former state attorney general and a leading candidate for California governor, “believes California should have a system that acts swiftly, prioritizes the protection of students, and gives parents and schools confidence that serious misconduct is being handled appropriately and transparently,” said Jonathan Underland, Becerra’s campaign spokesperson, in a statement. “Student safety has to come first,” Underland said. “The allegations described in this reporting are deeply disturbing, and no student or family should ever feel unsafe at school.” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment on Agan’s case and the state’s disciplinary process for educators. Neither did six other gubernatorial candidates seeking to replace him. State Sen. Josh Becker, who represents Redwood City, shared ProPublica and KQED’s investigation on social media and wrote: “Completely unacceptable. What is going on here? The legislature needs to dig into this which includes me.” A spokesperson for Becker said he was not available for comment this week. During a Redwood City school board meeting last week, Clifford parent Josh Levinson said he had submitted a Title IX complaint against Agan to the district after reading the article and speaking with his seventh grade son. Title IX is the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination and harassment in schools. “What I’ve heard from my son is that this pattern hasn’t changed,” Levinson said at the board meeting, referencing Agan’s history of misconduct claims. “When someone’s deemed unfit to teach, that should be a massive red flag, not something brushed aside because the database says they’re technically employable.” Levinson declined to speak about the specifics of his complaint. Another Clifford parent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect his child’s identity, told the news outlets that he also filed a complaint against Agan after reading the article and speaking with his child. The parent said his child reported seeing Agan touch students’ shoulders and yell during class. In his job application to Redwood City that the district shared with KQED and ProPublica, Agan did not disclose that he had been fired from Rodriguez High; instead, he wrote that he left because he “wanted to explore new challenges and opportunities.” He also checked a “Please don’t contact” box under Rodriguez High. Kelly, the Redwood City deputy superintendent, said in a previous interview that the district contacts prior employers even when candidates instruct them not to. She also said that school districts trust the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to vet teachers, and those whose credentials are valid are considered employable. In his earlier application to teach at Ephraim Williams, Agan did acknowledge that he had been fired from Rodriguez High after being “accused of inappropriately touching students on the shoulders during class.” He wrote that he disagreed with the dismissal and explained that he would often place his hands on students’ shoulders while helping them. A spokesperson for the state’s teacher licensing agency, Anita Fitzhugh, has emphasized that state law limits what information the agency can share. Only after the agency recommends educators be disciplined can it release its findings, which include a summary of the case, to prospective employers. But that information is released only if a school requests it within five years of when the discipline was recommended. In Agan’s case, that window passed earlier this year. Redwood City did not ask for such findings before hiring Agan in 2022, according to logs of requests made during that time that the teacher licensing agency provided to KQED and ProPublica. Kelly previously confirmed that the school had not requested the findings, saying that she discovered only last year that it could do so. Agan is one of at least 67 educators for whom the state has not revoked professional licenses after school districts determined they had sexually harassed students or committed other types of misconduct of a sexual nature, according to a review of available records from 2019 through 2025 obtained by the news outlets. Help Us Report on Teacher Misconduct in California If you have experience with the state’s opaque teacher disciplinary process, KQED and ProPublica want to hear from you. Share Your Experience The post California Teacher Previously Fired for Sexual Harassment Is No Longer in the Classroom After New Complaints appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Holly McDede.
Israel’s National Security Minister Taunts Detained Activists
Friday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast - HD
Friday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast - HD This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4 and was authored by Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4.
FIFA’s Reported Ban On Iran’s Pre-1979 Flag At World Cup Stirs Controversy
Louisiana’s Tough-on-Crime Policies Stand to Cost Taxpayers Millions More for Years to Come
The post Louisiana’s Tough-on-Crime Policies Stand to Cost Taxpayers Millions More for Years to Come appeared first on ProPublica.
Illustration by Shoshana Gordon/ProPublica. Source image via Wikimedia Commons. The day after a shooting last month killed a teenager and injured five people at the Mall of Louisiana, Gov. Jeff Landry blasted what he referred to as “hug-a-thug” policies — reforms put in place prior to his tenure when the state was trying to shed its reputation as the nation’s incarceration capital. He also demanded harsher penalties for violent minors. “I’m done with them. It doesn’t matter how old they are,” Landry, a Republican, said during a news conference in Baton Rouge. “We’ve got 18,000 acres at Angola — if it was up to me, I would send them all there for the rest of their lives.”’ Landry’s push for harsher punishments that would keep people in prison longer came as little surprise. Soon after his 2024 inauguration, he won a package of tough-on-crime bills that drastically changed the state’s sentencing laws. A Landry spokesperson at the time brushed off concerns from civil rights groups and incarceration experts that it would swell the prison population and plunge the state into financial disaster, insisting that “less crime means greater economic opportunity for everyone.” Two years later, the governor wants to add hundreds more beds in Louisiana’s largest prison and spend more on medical costs as prisoners stay longer behind bars. His proposed $798 million corrections budget, which the Republican-controlled legislature is expected to pass by June 1, represents a 9% increase from the inflation-adjusted total spent in fiscal year 2024, the last budget passed before his tenure. The increased budget is the first indication that the rising inmate population resulting from Landry’s policies is costing Louisiana taxpayers. ProPublica and Verite News have spent more than two years investigating how Landry’s policies have impacted Louisiana’s criminal justice system. The number of prisoners paroled under Landry has plummeted to its lowest point in 20 years, due in part to a law he signed that cedes much of the power of the parole board to a computerized algorithm. And the prison population as a whole is expected to become older and sicker since Landry and the legislature eliminated medical parole. Landry also ushered in a law that lowered the age at which the justice system must treat defendants as adults from 18 to 17 years old to combat what he characterized as an epidemic of violent crime committed by minors. But an investigation by ProPublica and Verite News found that 69% of 17-year olds in three of the state’s largest parishes were arrested for offenses that Louisiana law does not consider violent crimes. Many experts say the full impact of these changes won’t be felt for at least another decade. The Crime and Justice Institute, a Boston-based nonpartisan public-safety research organization, predicts that by 2034, Landry’s rollback of inmates’ ability to shave time off their sentences through good behavior will double the size of the state’s prison population, double the number of nonviolent offenders being held and cost an estimated $2 billion for new prisons to accommodate the population. Here is how Landry’s policies have already begun to impact Louisiana’s prisons and budget. Prison Population Change In the two years after Landry took office, the number of state prisoners has increased by about 8%, and Landry’s budget indicates that number will continue to rise. The governor is asking for an additional 688 beds at the state’s largest prison, the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, which will require the hiring of 150 correctional officers. A corrections department spokesperson said the increased capacity is necessary because under the previous administration, “beds were significantly decreased, correctional officer positions were cut, facilities closed, and funding [was] eliminated.” In 2017, a bipartisan coalition of Louisiana legislators had passed an ambitious package of bills designed to reduce the number of nonviolent offenders behind bars — and with it the state’s nation-leading prison population. By 2021, the number of nonviolent offenders in state prisons and jails dropped by 55% and the overall prison population by 26%, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Louisiana’s Prison Population Has Continued to Go Up Under Gov. Jeff Landry After years of steady decline due to a bipartisan prison-reform package, the state’s incarcerated population started climbing again in 2022, after the height of the coronavirus pandemic, as courts reopened and crime rates rose. The increase has continued as a result of Landry’s criminal justice rollbacks. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2300" height="1439" js-autosizes src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png" alt="A bar chart showing the number of incarcerated people in Louisiana’s prison system from 2016 to 2025. By the end of 2016, there were 35,682 prisoners, and by the end of 2025, there were 30,161. The bars show the number of prisoners decreasing year by year before rising again starting in 2022." class="wp-image-80385" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png 2300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=300,188 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=768,481 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=1024,641 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=1536,961 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=2048,1281 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=863,540 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=422,264 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=552,345 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=558,349 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=527,330 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=752,470 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=1149,719 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=2000,1251 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=400,250 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=800,501 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=1200,751 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-population-fallback_b39d51.png?resize=1600,1001 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2300px) 100vw, 2300px" /> Note: Prison population totals as of Dec. 31 of each year. Source: Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Chris Alcantara/ProPublica But in early 2024, Landry signed a series of bills that repealed most of those reforms. The governor and his allies in the legislature eliminated parole for anyone convicted of a crime committed after Aug. 1, 2024, and required prisoners to serve at least 85% of their sentences before they can reduce their time through good behavior. The elimination of parole also got rid of medical parole and put additional restrictions on medical furlough — both of which had been offered to severely ill or injured inmates. The rising number of prisoners has applied additional pressure on overcrowded local jails, where more than half of Louisiana’s inmates are held instead of state-run prisons. Landry is asking the legislature for an additional $17 million to increase the rate paid to local sheriffs to house state inmates by $3 per day, from $26 to $29. Louisiana Has More State Prisoners in Local Jails Than Any Other State in the Nation More than half of Louisiana inmates are held in local jails instead of state-run prisons. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2300" height="1735" js-autosizes src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png" alt="A cartogram map of the United States, colored by the percentage of prisoners in local jails as of 2023. Louisiana has the highest share, with more than 50%." class="wp-image-80261" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png 2300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=300,226 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=768,579 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=1024,772 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=1536,1159 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=2048,1545 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=863,651 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=422,318 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=552,416 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=558,421 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=527,398 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=752,567 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=1149,867 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=2000,1509 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=400,302 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=800,603 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=1200,905 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-local-prison-population-share-fallback.png?resize=1600,1207 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2300px) 100vw, 2300px" /> Note: Data as of 2023. Source: Department of Justice report on prison population released in September. Chris Alcantara/ProPublica Some lawmakers and prison reform advocates say there are indications that the Department of Corrections is seeing the need for a shift in strategy. State Rep. Mandie Landry (no relation), a Democrat from New Orleans, said corrections department officials asked her to sponsor a bill that allows prisoners who earn an associate’s degree to shave 90 days off their sentences. And while that might not seem like much, she said, it’s a move in the right direction. “I think they’re realizing that what the legislature did a few years ago is going to explode into a nightmare in prison,” she said. The legislature passed the bipartisan bill in April. A corrections department spokesperson declined to respond to questions concerning the impact of Landry’s policies on the prison population and corrections budget, how those policies are impacting inmate medical care and if the department is seeking to gradually reverse any of Landry’s policies. Landry’s spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. Rising Corrections Budget Landry is asking for an additional $82 million for next year’s corrections budget — 11% more than currently allotted. Over the past decade, the amount of state tax dollars spent on correctional services has fluctuated, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, when federal aid temporarily supplemented the corrections budget. But Landry’s policies will ensure the need for additional funds, said James Austin, a national corrections policy expert. Landry’s Proposed Budget Could Push Statewide Prison Spending to Its Highest Level in a Decade The actual spending in 2027 by the Department of Corrections could be even higher, based on past trends. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2300" height="1506" js-autosizes src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png" alt="A bar chart showing Louisiana’s annual amount of taxpayer spending between fiscal years 2016 and 2025, as well as current spending in fiscal year 2026 and the state’s proposed spending budget for fiscal year 2027. By the end of fiscal year 2016, the state spent, when adjusted for inflation, $637 million. The proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year could be at least $798 million." class="wp-image-80332" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png 2300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=300,196 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=768,503 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=1024,670 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=1536,1006 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=2048,1341 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=863,565 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=422,276 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=552,361 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=558,365 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=527,345 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=752,492 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=1149,752 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=2000,1310 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=400,262 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=800,524 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=1200,786 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-budget-fallback_c047fd.png?resize=1600,1048 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2300px) 100vw, 2300px" /> Note: Louisiana’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. Fiscal years 2016 to 2025 represent actual taxpayer spending on corrections after adjusting for inflation, using the most recent rate as of April. The amount of state funding dropped in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 because the state used federal pandemic aid to supplement its corrections budget. A key reason for the state funding increase in fiscal year 2025 was the cost of major repairs at two prisons. The figures for fiscal year 2026 represent the department’s budget as of December 2025 plus an additional amount the Landry administration has requested through June. Source: Louisiana Division of Administration. Chris Alcantara/ProPublica While overall state spending during Landry’s tenure is projected to drop by 2% when adjusted for inflation, corrections spending will increase by 9% if the governor’s proposed budget passes. “There’s no indication that the need for more beds and more staff is going to flatten out. And I don’t think this governor will talk about increasing taxes,” Austin said. “All that’s left is to cut programs in other areas.” A new report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C., determined that the proposed increase in corrections spending would come at the expense of education. Landry has proposed cutting $165 million in education funding, including $40 million for state colleges and universities and $125 million for K-12 education, including teacher pay. (Landry backed a measure that would have paid for teacher raises by liquidating three education trust funds, but voters rejected the proposal in the May 16 election.) “They have made the decision to boost the funding for prisons while deprioritizing the investments in teachers,” said Michael Mitchell, author of the report. The state is forced to make cuts because Landry and the Republican-controlled legislature pushed through their 2024 criminal justice bills in less than two weeks without the typical debate over costs, said Sarah Omojola, director of the Louisiana office of the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit focused on criminal justice reform. “These rollbacks were very partisan and not supported by research, data or even fiscally sound policy,” Omojola said. “They just approved the bills before the legislative staff even computed what the full expenses were.” A Landry spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. Rep. Debbie Villio, a Republican from Kenner who sponsored the 2024 bills that eliminated parole and significantly reduced the ability of prisoners to reduce their sentences through good behavior, did not respond to a request for comment. “It is my position that this legislation will not ramp up prison population and costs,” Villio texted the Times-Picayune at the time the bills were passed. An Older, Sicker Prison Population The need for additional healthcare funds is yet another indicator of the costs associated with Landry’s changes to the state’s sentencing laws, said Bruce Reilly, deputy director of Voice of the Experienced, a New Orleans nonprofit that advocates for the rights of incarcerated people. Without the benefit of parole or the ability to reduce their sentences through good behavior, inmates will spend more time behind bars. That extra time will create an older and sicker population, Reilly said. The number of older prisoners was already on the rise prior to Landry due, in part, to lengthy sentences secured in the 1980s to 2000s by previous New Orleans district attorneys. Landry has asked for an increase of $14.3 million to pay for medical care in prisons for the next fiscal year, which begins in July. The administration is also asking for an additional $33 million for the current fiscal year to pay for medical care, overtime and supplies. Louisiana Prisoners Over the Age of 70 Experienced the Highest Change in Population Since 2019 Since Landry took office in 2024, the population of prisoners over 70 has gone up 28%, while the overall prison population rose by 8%. Prisoners over 70 typically represent a small portion of the overall prison population. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="2300" height="1038" js-autosizes src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png" alt="A multi-line chart showing the change in Louisiana’s prison population since 2019, by age group. Prisoners over the age of 70 saw the highest rate of change at 67%, followed by those between 60 and 69 at 26%, 40 to 49 at 10%, 50 to 59 at -5%, 30 to 39 at -8%, 20 to 29 at -25% and 16 to 19 at -29%." class="wp-image-80270" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png 2300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=300,135 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=768,347 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=1024,462 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=1536,693 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=2048,924 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=863,389 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=422,190 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=552,249 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=558,252 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=527,238 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=752,339 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=1149,519 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=2000,903 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=400,181 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=800,361 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=1200,542 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/la-prison-ages-fallback.png?resize=1600,722 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 2300px) 100vw, 2300px" /> Note: Prison totals used to calculate the rate for each age group are from Dec. 31 of each year. Source: Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Chris Alcantara/ProPublica A 2024 investigation by Verite News and ProPublica detailed allegations of unconstitutional medical care provided to inmates being held in Angola’s medical ward. Austin, the corrections expert, said that a medical system that for decades has struggled to care for its most vulnerable will “only worsen” under the strain of a rapidly expanding and aging population. In March, a federal appeals court threw out a lower-court order to have a court-appointed team oversee medical care at Angola, calling the proposed remedy “micromanagement” that violated the federal Prison Litigation Reform Act. The case has been sent back to the lower court. For years, as both attorney general and governor, Landry has defended Angola’s healthcare system, claiming that inmates are entitled to only “adequate” medical care — not specialized care or the best care possible. The legislature proposed two healthcare bills this year that would reduce medical costs. One that would restore medical parole and medical furlough as exceptions to the elimination of parole recently passed. Another, which would expand the time an inmate can be released into hospice, is still being considered. Current law allows prison officials to release terminally ill prisoners two months prior to their expected death, which is the shortest hospice-release window in the country, according to Families Against Mandatory Minimums, a nonprofit focused on criminal justice reform. The proposed bill would double that time to four months, which would still be the shortest by a wide margin. Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee have the next shortest window, at six months. “These people are on their death bed. Some of these people don’t even realize they’re in prison,” said corrections secretary Gary Westcott at a March hearing on the proposed bill. And the costs associated with caring for these inmates can be extraordinarily high, Westcott said. “We’re talking about changing diapers, feeding them. Most of them cannot do anything on their own,” he said, noting that once they are transferred to a hospital, those costs are picked up by Medicaid. The post Louisiana’s Tough-on-Crime Policies Stand to Cost Taxpayers Millions More for Years to Come appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Richard A. Webster.
Why hybrids — not EVs — are winning over US consumers
High gas prices are driving EV growth in other parts of the world — but American drivers are favoring hybrids.
Even as gas prices continued to rise across the United States, sales of electric vehicles fell in April. That is in contrast to strong growth elsewhere in the world, such as Europe. But American drivers are gravitating toward at least one more efficient powertrain: hybrids. Sales of new EVs fell roughly 18 percent from March to April, according to the latest data from Edmunds, an auto research firm. Another company, Cox Automotive, pegged the drop at closer to 6 percent. Either way, experts said it’s clear that high gas prices aren’t leading to a significant shift toward EVs. “There was a lot of window shopping,” said Ivan Drury, director of insights at Edmunds, noting that searches for electrified vehicles on the company’s site were strong. “It did not translate to tire-kicking and purchases.” Price remains the steepest barrier for most people, said Drury. While electric vehicles can be less expensive to operate over the long-term — especially when gas prices are high — the upfront costs remain significant. The average transaction price for an EV in April was $6,214 higher than for vehicles with internal combustion engines, Cox reported. “It’s still a cost hurdle,” said Stephanie Brinley, a principal automotive analyst at S&P Global Mobility. “You don’t know how long it’s going to take to get that back.” At Thursday’s average gas price of $4.56 per gallon, an EV buyer would have to drive more than 40,000 miles to make up the difference with a car that gets 30 mpg. Savings on maintenance, like oil changes, could accelerate that timeline, but factors such as higher insurance prices and having to install a home charger could make the payback period even longer. If fuel prices fall, the advantage of an EV also shrinks. “It’s very difficult for people to wrap their head around, ‘Hey, if I spend this $55,000, I might over time save’,” said Drury. “It requires a bit more math than most people want to go through.” The calculus is much simpler for hybrid vehicles, which utilize batteries that can improve fuel economy by 25 to 45 percent without needing to plug in. A Honda CR-V, for example, gets around 29 mpg while the hybrid version gets 37. More and more popular models are only available as hybrids, a strategy that Toyota has perhaps embraced most notably. Last year, it ditched the gas-only version of the Camry sedan. The 2026 RAV4 followed suit. Overall, Edmunds data shows that sales of hybrids are up 20 percent year-over-year and nearly 50 percent since February, when the U.S.-Iran conflict began. Sales of gas-powered gas are up about 11 percent over those same two months. “I think this is going to be a hybrid moment,” said Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of industry insights at Cox Automotive. “There are a lot of options.” Used EVs provided another somewhat bright spot, she said. The segment saw a 3 percent increase in sales from March to April and a price premium of only $1,096 over used internal combustion vehicles. Used EVs also sold faster than their used gas-powered counterparts. “They’re really selling efficiently,” said Valdez Streaty, who added that there should be a glut of EVs available throughout the year as leases end. “I don’t think the inventory will be an issue.” With Iran maintaining its hold over the Strait of Hormuz and summer travel season looming, gas prices appear set to keep climbing — which would only make an EV more appealing. Other parts of the world have seen significant jumps in sales since the conflict began, with Europe experiencing a surge and China setting an export record in April, according to BloombergNEF. In the United States, though, it seems that only people already in the market for EVs are making the leap. “Edge-case people,” as Brinley called them. Dramatic pump readings “might nudge them because they were already in that direction,” she said. “But what we’re unlikely to see is a shift in current [internal combustion car] owners just fundamentally making that change simply because of gas prices.” This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Why hybrids — not EVs — are winning over US consumers on May 22, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Tik Root.
Israel’s $700m Hasbara fiasco – how Ben-Gvir’s flotilla abuse video stirred backlash
ANALYSIS: By Mohammad Mansour A video posted by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in which he is seen taunting abducted flotilla activists who sought to break the siege on Gaza, has triggered a backlash and dealt a huge blow to Israel’s multimillion-dollar public relations campaign, known as “Hasbara”. The footage, posted on the
ANALYSIS: By Mohammad Mansour A video posted by Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in which he is seen taunting abducted flotilla activists who sought to break the siege on Gaza, has triggered a backlash and dealt a huge blow to Israel’s multimillion-dollar public relations campaign, known as “Hasbara”. The footage, posted on the social media platform X, showed Ben-Gvir gloating as activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla — including three New Zealanders — knelt on the floor, blindfolded, with their hands bound at the Port of Ashdod. Israeli naval forces had intercepted the flotilla’s vessels in international waters off the coast of Cyprus, illegally abducting 430 participants. READ MORE: Israel deports hundreds of Gaza aid flotilla activists amid global outcry Spanish MEP accuses EU of failure to act over Israeli ‘kidnapping, hijacking’ of Gaza flotilla activists Peters condemns Israeli minister over flotilla video as 3 Kiwis detained Peace Action demands NZ summon Israeli ambassador over brutal action against activists Other Gaza flotilla reports Among them, at least 87 launched a hunger strike in solidarity with the more than 9500 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The images of activists being dragged across the floor prompted several countries — including Italy, France, the Netherlands, Canada, and Spain — to summon Israeli ambassadors, condemning the “unacceptable” treatment and violation of human dignity. The collapse of the ‘Hasbara’ illusion Experts argue that the frantic damage control by Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered the rapid deportation of the activists, stems not from moral outrage over the abuses, but from the catastrophic damage done to Israel’s global image. “Netanyahu was dismayed not by Ben Gvir’s actions, but the fact he filmed and broadcasted them to appeal to his electorate ahead of the upcoming elections. Netanyahu himself, like Ben Gvir, called the members of the Gaza flotilla terrorist supporters. The term terrorist has now… pic.twitter.com/ITdcIRZD2E — State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) May 21, 2026 For decades, Israel has relied on “Hasbara” — a Hebrew term translating to “explanation” — a propaganda campaign to justify its policies and military actions against Palestinians to the international community. Fathi Nimer, a Palestine policy fellow at Al-Shabaka: The Palestinian Policy Network, told Al Jazeera that Hasbara is essentially state propaganda designed to “beautify the image of the occupation” by tailoring specific narratives to different global audiences. “The fundamental assumption of Hasbara is that Israel is always right, but the world simply doesn’t understand,” Nimer said. He noted that due to Israel’s deepening isolation following its war on Gaza, the state’s Hasbara budget is projected to leap from roughly $15 million in 2023 to an unprecedented $700 million by 2026. Yet, Ben-Gvir’s brazen video dismantled this heavily funded narrative in an instant. Global outrage over Israeli minister’s treatment of abuse Video: Al Jazeera “The Israeli leadership is treating this as a public relations crisis, not a moral one,” Nimer explained. “For Netanyahu, the sin was not the torture or humiliation of the activists; the sin was broadcasting it to the world. “Ben-Gvir, however, does not care about Israel’s external image; he performs these abuses for his domestic right-wing base, confident that Israel will face no material consequences.” Mtanes Shehadeh, an academic and expert on Israeli affairs, echoed this assessment. “The core problem for Israel is that this video transmitted its true reality to the entire world,” he told Al Jazeera. “It provided the globe with live, irrefutable evidence that structural violence and a disregard for human rights are foundational to the current Israeli establishment.” Itamar Ben-Gvir is not an anomaly in Israeli society. Hell, he’s not even an anomaly in the Israeli cabinet. Here’s Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev, also bragging about torturing the activists who tried to bring aid to Gaza. The entire barrel is rotten to the core. https://t.co/JYahRlhQ0x pic.twitter.com/naNAnvGhzt — Wyatt Reed (@wyattreed13) May 21, 2026 US double standards and ‘pro-terror’ sanctions The diplomatic fallout also laid bare the glaring contradictions in United States policy. Following the video’s release, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticised Ben-Gvir, stating the minister had “betrayed the dignity of his nation”. However, critics were quick to point out that Huckabee’s condemnation rang hollow, as it focused entirely on the indignity of the broadcast rather than the human rights violations committed. Furthermore, Huckabee’s remarks came just a day after the US Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on four organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, labelling the humanitarian mission a “pro-terror flotilla” in support of the Palestinian resistance group Hamas. The US sanctions targeted activists from the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad and the Palestinian prisoners’ solidarity network, Samidoun. Analysts highlight this as a stark double standard. While the US administration quickly moved to sanction humanitarian flotilla organisers, Palestinian civil society groups and International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors, it has consistently shielded far-right Israeli ministers like Ben-Gvir from accountability, even lifting prior sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128191" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide.png" alt="Flotilla activists being humiliated on board an Israeli prison ship after being kidnapped in international waters" width="680" height="507" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide-300x224.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide-80x60.png 80w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide-265x198.png 265w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide-563x420.png 563w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Flotilla activists being humiliated on board an Israeli prison ship in the Port of Ashdod after being kidnapped in international waters. Image: AJ screenshot APR A microcosm of Palestinian suffering For Palestinians, the humiliation endured by the European and international activists is merely a glimpse into a much darker, systemic reality. Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, said the bound and blindfolded activists represented a “microcosm” of what Palestinian prisoners endured daily. “This scene expresses the fascism of the entire Israeli government, not just Ben-Gvir,” Barghouti said. “If the government genuinely opposed these practices, they would have fired him immediately. “Instead, their audacity has reached the point of pirating ships in international waters.” Human rights groups estimate that nearly 100 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since October 2023, amid widespread reports of starvation, severe beatings and medical neglect. Luisa Morgantini, former vice president of the European Parliament, said the standard diplomatic response of summoning ambassadors is woefully inadequate. “It is a shame how our governments have behaved. They are complicit,” Morgantini said, calling on European nations to suspend their association agreements with Israel, halt arms sales, and actively back the ICC’s arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. <img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128172" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NZers-abducted-GSFAotearoa.png" alt="The three New Zealanders abducted by the Israel military" width="680" height="300" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NZers-abducted-GSFAotearoa.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NZers-abducted-GSFAotearoa-300x132.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> The three New Zealanders abducted by the Israel military . . . Mousa Taher (from left), Hāhona Ormsby, and Julien Blondel. Image: Instagram/@aotearoanz_globalsumud The ‘hammer’ and the flotillas Despite the military interceptions and the US sanctions, activists and analysts agree that the flotilla campaigns, which began in 2009 in response to Israeli land, sea and air blockades, have succeeded in exposing the limits of Israeli force. Nimer cited the American psychologist Abraham Maslow: “If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail.” “This is the only way the Israeli military knows how to act — through brute force and piracy,” Nimer said. “The role of Hasbara was to rationalise this brutality for global consumption. But as the flotillas continue to challenge the blockade, they accumulate small victories and deeply accelerate Israel’s popular global isolation, proving that the multimillion-dollar propaganda machine can no longer hide the reality on the ground.” Mohammad Mansour is a special correspondent of the Doha-based Al Jazeera global television network. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
In a rare show of global unity, countries adopt landmark climate ruling
Despite U.S. opposition, an overwhelming majority of nations agreed that failing to address climate change could be grounds to seek reparations.
About six years ago, law students at the University of the South Pacific convinced the government of the small island nation of Vanuatu to take the harms wrought by climate change all the way to the International Court of Justice, the world’s highest legal authority. Vanuatu, along with the students, waged a campaign to convince the court that climate change was a human rights issue and that countries have a legal duty to protect the planet for future generations. In 2025, the court sided with them unanimously. In a legally nonbinding advisory opinion, it ruled that the failure of countries to tackle climate change is a “wrongful act” and that other nations harmed by a warming planet may seek reparations. Now, the effort has notched another win. On Wednesday, an overwhelming majority of countries in the United Nations voted to adopt a resolution backing the court’s ruling. The historic decision signals the political support behind the court’s finding that countries have a legal responsibility to address climate change, reduce its impact, and offer reparations to those it has harmed. More than 140 countries voted in favor of the resolution. Just eight — including the United States, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Russia — voted against (28 countries abstained from the vote). “This must be a turning point in accountability for damaging the climate,” said Vishal Prasad, director of the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change and one of the law students who campaigned to take the case to the International Court of Justice, or ICJ. “The journey of this idea from classrooms in the Pacific to The Hague and the United Nations gives us continued hope that when people organize, the world can be moved to act.” The near-unanimous decision is a strong signal that multilateral cooperation on climate change has not completely unraveled. Over the past year, global unity on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has proven shaky. After Donald Trump’s administration announced it would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the United States has actively opposed climate action. Last year, it derailed countries that were close to setting a carbon tax on the shipping industry, which is responsible for about 3 percent of the world’s carbon emissions. A deal to regulate the industry’s emissions now seems uncertain. The U.S. has also helped kill a cap on plastics production and berated the International Energy Agency into projecting future energy demand under a scenario that climate action will stall out. “The unity and clarity expressed by the vote was striking,” said Nikki Reisch, director of the Center for International Environmental Law’s climate and energy program. Reisch said the resolution puts “political weight behind legal norms” and will help translate the international court’s conclusions into practical action. “It will become another pillar and proof of political backing for action and accountability.” The Trump administration also mounted a campaign to block the United Nations from adopting the landmark international court ruling. In February, the State Department sent a missive to all consulates and embassies noting that it “strongly opposed” the U.N. resolution and that its adoption “could pose a major threat to U.S. industry.” In remarks ahead of the vote, Tammy Bruce, a former conservative radio host and now deputy representative to the U.N. in New York, said that the resolution is “problematic” and that “the United States continues to have serious legal and policy concerns” about it. “The resolution singles out certain groups for preferential treatment and makes alarmist political statements, such as the idea that climate change is an unprecedented challenge of civilizational proportions,” Bruce said. “Such hyperbolic statements are not appropriate in a resolution on an ICJ advisory opinion.” <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2263375623.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2263375623.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2263375623.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2263375623.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2263375623.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=683&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2263375623.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2263375623.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2263375623.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="A woman in pink jacket with "United States" placard in front of her" data-caption="Tammy Bruce, deputy representative of the United States to the U.N. in New York, said the resolution is “problematic” and “makes alarmist political statements.” " data-credit="John Lamparski / Getty Images"/> Tammy Bruce, deputy representative of the United States to the U.N. in New York, said the resolution is “problematic” and “makes alarmist political statements.” John Lamparski / Getty Images The resolution reiterates the International Court of Justice’s core findings and calls on countries to implement measures to keep global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) while transitioning away from fossil fuels. It also affirms that nations must fulfill their climate obligations and that those countries harmed by others’ inaction are entitled to seek redress. Finally, the resolution calls on the United Nations’ secretary-general to submit a report next year on ways to comply with the international court’s findings. The resolution, like most U.N. resolutions, is not legally binding; rather, it’s intended to signal political priorities or views. The U.N. vote comes as countries are cracking down on climate activism and litigation. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the government moved to amend climate laws to limit civil court proceedings against major greenhouse gas emitters for climate-related harm. Māori climate advocate Mike Smith is among those whose cases could be affected. Recent reports have found that land theft and colonization have exacerbated the effects of climate change on the Indigenous Māori people, who are more likely to be affected by extreme weather events. Smith is currently pursuing high court proceedings against six of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, and he describes the U.N. vote as a “major shift,” arguing it reflects a changing understanding of climate change not just as environmental damage, but as something with legal consequences. “We know as Māori that the islands are part of our journey across the Pacific that’s led us here to Aotearoa,” he said. “New Zealand has a responsibility to stand with Pacific countries like Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tonga, and Tokelau. Not just symbolically, but in supporting stronger legal and international action on climate harm.” Although the U.N. vote is a victory for Indigenous activists from the Pacific and beyond, they believe that many countries still must be pushed to uphold their climate obligations. “The law is clear that climate action cannot sit on the shelf, it must be turned into action,” Prasad said. The Indigenous News Alliance contributed reporting to this story. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline In a rare show of global unity, countries adopt landmark climate ruling on May 22, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Naveena Sadasivam.
THE CULTURE MUSICAL CLUB (Zanzibar, Tanzania)
Vincent Moon’s Live Cinéma ☰ Festival la Guarimba, Calabria, Italy
Rare earths and rebel armies: How a conspiracy story with no evidence jumped from fringe sites to newsrooms
This is the second part of a three-part investigation. In Part One, we traced how a fabricated “exclusive investigation” alleging a secret India-Kachin Independence Army rare earths conspiracy first appeared... The post Rare earths and rebel armies: How a conspiracy story with no evidence jumped from fringe sites to newsrooms appeared first on Alt News.
This is the second part of a three-part investigation. In Part One, we traced how a fabricated “exclusive investigation” alleging a secret India-Kachin Independence Army rare earths conspiracy first appeared on Tech Bullion on November 18, 2025, and spread to four more pay-to-publish websites within eight days. The sites were linked to Pakistan- and Nepal-based SEO and PR networks. Key figures included Zeeshan Yousaf, a Pakistan-based SEO writer who bylined the original piece; Uzair Hassan, a Pakistani national connected to both Tech Bullion and Big News Network; and the Pariyar family, Nepali nationals behind at least two of the amplifying sites. None of the nine outlets contacted provided any evidence for their claims. Three deleted the story without explanation after being contacted. The story used real, documented events, including India’s preliminary rare earths conversations with the KIA, as a launchpad, but all its new allegations were unsubstantiated. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ The KIA has been fighting for an autonomous homeland in northern Myanmar since the 1960s. Since Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, it has also played a leading role in the country’s wider uprising to overthrow the junta. Conflict dynamics have added new dimensions to Myanmar’s rare earth mining industry, which has boomed over the past decade along the country’s eastern border with China. The industry is highly secretive, with no published permit data and mining sites tightly guarded. But import data reported by China indicates that Myanmar has in recent years surpassed China as the world’s largest supplier of heavy rare earth elements used in electric vehicles, precision-guided weapons and other geostrategic technologies. Satellite images show that the largest concentration of rare earth mining sites in Myanmar are near the town of Pangwa, in Kachin State’s Chipwi township. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315440" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-58.jpg" alt="" width="1434" height="1500" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-58.jpg 1434w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-58-287x300.jpg 287w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-58-979x1024.jpg 979w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-58-768x803.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1434px) 100vw, 1434px" /> This investigation found that the Tech Bullion article, and subsequent republications, extrapolate from established information to make new claims. In October of 2024, the Kachin Independence Army seized Pangwa, giving it new leverage over Myanmar’s rare earth mining industry. Reuters has since reported that in December of 2024, India’s state-run rare earth mining and refining firm, IREL, sent a study team to Kachin State, and that an Indian delegation including IREL held an online meeting with people from Kachin to discuss their “interest in reopening the rare-earths sector.” Reuters also reported that in July of 2025, India’s Ministry of Mines asked state-owned and private firms to explore collecting and transporting rare earth samples from areas under KIA control. Another Reuters report found that in July of 2025, the administration of United States President Trump heard proposals on ways the US could access rare earths from Myanmar, including by pursuing a deal with the KIA and cooperating with India. The Tech Bullion article appears to build off of this news to introduce new, unsubstantiated claims. The story alleged that India and the KIA are secretly partnering to construct a 365-kilometer road from India’s Vijaynagar, Arunachal Pradesh, to Myanmar’s Chipwi, Kachin State, in order for India to secure rare earths from Kachin, without approval from the Myanmar military. This investigation did not identify any evidence of plans or actions taken by India or the KIA to construct a road at these locations, or to collaborate in constructing a road at any location. The story also alleged that India and the KIA are secretly partnering to build a second road from the KIA’s headquarters of Laiza through Myanmar’s Sagaing Region to Rihkhawdar, Chin State, with funding partially sourced from Myanmar’s illegal timber smuggling networks. No evidence was found for this claim either. In exchange for access to Kachin’s rare earths, the story claimed, India is secretly providing the KIA with medical aid, logistical support and advanced weapons, transported through India’s border state of Arunachal Pradesh. This investigation did not identify any evidence of any current or planned military collaboration between India and the KIA, or any evidence that India was providing any form of military or technical support to the KIA. The story further claimed that the KIA has pledged to suppress “anti-India insurgent groups,” including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-K(YA), near Myanmar’s border with India. The NSCN-K(YA) is one of several sub-factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, which has for years launched cross-border attacks into Northeast India from bases in northern Myanmar. The Indian government considers the NSCN-K and its affiliates to be “unlawful” associations. This investigation did not identify any evidence to substantiate claims that the KIA had pledged to assist India in suppressing any armed groups in Myanmar. The story alleged that the KIA has tacitly endorsed India’s claims over disputed territory in Myanmar’s Chin State and Kabaw Valley. In February of 2025, tensions resurfaced over longstanding disputes about control over territory in these areas. This investigation did not identify any evidence to substantiate that allegation. The articles also attributed to an anonymous Myanmar military official the claim that the military would respond to unauthorized Indian operations in Myanmar with military action. Myanmar military publications have continued to highlight friendly ties and cooperation with India. This investigation did not identify any evidence to substantiate claims of unauthorized Indian operations in Myanmar. Both the Indian Embassy in Myanmar and the Kachin Independence Organization, the KIA’s administrative counterpart, have publicly rejected the allegations made in the Tech Bullion article and subsequent republications. For this investigation, we reached out to all nine websites that published the story with a request to substantiate the claims. None replied to a detailed list of questions or provided any evidence to substantiate their claims; three of these websites subsequently removed the story from their platforms without giving a reason. We also reached out to Neha Arora, a Reuters journalist who contributed reporting on India’s preliminary rare earths engagement with the KIA. “We did not contribute to the Silicon Valley Time report and have no new reporting beyond the article we published last year,” she said. A second cluster of articles was published over five days in December, on websites with ties to Myanmar or Northeast India. All of these articles reference the Silicon Valley Times article as their source of information. While it is considered journalistic best practice to give those being investigated the opportunity to respond, none of these outlets appear to have reached out to the Indian Embassy in Myanmar or the Kachin Independence Organization for comments. On December 13, the story was published in Burmese on the website CNI Myanmar, which ran a version on its English page four days later. CNI, which stands for Channel News Independent, regularly publishes content favorable toward the Myanmar military. An email sent to CNI bounced back; questions sent to CNI and a journalist listed on some CNI bylines, Chit Min Tun, over Facebook Messenger were delivered but went unanswered. <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315441" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-59.jpg" alt="" width="2412" height="1138" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-59.jpg 2412w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-59-300x142.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-59-1024x483.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-59-768x362.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-59-1536x725.jpg 1536w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-59-2048x966.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2412px) 100vw, 2412px" /> On December 14, a day after the article was published on CNI in Burmese, it was republished by Eleven Media Group, one of the largest Burmese-language news outlets. Eleven Media Group identifies as independent, but has published content favorable toward the military since the coup. An emailed list of questions sent to Eleven Media Group went unanswered. <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315442" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-60.jpg" alt="" width="1302" height="1500" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-60.jpg 1302w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-60-260x300.jpg 260w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-60-889x1024.jpg 889w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-60-768x885.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1302px) 100vw, 1302px" /> Also on December 14, a version of the story was published in English in the Ukrhul Times, an online news site originating in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, India. Unlike the previous versions of the article, this version notes that the Indian embassy in Myanmar denied the article’s allegations, referencing the embassy’s response to The Statesman as reported by NP News. The Ukhrul Times did not reply to an emailed list of questions. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315443" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-61.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1436" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-61.jpg 1500w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-61-300x287.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-61-1024x980.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-61-768x735.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /> An English version of the story was also published on December 14 on myanmar.com, a self-described travel, culture and business website. The website’s news tab has since been cleared, but its Facebook page still displays the article. It shows a dateline of Ukhrul, indicating that this version may have been republished from the Ukhrul Times website. Facebook analytics for the myanmar.com page show an address in Sherman, Texas and a contact email for a Thomas Winn. Thomas Winn did not reply to our questions emailed to him. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315444" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-62.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1110" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-62.jpg 1500w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-62-300x222.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-62-1024x758.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-62-768x568.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /> Coming in Part Three: Beginning two weeks after the story’s first appearance, it was shared across X and Facebook in four coordinated waves, overwhelmingly by accounts originating in Pakistan. We examine who those accounts are, how the posts were coordinated, and what the amplification pattern reveals about who may be behind the campaign — including a previously unreported overlap between the publishing infrastructure used in this story and that associated with Spamouflage, a pro-China influence operation. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Emily Fishbein is a freelance journalist and fellow with the Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Investigations Network. Jauman Naw is a freelance journalist from Myanmar. The post Rare earths and rebel armies: How a conspiracy story with no evidence jumped from fringe sites to newsrooms appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Abhishek Kumar.
Multidisciplinary artist and writer Vic Liu on the relationship between love and labor
When did you start working as an artist full-time? And how did you come to design in particular?
When did you start working as an artist full-time? And how did you come to design in particular? Art has always been a key part of how I experience and process life, but it was never seen as a possible or legitimate career. I was raised with the scarcity trauma of most immigrant families, and art was not an established path towards getting healthcare. I studied international relations in undergrad. My thesis was on the fragmentation of the armed opposition in Syria. I was mapping what some have called the “10,000” armies of the opposition, and it didn’t make sense for it to be in text. Text is very linear. It’s from point A to point B. But when it comes to really complex systems like armed opposition groups, that doesn’t make sense as a medium for communication. All over Syria, across the different provinces, within every individual city, there were people individually deciding to take up arms, people who had been a dentist the day before and were now joining a militia. It was impossible for text to capture the complex simultaneousness of what was happening. Moreover, I had started to become aware of how deeply text locks people out. I often say that text is elitist, which I say with love as someone who deeply loves reading. My mother’s second language is English. She has incredible professional English, but it doesn’t come naturally. It’s very laborious for her to read. My grandmother didn’t learn how to read and write until she was an adult. I feel like I’ve always been around people who are extraordinarily intelligent, but locked out of this fortress of information barricaded within text. So I turned to design. When done right, information design allows us to access crucial understanding of the world around us. Design has the ability to communicate information intuitively, no matter if English is someone’s first or second language. It gives you multiple entryways, pathways, and options for communication. As I started working more and more with design, it became very clear to me that what I loved so deeply about the complexities of the information I was working with was the people and their stories. I was deeply concerned with representing their humanity on the page. For The Warehouse, I wanted every single page to feel very human. I wanted to make the book out of materials and mediums that were available inside prison walls. I wanted the reader to always remember that within these pages of statistics are tons and tons of individual stories, individual lives, individual tragedies, individual victories. I handpainted most of the book. I chose to draw thousands of individual silhouettes for one of the infographics, rather than copy and pasting. There is a thread throughout my body of work that relates deeply to labor. I have been thinking recently about how there is no love without labor, how I use labor as a way to offer care and respect, to hold vigil over the stories I am trying to tell. I sometimes have the urge to ask viewers if they think it was worth it, if the amount of labor I put into a piece shows. But this is besides the point. The means are the ends, especially because the means take up the bulk of life. If you don’t value the process, the thousands of moments within the making, then the whole thing doesn’t make sense. I feel like the body is so central to your work, whether it’s the freedom of the body in BANG or the confinement of the body in The Warehouse. Is that something you’re consciously thinking about in your art making? What do you think has drawn you to that theme throughout your work? I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at five years old, and I always knew that my life would be shaped by my body’s condition. I remember learning that because I was diagnosed with diabetes, I would live on average 15 years shorter than the average person without diabetes. I think when you learn something like that at a young age, you start to understand the fallibility of the body, the fragileness of the body, but also the humility of what it means to exist in this fragile meat case that we’re all walking around in. I think when you understand how much of your existence is tied to your body, it grounds you in a place of empathy for other humans. I truly believe that my experience as an insulin-dependent diabetic is part of how I came to the work of prison abolition. I have experienced many times in my life where my wellbeing, whether I lived or died, relied entirely on a decision made by a faceless businessman that cared more about his bottom line than me. It is one thing to understand power and injustice intellectually, another thing entirely to understand it with your body. How do you start a project? Why do you decide to work on certain things? Where do those ideas come from? There is a moment when I am struck so strongly with this sheer conviction that something should exist. It happened with BANG and it also happened with The Warehouse. I remember the exact moment I identified the issue that The Warehouse is designed to address—-the lack of visibility of the impact of incarceration, the way that prisons disappear people, as Angela Davis says. I felt so strongly that visual arts could help chip away at this boundary, especially given that it’s so hard to get photographs in and out of prison. The moment is characterized by this feeling of overwhelming conviction and gut instinct. If I was more Homeric, I’d probably say that this is the moment when the muse thwacks you on the head. But really, it’s simply this deep feeling that I can make something that needs to exist in the world. Your work is incredibly interdisciplinary. It spans writing, visual art, and activism. How do these different disciplines talk to each other? And does working across forms create friction? Or do they feed each other, or both? I was quite anxious growing up that I didn’t have a specific calling. I was decent at math, but I wasn’t a math superstar. I loved learning many subjects, and could never tell you what I wanted to do with my life. I envied the certainty of having a singular superpower, the certainty of knowing your purpose and destiny. Since then, I’ve come to the belief that we are all very good at many different things, and in fact our brains need many different forms of stimulation in order for us to function as people. Capitalism very much has instilled this idea that we are supposed to have only one thing and excel in it, because it makes organizing the workforce easier. But that is a delusion entirely divorced from the wide breadth of any individual. There is a deep tension between our inherent urge to categorize people for efficiency and the effort or patience needed to understand each individual’s multitudes and complexities. I’ve always been drawn to making things with my hands, and yet there are some stories that call me to text as a medium for their telling. I now feel very lucky for the wide range of tools availed by being multidisciplinary in my search to tell each story well. More than anything, living multidisciplinary is characterized by organizing different parts of your brain. It is both an essential need and an opportunity. There’s a lot of beautiful monotony in producing visual art. I love the devotion of it. I also feel very lucky for the space it offers to ferment my writing in the depths of my mind. During that time I can almost feel the words of that morning’s writing percolating and fermenting in the back of my head. It’s like switching to a different language. What has working inside prisons taught you about creativity? I think that if anything, prison shows the extremes of humans. You see people at their best and at their worst inside the impossible conditions of prison: whether they are incarcerated there, employed there, or visiting. Prisons are a font for creativity and art. My co-author James [Kilgore] wrote four out of his six books in prison, two of them with little golf pencils. It is so clear to me that the desire to create is innate in every single person. People often say, “well, you can’t eat a painting.” Perhaps this is true, but it is still essential sustenance for survival. Art offers clarity. It offers insight. It offers the ability to transmute the confounding chaos that is life in this world. Can you walk me through your day-to-day process? I will start by saying that leading up to The Warehouse exhibition, there is no routine left. The routine has gone out the window. Except for sleeping. Sleeping is my one stalwart place of sanctity. I try to go to bed by 11 and I usually wake up around 7 or 7:30. I have never been someone who can survive on four hours of sleep—-those people baffle me. When I’m not in such a big push, I try to write for two hours when I first wake up. For the exhibition, I’ve had to let that go temporarily, because when the writing ferments and stays with me throughout the day, it costs a lot of energy. But now that the art in the exhibition is up, I’m slowly returning to the routine. The creative cycles are not dependable. I’ll have these bursts of intense activity where I have these massive deadlines and am painting and painting—-and then nothing. So for example, for this exhibition, I was painting about 10 hours a day for 3 months straight, which was a bit too much. Now, I’m trying to relearn how to rest. It has never come easily to me, but especially after a long push, it requires a lot of patient retraining of my mind and body. And I give myself a gold star every day that I eat lunch. How do you avoid burnout? The world we live in is designed to burn us out. Burnout is by no means a personal failure. Burnout is a natural response to the crisis and chaos we live in, in a society where our needs as human beings are not being served or prioritized. Sometimes all I can do to care for myself is avoid the small stressors. I try to respect myself as a fragile little being. I find that large crowds and loud noises burn me out quite a lot. When I’m in times of deep intense work, I avoid subways as much as possible, and try my hardest to stay within walking distance of home. I try to sleep as much as I can. I’ve learned to take naps, which was also not something that came naturally to me, but even just putting a pillow over my head for 10 minutes after a long call is revolutionary. For me, burnout has a lot to do with two factors. One, overwhelm-—a ton of demands that exceed your comfort level. Two, a lack of clarity. So, when you can’t get rid of one, perhaps you can try to decrease the other. What has been so incredible about this exhibition is how much clarity I have in why I’m doing this and what I’m doing it for. And because of that, even though the demands have been very high, I think that that has helped to lighten the load. What are the rewards of your creative work? Perhaps some people imagine that I am just crying into my paintbrush all day long. And true, it’s very heavy work. It often feels like I spend my days gazing into the abyss. But the people that I find next to me in this abyss are incredible. They know the abyss, and they still choose everyday to hope and try to dismantle it. I encounter so much joy and inspiration and wonder every day. There is a radical honesty to this work. It acknowledges that the world is a very difficult and often cruel place. And it still takes it on. Perhaps this isn’t the question that you asked, but this is how I’ll answer it. What keeps me going is knowing that I get to die. This sounds so dark, but it’s not. We’re very small. The pyramids of Giza were written about in the Quran because they are that old. We are so small in this long, long line of humans and all we have to do is try our hardest, make some friends, see some sunsets, and then we die. We don’t have to fix everything. We just have to try. Vic Liu recommends: Pan-banging your chocolate chip cookies. I am currently obsessed with perfecting the chocolate chip cookie, and I recommend two techniques: 1. Banging the pan so that they collapse into the perfect chewy but caramelized thin cookie, and 2. Taking the cookie out while the middle is still underbaked. Hanging out in your local library. Your local public library is one of the very few true third spaces we have left. It is the commons. Hanging out there will bring you more into your community. I promise. New and used bookstores. Bookstores that sell used and new books usually have incredible curation with a much vaster variety than entirely new bookstores. Their inventory not only has accessible prices, it tends to span decades and cultivate very diverse clientele. Examples include Birchbark Books in Minneapolis, The Word is Change in Bed-Stuy, Uncharted Books in Chicago (though I am biased because this one is run by my friend), and Topos Bookstore. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. I know that the canon itself recommends Catch-22, but in my opinion, it is a very rare and extraordinary example of satire done right. So much bad satire I encounter today fails at pathos. Catch-22 manages to break your heart with its humor. La Cocina Mexicana de Socorro y Fernando Del Paso. An incredible cookbook that is brave enough to give you the simple recipes, without a shtick in sight. This content originally appeared on The Creative Independent and was authored by Colleen Hamilton.
Bulldozer action in Kolkata: Demolition stayed by court, panic and uncertainty linger
The Calcutta high court on May 15 stayed the demolition drive underway in Kolkata’s Topsia neighbourhood, ordering the authorities to maintain status quo at the site. The order effectively stopped... The post Bulldozer action in Kolkata: Demolition stayed by court, panic and uncertainty linger appeared first on Alt News.
The Calcutta high court on May 15 stayed the demolition drive underway in Kolkata’s Topsia neighbourhood, ordering the authorities to maintain status quo at the site. The order effectively stopped the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) bulldozer action following a fire at the premises of Delta Leather Corporation on Gulam Jilani Khan Road that claimed two lives. The demolition drive, ordered after public remarks by West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari and minister Agnimitra Paul, has since come under intense scrutiny. Critics have described it as arbitrary and contrary both to the legal provisions governing demolition of allegedly illegal structures and to multiple Supreme Court rulings laying down safeguards against what has popularly come to be known as “bulldozer justice”. Deepening the controversy further, the affected family alleged that the KMC put up a backdated notice on the second day of the demolition drive, in complete disregard of the law. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315608 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Copy-of-FI-Kit-85-1024x536.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="424" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Copy-of-FI-Kit-85-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Copy-of-FI-Kit-85-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Copy-of-FI-Kit-85-768x402.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Copy-of-FI-Kit-85.jpg 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> The partially demolished Delta Leather Corporation building in Tiljala remains barricaded under police supervision on May 16, 2026, and (Right) the Notice for evacuating the property put up by KMC dated May 12 | Photos: Alt News Fire at Delta Leather Corporation The workshop of Delta Leather Corporation caught fire on May 12 at around 11:30 am. Fire brigade personnel were pressed into service, and the blaze was brought under control by approximately 4:30 pm. Two workers identified as Md Hasanur Zaman (40) and Rajesh (35) died after inhaling toxic fumes, while three others sustained serious injuries. According to Shama Suhail and Nazia Firdous, members of the owner’s family Alt News spoke to, the injured workers were admitted to Chittaranjan Hospital and a police investigation began soon after. One member of the owner’s family and a senior factory worker — were arrested in connection with the incident. Later that evening, Agnimitra Paul visited the spot and publicly claimed that the fire had occurred in an illegally constructed building, demanding that the structure be demolished. Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari echoed the demand shortly afterwards. A notification was then issued through the chief secretary directing demolition of the building. According to Shama and Nazia, around 3:30 to 4 pm on May 13, four to five bulldozers arrived at the premises, accompanied by a large contingent of central armed forces and Kolkata Police personnel, who barricaded the area before the demolition began. The demolition continued from the evening of May 13 until May 15, before local residents intervened after news of the high court’s status-quo order spread. Md Izam Alam, a shopkeeper from Park Circus whose shop lies near the demolition site, described the scene on May 13. “The police came and ordered us to vacate the streets. Immediately, multiple troops of paramilitary forces and police officers from the Tiljala police station barricaded the area,” Alam told Alt News. He said barricades were erected directly in front of his shop to seal off the road. “When the bulldozer arrived, the public panicked. It felt like a trauma was being triggered,” he added. What the KMC Act Says KMC authorities had pasted a notice at the entrance of the property under Section 401 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, 1980. However, a reading of the Act reveals significant procedural questions surrounding the demolition drive. Section 401 pertains to stopping ongoing illegal construction. Under this provision, the responsibility for removing unauthorised construction lies with the person undertaking it. The actual power to order demolition flows from Section 400 of the Act. But the section also prescribes safeguards and procedural checks. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315552 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.45.35-1024x769.jpeg" alt="" width="810" height="608" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.45.35-1024x769.jpeg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.45.35-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.45.35-768x577.jpeg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.45.35.jpeg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> Building adjacent to the Delta Leather Corporation partially demolished | Photo: Ankita Mahalanobish Section 400(1) states: “The Municipal Commissioner may, in addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, make an order directing that such erection or work shall be demolished by the person at whose instance the erection or the work has been commenced or is being carried on or has been completed within such period, not being less than five days and more than fifteen days from the date on which a copy of the order of demolition with a brief statement of the reasons therefor has been delivered to such person as may be specified in the order.” The provision further states: “Provided that no order of demolition shall be made unless such person has been given, by means of a notice served in such manner as the Municipal Commissioner may think fit, a reasonable opportunity of showing cause why such order shall not be made.” In effect, the law requires authorities to provide the alleged violator with an opportunity to respond and mandates a minimum time window of five to fifteen days before demolition can take place. According to the family, these safeguards were not followed. “After the fire incident, the building was sealed by the police and we were living elsewhere. All of a sudden, we received calls from the locals that bulldozers had come to demolish our workshop and house,” said the family members. The family lived on the fourth floor of the four-storeyed building, while the remaining floors housed the leather bag manufacturing unit. Eleven family members, including six children, lived there. According to the family, no evacuation notice was issued before the demolition. “When we reached the spot after hearing from our neighbours that bulldozers had come to demolish our workshop and home, we were at our wits’ end. We begged the police to at least provide 24 hours, so that we can remove the important family documents, furniture or other movable stuff. But they only allowed us 15 minutes to take out only the valuables, such as ornaments. They didn’t allow us to access and retrieve the factory documents or other documents,” Shama and Nazia pointed out. The notice pasted at the premises was dated May 12, while demolition began on May 13, well before the minimum period contemplated under Section 400. When was the Notice Put up? When we scanned through videos of the demolition, we found that the KMC notice that is currently visible was not there on the entrance of the workshop. See the footage below: Kolkata, West Bengal: An illegal building in Tiljala, where a recent fire incident led to the death of two people, is being demolished following directions from the Chief Minister. A large police contingent, along with CRPF personnel, has been deployed at the site to maintain law… pic.twitter.com/7oOXjnQsAf — IANS (@ians_india) May 13, 2026 According to the family, the KMC began demolishing the building before issuing any notice. A backdated notice (dated May 12) was pasted on the night of May 14 in complete disregard to legal provisions. “When the demolition began, no notice was issued. Later on, a stop-work notice under section 401 of KMC Act and an evacuation notice under section 412(2) was pasted on the front gate of the property. This notice was issued back dated. That is, a May 12 notice was pasted on May 14. They knew what they had done was unlawful, so they tried to cover up their tracks,” said advocate Samim Ahmed who represented the affected family in the Calcutta high court. The Act does contain a provision permitting immediate demolition if the mayor-in-council of the building department determines that urgent action is necessary. However, in this case, the calls for demolition were publicly made by the chief minister and one of his cabinet colleagues. Lawyer Nazir Ahamed, representing the family, said the legal process was bypassed altogether. “There is a process for demolition of illegal buildings in the KMC area. First, a notice under section 401 of the KMC Act has to be issued. It is mandated that a minimum of 15 days has to be provided, so that the aggrieved party can reach the court, and it is the court which will decide whether a structure is illegal or not. This entire process was bypassed,” he said. He further added: “The demolition was done in the presence of the DG of KMC’s Building Department. No prior evacuation notice was issued.” Family Disputes Claims of Illegality The owner’s family also disputed allegations that the building itself was illegal. “We have been using this building, almost for the past 35-40 years. It has a sanctioned building plan, the leather workshop has a valid factory license till 2029, and we are regularly paying property tax to the government. If there is any anomaly, why didn’t the authorities issue a single notice of non-compliance before?” Shama Suhail asked. After the fire, sections of the media reported that the premises housed a tannery storing hazardous chemicals in a densely populated area. The family denied this claim. “We have a tannery unit elsewhere. At this location, bags and other leather goods were only cut and stitched. No harmful chemicals were present at the spot,” they said. Supreme Court’s Stand on Demolitions The controversy surrounding the Topsia demolition also echoes a series of judicial pronouncements on forced evictions and demolitions. In multiple judgments, the Supreme Court has held that the right to life under Article 21 cannot be separated from the rights to shelter and livelihood. Courts have repeatedly observed that demolitions without notice violate constitutional guarantees of dignity and due process. In Ajay Maken vs Union of India (2019), the Delhi high court laid down detailed procedural safeguards governing evictions and demolitions. The court held that authorities must issue a written notice, provide a fair hearing, consider rehabilitation, and ensure proportionality before carrying out demolition. The Supreme Court reiterated similar principles in its November 2024 judgment addressing so-called “bulldozer justice”. A bench comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Vishwanathan observed that such actions “remind one of a lawless state of affairs where might was right”. Former CJI Gavai later described the verdict as one of the most satisfying judgments of his tenure. The full judgment can be read here. The Supreme Court’s directions mandated safeguards including a 15-day notice period, personal hearing, reasoned order, and a cooling-off period to allow affected persons to seek legal remedies — principles that closely mirror the procedural protections already embedded in Section 400 of the KMC Act. An officer at Tiljala police station, whom Alt News spoke to refused to respond to our queries on whether legal provisions were followed in the demolition drive. In January 2026, Article 14 reported how the Supreme Court’s directives on the legal process of demolition were being ignored by BJP-ruled states without any consequence. Adjoining Building also Damaged The demolition drive also affected an adjoining building. According to the family, Delta Leather Corporation had rented only the first floor of the neighbouring structure to house factory workers. No manufacturing activity took place there. “The first floor of the neighbouring building was used only to house the workers of our factory. No manufacturing took place there, but just because it was associated with us, it also got demolished,” the family said. When Alt News visited the area, the first-floor balcony of the damaged structure still bore signs of the bulldozer action. Household items, including cooking utensils, baskets, gas cylinders and other belongings, remained scattered inside. The Calcutta High Court’s interim order has currently stalled the demolition drive till June 22, 2026. Senior advocates including Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya and Samim Ahammed appeared for the affected family. In his order, Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury stated, “Considering the prima facie case made out, there shall be an order of status quo. The petitioners are also restrained from making any improvement and/or restoring the building to its original position. It is also made clear if any portions of the building have already become dangerous, the municipal authorities in consultation with the petitioners shall remove such dangerous portion however, barring the same no further demolition shall take place without leave of this Court.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315566 size-large" style="font-weight: bold" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.41-770x1024.jpeg" alt="" width="770" height="1024" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.41-770x1024.jpeg 770w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.41-226x300.jpeg 226w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.41-768x1021.jpeg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.41.jpeg 963w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px" /> Parked bulldozer containing concrete rubbles after the Calcutta high court stalled the demolition drill in Tiljala | Photo: Ankita Mahalanobish The Bulldozers Left Behind Fear and Uncertainty Beyond the legal questions surrounding the demolition drive lies another story — that of fear and uncertainty associated with the now deeply politicised imagery of the bulldozer. An innocuous machine associated with construction and development has, in contemporary India, acquired an altogether different political meaning. The bulldozer is no longer merely a tool for demolition, it has emerged as an emblem of intimidation and state power. Its arrival signifies more than the destruction of homes or neighbourhoods; it announces a spectacle of punishment in public view, generating panic and a climate of fear. Consequently, ‘Bulldozer Justice’ has become a model of retributive violence. It was largely popularized by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in which bulldozers are deployed by the authorities to raze down the house of an accused before a case or a dispute reaches a judicial closure. ALSO READ: The journey of ‘bulldozer justice’: From Right Wing fringe elements to Modi’s election vocabulary That atmosphere was palpable in Tiljala when the Alt News team visited the locality a day after the demolition drive had been halted by the high court. Three bulldozers stood parked beside Dhopar Pukur, a local pond. One still carried chunks of broken concrete in its bucket. CAPF personnel remained deployed across the area alongside Kolkata Police. Barricades lay stacked along the roadside, while two adjacent buildings marked for demolition continued to remain cordoned off under heavy security. The neighbourhood felt tense and deeply unsettled. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315562 size-large" style="font-weight: bold" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.30-1024x768.jpeg" alt="" width="810" height="608" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.30-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.30-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.30-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.30.jpeg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> Three bulldozers parked a few meters away from the affected area | Photo: Anindya Hazra Mumtaz Begum, locally known as Baby Miraz, recalled the events of May 13. Around 3 pm that day, she said, police personnel and CAPF troops entered the locality alongside a bulldozer. “The sight of the bulldozer invoked fear in our hearts,” she told Alt News. “I ran to stop the bulldozer and asked the police whether they had any notice to demolish the building, or any explanation for bringing a bulldozer into our lane. They showed us no paperwork and gave no reason.” According to Miraz, the following day, the bulldozer began demolishing an adjacent building, leaving its residents homeless. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315567 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.24-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" width="768" height="1024" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.24-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.24-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.24.jpeg 960w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> Baby Miraz, a local resident of the area, who spoke with Alt News “At least 40 people lived in this building. They were asked to vacate the property within two hours. They are now homeless. Administration did not clarify the real problem behind it. Just the word ‘illegal construction’ echoed all around,” she said. Miraz further alleged that residents of the building adjacent to the factory were forced to spend the night on the streets after the demolition drive began. Reflecting on the scale of security deployment, she added, “There were CRPF personnel everywhere. It felt as though the area was being treated like a terrorist hideout.” As Miraz spoke, local residents gradually gathered around, eager to voice their anxiety and anger. One elderly woman told Alt News, “I have lived here for decades. I have seen three governments come and go, but I have never witnessed anything like this. So many police personnel and CAPF troops have been deployed, and homes are being razed before our eyes. I am frightened.” Another resident echoed the uncertainty gripping the locality: “Today it’s someone else’s house, next it could be mine. I don’t know what is happening. Everything was fine until now. Overnight, a fear of homelessness looms over us.” A young man standing nearby drew parallels between the Tiljala demolitions and similar drives carried out in other parts of the country. “How am I supposed to feel when the CM of my state wants ‘Gaza-like action’?” he asked. “He has repeatedly said he will work only for a certain section of the population. He wants to corner us. We feel concerned.” ALSO READ: ‘Gaza-like lesson’ to ‘everyone’s CM’ — Suvendu’s inclusive pitch contrasts sharply with communal rhetoric The youth also questioned the absence of local Trinamool Congress MLA Javed Khan during the crisis. “Where is our MLA Javed Khan, or his son? We haven’t seen their faces this whole time. Where is he when the people need him?” he said. He contrasted Khan’s absence with the presence of other political figures in the locality. “Satarup (Ghosh, CPM leader) was nominated as a candidate from our assembly constituency for the last three terms, but hardly any people voted for him, yet he was here for the people, helping us, supporting us. Even the Domkol MLA was here to handle the situation. But our own MLA was nowhere to be found.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315611" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.28-1-1024x768-1.jpeg" alt="" width="800" height="600" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.28-1-1024x768-1.jpeg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.28-1-1024x768-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-19-at-17.46.28-1-1024x768-1-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /> Paramilitary personnel patrol the lanes of Tiljala on May 16 | Photo: Anindya Hazra Another local resident spoke about the fear associated with what many now recognise nationally as “bulldozer action”. “All this while, we have seen ‘Bulldozer action’ in other BJP-ruled states; it has not been a month, and a bulldozer has entered our locality and begun tearing down homes. Only we know the fear we are living with,” the resident said. In search of displaced families, Alt News visited another residence in the locality. There, we met Dulari Begum, who described an atmosphere of collective trauma in the neighbourhood. “Everyone here is traumatised. We built these homes with care, with years of labour and savings. Watching a bulldozer destroy our neighbours’ homes has instilled fear in all of us,” she said. She added that many of those displaced were working-class families — labourers, drivers and daily wage earners struggling to survive in the city. “Most of them were ordinary people trying to survive,” she said. “To lose the roof over your head with barely 12 hours’ notice is gut-wrenching.” Other residents told Alt News that schools in the locality had remained shut since the operation began. Mentor Public School, they said, has suspended classes since May 14, underscoring the wider disruption and lingering climate of fear that now hangs over the neighbourhood. It was clear that the impact of the demolition drive extended beyond the immediate destruction of homes and buildings. The post Bulldozer action in Kolkata: Demolition stayed by court, panic and uncertainty linger appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Anindya Hazra.
"Death to America and Israel" Chants in Tehran
Pacific concerns about militarisation – and NZ’s role as part of it
Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand’s government is increasingly eager to promote the buy-in of Pacific nations for closer Defence Force integration in the region, amid concerns about militarisation of the region. The security environment has been shifting rapidly, and regional defence is becoming more complex, leaving Pacific Islanders wondering if their
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist New Zealand’s government is increasingly eager to promote the buy-in of Pacific nations for closer Defence Force integration in the region, amid concerns about militarisation of the region. The security environment has been shifting rapidly, and regional defence is becoming more complex, leaving Pacific Islanders wondering if their “Ocean of Peace” is slipping out of their grasp. In recent months, the defence and police forces of Australia and New Zealand have been increasing cooperation with counterparts in Pacific countries — including Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu — in efforts to combat transnational crime, especially the illicit drug trade. READ MORE: Other NZ defence policy reports But as a number of Pacific Island countries weigh up signing major bilateral treaties or agreements with the likes of Australia, China and the United States, New Zealand has been steadily pushing Pacific regional defence cooperation on a number of fronts. The communiqué from last October’s South Pacific Defence Ministers Meeting (SPDMM) in Chile is instructive. The SPDMM — which involves New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Fiji, France, Papua New Guinea and Tonga — notes the leadership role New Zealand has taken on better coordinating regional defence architecture. New Zealand is contributing to the militarisation of the Pacific, says Pacific historian Marco de Jong. Image: RNZ Pacific The member countries agreed to push for a defence advisor from their collective to be embedded in the secretariat of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), whose secretary-general Baron Waqa attended the Chile meeting and appeared to support closer integration. While the advisor position is yet to be established, the SPDMM is surging ahead with a range of new regional defence initiatives, including developing the Pacific Response Group, under which defence personnel from Australia, Fiji, France, New Zealand and PNG work together to support coordinated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief responses across the Pacific. Social licence A briefing from the March joint meeting of the Defence and Foreign ministers of Australia and New Zealand, emphasised how they aim to promote “the sense of integration through Pacific defence forces’ and to “enhance the sense of Pacific forces meeting Pacific security needs”. It also highlighted a keenness to “get more links between SPDMM and PIF so that these voices are heard directly by the region”. “The briefings reveal New Zealand’s role in integrating and aligning Pacific defence forces alongside a considerable anxiety about regional social licence,” Pacific historian Marco de Jong said. He said the language being used “speaks to a programme of influence and public relations, calibrated to downplay criticism that New Zealand is contributing to the militarisation of the Pacific”. A representative with Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era, Maureen Penjueli, who is also a long time advocate for Indigenous rights in the region, said there had been a lack of consultation with the wider Pacific Islands region about the new defence tack. “We’ve seen so much occupation by those in the defence interests area. For example, the Australian National Security College takes a very primary seat at the Pacific Islands Forum on security. We’ve got competing interests, which is the Fusion Centre that’s in Vanuatu,” Penjueli said. “When you add more and more players to this regional architecture that already has enough players on defence and security, it complicates the governance structure in a way. Who does it respond to? Who is it answerable to? “It does not go through the rigour of national consultations, consultations with civil society around some of these bigger significant shifts around defence and security.” Maureen Penjueli at a US Institute of Peace panel discussion . . . “We were told that this is to ready the region in an anticipation, to contain China.” Image: FB/Pacific Network on Globalisation Long-standing partner New Zealand is a long-standing contributor to Pacific regional initiatives, and its Defence Force is well valued in the region, especially in responding to disasters, humanitarian needs, transnational crime and maritime security threats, and also including in training support. New Zealand’s Defence Minister Chris Penk, who replaced Judith Collins in the role since March’s 2+2 Ministerial Meeting with Australia, said that New Zealand always sought to adapt its work with Pacific partners to their context, culture and operational needs. He told RNZ Pacific that in order to support closer cooperation between Pacific militaries, members were also looking at a SPDMM Status of Forces Agreement. “This would provide a common legal framework for personnel to deploy into each other’s countries more easily, strengthening our collective ability to respond to maritime security challenges as well as humanitarian and disaster relief events.” Asked if New Zealand is contributing to militarisation of the Pacific Islands, Penk said Pacific partners had warmly welcomed the country’s continued presence and partnership in the region “The New Zealand Defence Force contributes to regional responses where it is agreed that defence force personnel and assets should be involved, including humanitarian assistance, maritime domain awareness, fisheries patrols, and search and rescue operations. “As a Pacific military, we are proud to work alongside our Pacific partners to help respond to the challenges facing our region.” NZ Defence Minister Chris Penk . . . “This would provide a common legal framework for personnel to deploy into each other’s countries more easily.” Image: RNZ/Nathan McKinnon ‘Ocean of Peace’ Penjueli warned that militarisation of the region was escalating against the wishes of most Pacific Islands people. Making things more complicated, she said, was the growing number of security treaties and agreements that Island countries were being drawn to. She said they were no longer just about defence or security inter-operability, and often included development and economic dimensions, arrangements that “entangled” Pacific countries into wide ranging commitments beyond traditional military and security ties. Penjueli worried that the interests of the Island countries themselves were more than ever being buried under broader geopolitical jostling. “We were told that this is to ready the region in an anticipation, to contain China, and we’re told that this is about the drug trade and the drug war that’s taking place. “Yet for the Pacific, climate change or the climate crisis, remains our significant issue around security. So, I think the agendas are very different.” At their last leaders summit, PIF countries signed up to the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration, formally committing the region to peace, sovereignty, and climate justice. However, Penjueli said being a true ocean of peace required demilitarisation and de-escalation — something which she suggested was not the direction that the defence-oriented governments of the region were heading in. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Exploring an Anti-America, Anti-Israel Protest in Tehran
Venezuelan Oil Capture Exacerbates “Environmental Racism” in Gulf Coast Communities
The US occupation of Venezuela and control of its oil reserves are expected to intensify “environmental racism” for Black communities along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas. According to January 2026 reporting by Capital B, oil refining operations...
The US occupation of Venezuela and control of its oil reserves are expected to intensify “environmental racism” for Black communities along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Texas. According to January 2026 reporting by Capital B, oil refining operations by petrochemical plants along the Gulf are dismantling communities and have… The post Venezuelan Oil Capture Exacerbates “Environmental Racism” in Gulf Coast Communities appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Palestine censorship at Rutgers University
U.S. indicts former Cuban president Raúl Castro
Failed Military Cleanup Exposes Marshall Island Residents to Leaking Radioactive “Tomb”
A 60-year-old military nuclear clean-up project, known as the Runit Dome, has begun leaking radioactive materials in the vicinity of the Marshall Islands, as Jess Cockerill reported in a March 2026 article for the science publication, Science Alert. Th...
A 60-year-old military nuclear clean-up project, known as the Runit Dome, has begun leaking radioactive materials in the vicinity of the Marshall Islands, as Jess Cockerill reported in a March 2026 article for the science publication, Science Alert. The Runit Dome is situated on Runit Island, between Australia and Hawaii,… The post Failed Military Cleanup Exposes Marshall Island Residents to Leaking Radioactive “Tomb” appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Bolivian journalists injured, harassed by anti-government protesters
Bogotá, May 21, 2026–Bolivian authorities must thoroughly investigate violent attacks on journalists covering a wave of anti-government demonstrations, including against cameraman Hugo Machicado of private broadcaster Gigavision, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Monday, Machicado was injured in the legs by shrapnel from dynamite detonated by protesters in the capital La Paz...
Bogotá, May 21, 2026–Bolivian authorities must thoroughly investigate violent attacks on journalists covering a wave of anti-government demonstrations, including against cameraman Hugo Machicado of private broadcaster Gigavision, and hold those responsible to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Thursday. On Monday, Machicado was injured in the legs by shrapnel from dynamite detonated by protesters in the capital La Paz who are demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. Machicado was evacuated on a stretcher to a hospital where he was treated and released, according to the National Press Association (ANP). “The Bolivian government must ensure that journalists covering protests are protected by minimum safety guarantees,” said Cristina Zahar, CPJ’s Latin America program coordinator, in São Paulo. “Those responsible for acts of violence against media professionals should be identified and held accountable.” Local outlets reported that at least 10 journalists were slightly injured as they covered clashes between protesters and the police in La Paz and in the adjacent city of El Alto. In some cases, the demonstrators accosted journalists who were trying to film or interview them. The ANP and seven other Bolivian press organizations published a joint statement saying that nothing justifies violence against media workers. The Ministry of the Presidency also denounced the attacks, saying a free press is fundamental for democracy and that journalists’ integrity must be respected, especially during protests. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
Tennessee Bill Turns to Incarceration for Troubled Foster Youth
A proposed bill in the Tennessee legislature would allow the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) to place foster youth in detention facilities, despite not being charged with a crime. According to a February 2026 WPLN report by Paige Pfleger, the b...
A proposed bill in the Tennessee legislature would allow the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) to place foster youth in detention facilities, despite not being charged with a crime. According to a February 2026 WPLN report by Paige Pfleger, the bill would legally classify these children as “in need of… The post Tennessee Bill Turns to Incarceration for Troubled Foster Youth appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
US Tech and Defense Demands Spur Ruinous Mining in Indigenous Mexico
As global demand for military armaments and clean energy technologies grows, the communities of Mexico’s Sierra Norte region are increasingly left to bear the environmental and health costs of the critical minerals that power these industries. Investig...
As global demand for military armaments and clean energy technologies grows, the communities of Mexico’s Sierra Norte region are increasingly left to bear the environmental and health costs of the critical minerals that power these industries. Investigative journalist Tamara Pearson, writing for Truthout, reveals how a US–Mexico agreement to coordinate… The post US Tech and Defense Demands Spur Ruinous Mining in Indigenous Mexico appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
ICE to Purchase Private Detainment Facilities to Circumvent States’ Authority
According to reporting by Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg in The Appeal, during GEO Group’s May 6 quarterly earnings call, CEO George Zoley stated that the Department of Homeland Security had been in talks with the private prison company to purchase “turn-ke...
According to reporting by Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg in The Appeal, during GEO Group’s May 6 quarterly earnings call, CEO George Zoley stated that the Department of Homeland Security had been in talks with the private prison company to purchase “turn-key” facilities as detention centers to avoid oversight efforts in Democrat-led states… The post ICE to Purchase Private Detainment Facilities to Circumvent States’ Authority appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
California Schools Struggle to Implement Ethnic Studies
In recent years, ethnic studies in California school systems have become a point of debate, as questions have emerged about whether the state has adequately supported these courses. California education officials and many school districts are strugglin...
In recent years, ethnic studies in California school systems have become a point of debate, as questions have emerged about whether the state has adequately supported these courses. California education officials and many school districts are struggling to fully implement a statewide curriculum that requires high school students to take… The post California Schools Struggle to Implement Ethnic Studies appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Shadow Foundation Invests $100 millions in Crypto, Filling Trump Pockets
In July 2025, Jacob Silverman of The Nation reported that the Dubai-based Aqua 1 Foundation, one of President Trump’s biggest crypto-backers, may not exist. On June 26, 2025, the Aqua 1 Foundation announced a $100 million investment in World Liberty Fi...
In July 2025, Jacob Silverman of The Nation reported that the Dubai-based Aqua 1 Foundation, one of President Trump’s biggest crypto-backers, may not exist. On June 26, 2025, the Aqua 1 Foundation announced a $100 million investment in World Liberty Financial. Under the terms of a deal between Trump and… The post Shadow Foundation Invests $100 millions in Crypto, Filling Trump Pockets appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
The U.S. is only admitting white South African refugees
US intelligence agencies have long spied on the Vatican, according to reporting by Ken Klippenstein, but it’s been dialed up amidst Trump’s public tirade against Pope Leo XIV. In an April 23, 2026, article published via Substack, Klippenstein analyzed ...
US intelligence agencies have long spied on the Vatican, according to reporting by Ken Klippenstein, but it’s been dialed up amidst Trump’s public tirade against Pope Leo XIV. In an April 23, 2026, article published via Substack, Klippenstein analyzed a national security contractor hiring memo for a role assisting the… The post US Increases Vatican Espionage appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Iran Speaks Out: Inside Tehran’s Response to Trump, Israel & War | Shane Smith Has Questions
The Trump Administration Is Facing Scrutiny for How It’s Handing Out Billion-Dollar Border Wall Contracts
The post The Trump Administration Is Facing Scrutiny for How It’s Handing Out Billion-Dollar Border Wall Contracts appeared first on ProPublica.
The Department of Homeland Security has released little information to the public on its plans to build new border infrastructure through the Big Bend region. Hannah Gentiles When Tommy Fisher set out to build a section of border wall in South Texas during the first Trump administration, the project quickly became ensnared in controversy. Experts raised concerns about shoddy construction and signs of erosion. Beyond that, Fisher’s company had received funding from a group called We Build the Wall, an influential conservative nonprofit that included President Donald Trump’s then-political strategist Steve Bannon as a board member. Some of its leaders eventually went to prison for their involvement in the venture. Even the president denounced the project. “I disagreed with doing this very small (tiny) section of wall, in a tricky area, by a private group which raised money by ads,” Trump wrote on X in response to reporting by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune in 2020 detailing problems with the wall project. “It was only done to make me look bad,” the post continued. But none of this stopped Fisher’s company from getting subsequent border wall contracts, including from the state of Texas. And now the federal government has awarded his company over $9 billion to build even more border wall — including a $1.2 billion contract in the Big Bend region of Texas, where residents have continued to press for answers about the government’s plans in and around one of the country’s largest national parks. And, as during Trump’s first term, Fisher’s work is stirring up controversy again. A New York-based construction company has sued the Trump administration after it awarded the bulk of new Texas border wall contracts to North Dakota-headquartered Fisher Sand & Gravel and another company. Posillico Civil Inc.’s lawsuit, filed in the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., on May 13, offers one of the first public glimpses into the procurement process along the border in Texas. The suit claims that out of the 11 prequalified vendors for the wall projects, U.S. Customs and Border Protection awarded nearly $14 billion — about 73% of the value of the contracts — to just two: Fisher’s firm and Barnard Construction, based in Montana. The work also includes wall projects around El Paso, Laredo, Del Rio and the Rio Grande Valley. The Trump administration has come under scrutiny for awarding no-bid contracts and for the lack of transparency around its accelerated border wall construction plans, moves designed to help the president achieve his key campaign promise of securing the border. During his first term, Trump’s moves also faced criticism. A 2020 investigation by ProPublica and the Tribune found that the government was awarding contracts before acquiring titles to the land, leading to millions of dollars in costs related to delays. A review of federal spending data by the news organizations also revealed how the first Trump administration had made hundreds of contract modifications, increasing the cost of the border wall project by billions. The administration has shown no signs of slowing down: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security secured $46.5 billion to build the border wall in 2025, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Having prequalified contractors is not uncommon, as the system is structured to help the government move through projects quicker, but it is not meant to remove competition, said Charles Tiefer, a leading authority on federal contract law and former member of the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. DHS “is picking contractors for loyalty and from confidence that they will do its bidding, rather than, as every other administration has done, picking contractors for best value,” Tiefer said, referring to reports that then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem awarded a $220 million ad campaign contract to a firm she had connections to. In response to ProPublica’s reporting, DHS said the department “has no involvement with the selection of subcontractors” and that it doesn’t control or weigh in on who contractors hire. “They got huge blank checks, and they want to write them as fast as possible,” Tiefer said. The White House declined to comment for this story. A CBP spokesperson said in a written statement that the bidding process has been fair. “Contracts awarded are based on the contractor’s qualifications to perform the work in a timely manner and at prices deemed fair and reasonable,” the spokesperson wrote, saying neither CBP nor DHS have an affiliation with We Build the Wall. An attorney for Posillico declined to comment. The company has previously built 43 miles of federal wall in South Texas and also won a contract to construct sections of Gov. Greg Abbott’s state border project. The state project experienced many of the same construction delays and cost overruns as Trump’s border wall. Posillico alleges in the lawsuit that it incurred “substantial bid preparation and proposal costs” drawing up plans for federal solicitations that were “not genuine competitive opportunities.” While these are just allegations, Scott Amey, a contracting expert and general counsel at the watchdog group Project on Government Oversight, said border wall contracts have long been controversial and raised questions on what the government is getting for the cost, as well as the political connections of some of the contractors. Amey closely followed border wall procurement during the first Trump administration. “There’s a cost, and ethics and contracting questions that all come up whenever you mention anything with the border wall,” Amey said. Representatives for Fisher Sand & Gravel and Barnard did not respond to requests for comment. Barnard has filed as an intervenor in the case, meaning it isn’t a party in the suit but wants to participate. Although the vast majority of the new funding is going to Fisher and Barnard, several other companies got smaller percentages of the contracts: Spencer Construction LLC; Granite Construction Co.; and Southwest Valley Constructors, which recently won another $1.7 billion contract for barrier construction in and around Big Bend National Park. Representatives for the other companies did not respond to a request for comment for this story. Posillico’s lawsuit claims that the contracts issued to the other companies went beyond the original scope of wall construction work the federal government told bidders it was seeking. In CPB’s Big Bend Sector project, for example, contractors were ultimately required to install cattle fencing and cattle guards — something Posillico’s lawsuit contends was not what the government originally asked of potential contractors. Had the government been clearer on the scope, the lawsuit argues, the company may have had a better chance of winning a contract. As part of the new scope of work, winning contractors, including Fisher Sand & Gravel, will also have to work with the International Boundary and Water Commission, the federal agency that administers treaties around the Rio Grande and the physical border with Mexico. Fisher has previously clashed with the commission. In 2019, the commission filed a lawsuit claiming Fisher had violated a binational water treaty between the U.S. and Mexico after the company constructed fencing in South Texas. The investigation by ProPublica and the Tribune found that a 3-mile stretch of border wall Fisher built on the banks of the Rio Grande was at risk of collapsing if not fixed. The company also built a segment of border wall in Sunland Park, New Mexico, without following proper procedures. Both projects involved We Build the Wall, the nonprofit. In the end, four of the nonprofit’s top leaders, including Bannon, were arrested on fraud and other charges connected to the fundraising scheme. Three men, including an Air Force veteran, were convicted and sentenced to prison. Trump pardoned Bannon, who was awaiting trial. Fisher and the government reached a settlement in 2022 in which Fisher Sand & Gravel agreed to conduct quarterly inspections, maintain an existing gate and keep a $3 million bond for 15 years or until the property was transferred to the government to cover expenses in case the structure failed. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="501" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="Protesters stand on a sidewalk alongside a road, holding signs that read “Save the Big Bend” and “Save Nature.”" class="wp-image-79765" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NBBW-PRESIDIO-PROTEST-3754_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,1067 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> Local residents protest new wall infrastructure in Presidio, Texas, in March. Hannah Gentiles “The Rules Don’t Really Apply” The Posillico lawsuit offers a rare peek behind the veil at the high-dollar world of border wall construction, an industry that has sprung up over the past 10 years in response to Trump’s recurring campaign promise to build a wall. The procurement process has been especially obscure around border wall contracting, thanks to Noem waiving dozens of laws regulating financial transparency and competitiveness in government contracting for the entire southern border. That act marked the first time in American history these waivers were applied to all 1,954 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. In its lawsuit, Posillico made explicit that it did not contest the use of waivers to expedite construction of the wall. For residents of border communities, the waivers have meant that DHS has released very little information detailing the massive infrastructure projects coming to their communities. This spring, the Center for Biological Diversity filed two lawsuits in federal court related to border wall construction in the Big Bend area, specifically over DHS’ failure to respond to a series of Freedom of Information Act requests for documents related to the project and challenging the agency’s authority to waive laws without Congress’ approval. The government has not filed answers to the complaints yet, with a deadline of June 1 for the FOIA complaint and early June in the congressional authority lawsuit. In the Posillico lawsuit, DHS moved to seal documents in the case, including any depositions or affidavits; Judge David A. Tapp signed off on the motion. In the absence of publicly posted requests for proposals and direct communication from Washington, residents in the Big Bend region have been relying on an online map posted by CBP that says it tracks contracts as they’re awarded. Lines on the map have shifted dramatically over the past few months, raising questions about what the government actually plans to build. The agency briefly took the map down altogether, around the same time that protests about the possibility of a physical wall in Big Bend National Park reached a fever pitch. When the map was restored to the website, it appeared to show a mix of “vehicle barriers” and “patrol roads” planned instead of steel walls within park boundaries. Fisher Sand & Gravel is currently slated to build a wall-related project in Big Bend Ranch State Park, bordering the national park to the west, though it hasn’t publicly released any plans for what alternate border barriers might look like. Landowners in communities adjacent to the park are still gearing up to face eminent domain challenges from the federal government. Barnard is working on a project outside the parks. Documents in Posillico’s lawsuit revealed that CBP has flagged sections of wall in Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties for “fast-track” construction by the company. To support that work, a pecan farm near the small ranching community of Lobo has started clearing a swath of land for a 500-person camp and petitioning the local water conservation district for approval to use agricultural well water for the project. Amey, the contracting expert, said the Trump administration seems to want to make the exception the rule, considering controversial practices like Noem’s decision to award the huge border ad contract and the fact the government has waived so many contracting rules to accelerate the wall’s construction. “It seems as if this administration, especially this time around, has decided that the rules don’t really apply,” he said. The post The Trump Administration Is Facing Scrutiny for How It’s Handing Out Billion-Dollar Border Wall Contracts appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Sam Karas.
Journalist held in NYPD kettle while covering protest near synagogue
U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database
Multimedia journalist A.B. Youssef was held in a police kettle while covering a protest in New York, New York, on May 5, 2026.The protest was taking place near a synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that was holding an event to promote real estate ...
Multimedia journalist A.B. Youssef was held in a police kettle while covering a protest in New York, New York, on May 5, 2026. The protest was taking place near a synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that was holding an event to promote real estate sales in Israel and Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the latter of which are widely believed to violate international law. The New York City Police Department formed a buffer zone around the synagogue, prohibiting access to the block it was located on and directing pro-Palestinian and a smaller group of pro-Israel protesters, as well as press, onto surrounding avenues, according to news reports and journalists who spoke to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Youssef told the Tracker that he and other journalists were documenting NYPD officers blocking off a sidewalk with metal barricades and pushing protesters back. The officers then formed a circle around the group of press with the barricades and told them they couldn’t leave. “I was telling them, ‘You can’t lock us in here,’” he said. “And they just didn’t care.” He said he was wearing his New York City press credential and holding his camera gear, adding that many of the officers saw him often and knew who he was. Video posted on social media by two other journalists who were in the kettle, Talia Ben-Ora and Neil Constantine, shows uniformed police and plainclothes public information officers placing metal barricades around a group of press, separating them from the area where the NYPD was pushing protesters back. Youssef said the NYPD didn’t explain why they were penning them in, and gave conflicting instructions. “They were saying, ‘Go out that way.’ And I said, ‘Where? That way is blocked too.’” He said he was kept in that area for at least 10 minutes. The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment. This content originally appeared on U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database and was authored by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database.
Rats and Poor Sanitation Deepen Misery in Gaza Displacement Camps
Since February 2026, camps for displaced Palestinians in occupied Gaza have suffered severe rodent infestations that have received little attention from major US news outlets. Nour Abo Aisha, a Palestinian freelance journalist, reported firsthand from ...
Since February 2026, camps for displaced Palestinians in occupied Gaza have suffered severe rodent infestations that have received little attention from major US news outlets. Nour Abo Aisha, a Palestinian freelance journalist, reported firsthand from a camp in western Gaza City for Truthout, documenting the devastating impacts of rats and… The post Rats and Poor Sanitation Deepen Misery in Gaza Displacement Camps appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 21, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 21, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 21, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
Harmful Health Effects of Glyphosate and Herbicide Use in California
A 2026 report by Nate Halverson at Mother Jones exposes the widespread use of glyphosate-containing pesticides throughout California’s forests. Monsanto, the producer of the controversial chemical, widely used in forestry and agriculture, is unde...
A 2026 report by Nate Halverson at Mother Jones exposes the widespread use of glyphosate-containing pesticides throughout California’s forests. Monsanto, the producer of the controversial chemical, widely used in forestry and agriculture, is under investigation for its many initiatives to muddy the waters and sow scientific disinformation to limit public… The post Harmful Health Effects of Glyphosate and Herbicide Use in California appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
An Iranian Man Wants America to Attack Again
CPJ urges heightened awareness for journalists traveling to US for FIFA World Cup
May 21, 2026, New York, NY — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has advised journalists traveling throughout the United States for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup may face questioning or hostility from immigration officials at the border or around venues. The World Cup spans games across cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada...
May 21, 2026, New York, NY — The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has advised journalists traveling throughout the United States for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup may face questioning or hostility from immigration officials at the border or around venues. The World Cup spans games across cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026. CPJ, a press freedom organization that works globally, has published resources for journalists reporting on the World Cup from this year’s host countries, including a travel advisory and legal rights guide. FIFA has accredited an estimated 50,000 journalists and media workers to cover the games. The majority of World Cup matches will be held in the U.S. where in recent months there have been cases of journalists being arrested, detained, and deported in relation to their work. “Based on the experiences of recent months in the United States, journalists traveling to the United States need to know that their press credentials won’t necessarily protect them at the border or when out reporting,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. “We’ve seen immigration enforcement used as a tool to silence reporting, with authorities detaining, denying entry to, or deporting journalists not because of any crime, but because of their journalism.” International journalists, commentators, and writers traveling to the U.S. have previously been denied entry at the border and had visas revoked under the current administration. CPJ urges reporters to complete a risk assessment, identify emergency contacts, develop a check-in procedure and keep those contacts on paper in case devices are confiscated. Reporters have also been assaulted by officials while covering protests in the United States. Journalists should prepare for possible additional screening at the border. Failure to comply with a request from a border guard could result in devices being seized and, depending on the journalist’s immigration status, delays or denial of entry. In Mexico, journalists covering stories of corruption or human rights around the World Cup may face harassment, threats, or physical violence. Attacks on journalists covering the World Cup may be especially acute for those of marginalized genders. In Canada, there have been cases of journalists stopped at the border and, very rarely, arrests of reporters covering protests. To access safety information while reporting, journalists can text CPJ’s safety chatbot on WhatsApp by messaging “hello” to +1-206-590-6191 and selecting from a menu of safety topics. ### About the Committee to Protect Journalists The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal. Media contact: press@cpj.org Note to journalists needing advice: Journalists seeking emergency assistance or safety advice can email CPJ at emergencies@cpj.org. They will be asked to provide information about their circumstances, needs, and work as a journalist. All information is confidential but may be shared with a small network of trusted partners for vetting purposes. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
RootsAction Blasts Official DNC Autopsy; ‘Disgrace’ Would Be ‘Understatement’
RootsAction is releasing the following statement:After months of intense pressure, Chair Ken Martin and the DNC finally caved and released their 2024 autopsy report. To call the report a disgrace would be an understatement. The report focuses extensiv...
RootsAction is releasing the following statement: After months of intense pressure, Chair Ken Martin and the DNC finally caved and released their 2024 autopsy report. To call the report a disgrace would be an understatement. The report focuses extensively on ad spending and fundraising, without discussing the Democratic platform, policy positions or political context of the 2024 election. The word "affordability," arguably the most important issue in the 2024 election, appears twice in the 129-page report. The report makes no mention whatsoever of Gaza or Israel — neither word even appears in its text. Now, Martin and the DNC are trying to wash their hands of the report and its contents. In a hasty, almost amateurish markup, the DNC has gone out of its way to poke holes in the legitimacy of the very report it commissioned. The report is full of factual errors, poorly supported conjecture, and misguided ramblings, many of which the DNC itself is eager to point out. While Martin may feel that this absolves him of the responsibility to answer for this pitiful document, it should only intensify scrutiny of his leadership of the DNC. Martin recruited the author to write the report. He presumably provided the author with resources and access to party officials and functionaries. The DNC has a responsibility to turn in a report that truly grapples with the mistakes of the past so that the Democratic Party can learn from those mistakes and emerge stronger in its fight against Trumpism. The DNC has utterly failed in that respect. The only serious autopsy so far remains the one that RootsAction published: https://democraticautopsy.org/ This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Newswire Editor.
New Center Tackles Seedling Shortages to Replant New Mexico’s Burn Scars
Since 2000, New Mexico wildfires have burned seven million acres of land, causing flash flooding, displacing wildlife, and contaminating water sources. Wildfires are burning through forests more quickly than they can be recovered through natural regene...
Since 2000, New Mexico wildfires have burned seven million acres of land, causing flash flooding, displacing wildlife, and contaminating water sources. Wildfires are burning through forests more quickly than they can be recovered through natural regeneration or with human reforestation efforts, an issue exacerbated by a national shortage of seedlings… The post New Center Tackles Seedling Shortages to Replant New Mexico’s Burn Scars appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Pro-Palestine speech silenced at CUNY Law
Most Americans Can’t Afford “Minimal Quality of Life,” Study Finds
Wage stagnation, coupled with increasing prices, makes it increasingly difficult for many Americans to meet their basic needs. A May 2025 article by Sharon Zhang for Truthout shared an analysis from the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (...
Wage stagnation, coupled with increasing prices, makes it increasingly difficult for many Americans to meet their basic needs. A May 2025 article by Sharon Zhang for Truthout shared an analysis from the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP), which found that “a ‘minimal quality of life’ is out of… The post Most Americans Can’t Afford “Minimal Quality of Life,” Study Finds appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza amid ceasefire delaysAfghanistan ruling erodes women’s rightsResponse to Ebola outbreak ramps up
Humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza amid ceasefire delaysAfghanistan ruling erodes women’s rightsResponse to Ebola outbreak ramps up This content originally appeared on UN News - Global perspective Human stories and was authored by Jolina Dong.
Cuba denounces ‘cruel and ruthless aggression’ of US as White House indicts Raúl Castro
<img width="1024" height="676" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C676&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Cuba's former President Raul Castro (C) and former Vice-President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura (R) attend a May Day rally marking International Workers' Day in Havana on May 1, 2026. Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP via Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343658" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/cuba-denounces-cruel-and-ruthless-aggression-of-us-as-white-house-indicts-raul-castro/cuba-politics-social-labour-may-day-demo" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1691&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1691" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"AFP via Getty Images","camera":"NIKON Z 8","caption":"Cuba's former President Raul Castro (C) and former Vice-President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura (R) attend a May Day rally marking International Workers' Day in Havana on May 1, 2026. (Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1777646603","copyright":"AFP or licensors","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"CUBA-POLITICS-SOCIAL-LABOUR-MAY DAY-DEMO","orientation":"1","alt":""}" data-image-title="CUBA-POLITICS-SOCIAL-LABOUR-MAY DAY-DEMO" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Cuba’s former President Raul Castro (C) and former Vice-President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura (R) attend a May Day rally marking International Workers’ Day in Havana on May 1, 2026. Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C515&ssl=1"> In a speech described as “Orwellian,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed Cuba’s suffering on the military-run company founded by Fidel Castro’s brother.
<img width="1024" height="676" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C676&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Cuba's former President Raul Castro (C) and former Vice-President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura (R) attend a May Day rally marking International Workers' Day in Havana on May 1, 2026. Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C198&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C676&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C507&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1014&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1353&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C793&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1321&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C515&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C264&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C676&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343658" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/cuba-denounces-cruel-and-ruthless-aggression-of-us-as-white-house-indicts-raul-castro/cuba-politics-social-labour-may-day-demo" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1691&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1691" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"AFP via Getty Images","camera":"NIKON Z 8","caption":"Cuba's former President Raul Castro (C) and former Vice-President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura (R) attend a May Day rally marking International Workers' Day in Havana on May 1, 2026. (Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1777646603","copyright":"AFP or licensors","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"CUBA-POLITICS-SOCIAL-LABOUR-MAY DAY-DEMO","orientation":"1","alt":""}" data-image-title="CUBA-POLITICS-SOCIAL-LABOUR-MAY DAY-DEMO" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Cuba’s former President Raul Castro (C) and former Vice-President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura (R) attend a May Day rally marking International Workers’ Day in Havana on May 1, 2026. Photo by YAMIL LAGE / AFP via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273419189-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C515&ssl=1" /> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="600" height="150" data-attachment-id="268291" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/this-is-why-deregulation-is-deadly/cd_stacked_white_600" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" data-orig-size="600,150" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Common Dreams Logo" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=600%2C150&ssl=1" alt="Common Dreams Logo" class="wp-image-268291 size-full" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=300%2C75&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=370&ssl=1 370w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=400&ssl=1 400w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /> This story originally appeared in Common Dreams on May 20, 2026. It is shared here under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license. As the US Justice Department indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on Wednesday in what could be a prelude to military action, the Cuban government denounced the US for “cruel and ruthless aggression.” The 94-year-old Castro, who served as Cuba’s leader until 2021 after taking over for his brother Fidel in 2008, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to kill US nationals for his alleged role in the shooting down of planes operated by the anti-Castro Cuban exile group Brothers to the Rescue in 1996, which resulted in the deaths of four Cuban Americans. “For nearly 30 years, the families of four murdered Americans have waited for justice,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said as he announced the charges at Miami’s Freedom Tower. “My message today is clear: The United States and President Trump does not and will not forget its citizens.” While Blanche described the four men as “unarmed civilians,” the Cuban government said the group had repeatedly violated its sovereign airspace and that it had warned the US government before shooting down the plane. Declassified documents from a month before the incident show that officials in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) viewed the Brothers’ activities as “taunting” and feared the Cuban government might shoot a plane down. “Is a sovereign state like Cuba obligated to tolerate illegal and continuous incursions into its territory? Under no circumstances,” the Cuban embassy in the US said in a statement published on Wednesday on social media. “International law and global civil aviation conventions protect the sovereignty of nations over their airspace.” “When formal warnings to the [International Civil Aviation Organization], the FAA, and political authorities are sustainedly ignored, the defense of borders and national security becomes an unavoidable duty for the protection of the country.” MythBreakers: Exposing the Brothers to the Rescue hoax Is a sovereign State like Cuba obligated to tolerate illegal and continuous incursions into its territory? Under no circumstances. International law and global civil aviation conventions protect the sovereignty of… pic.twitter.com/p9UC0shT95 — Cuban Embassy in US (@EmbaCubaUS) May 20, 2026 The indictment comes as the Trump administration issues threats that have been widely interpreted as signals that another military regime change operation could soon be on the horizon, following the administration’s attacks on Venezuela and Iran already this year. “CUBA IS NEXT! Thank you [President Donald Trump] and [Secretary of State Marco Rubio]!” cheered US Rep. Carlos Giminez (R-Fla.), one of many Miami-based politicians who have called for aggressive action by the Trump administration against Cuba in recent days. He was responding to a video posted by Rubio on Wednesday directed at the Cuban people in which he again denied that the crippling oil blockade imposed on Cuba by Trump bore any responsibility for the economic ruin the island’s population currently faces. After effectively cutting off Cuba’s primary supplier of oil in January when the US conducted its illegal operation to abduct Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs on any country that provided oil to Cuba, scaring off its other main suppliers, including Mexico, Russia, and Algeria. Last week, Cuba’s energy minister announced that the country had “absolutely no fuel oil, no diesel.” pic.twitter.com/nwEePVJ1lX — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 20, 2026 But Rubio told the Cuban people in Spanish on Wednesday: “The reason you are forced to survive 22 hours a day without electricity is not due to an oil ‘blockade’ by the US. As you know better than anyone else, you have been suffering from blackouts for years. The real reason you don’t have electricity, fuel, or food is that those who control your country have plundered billions of dollars, but nothing has been used to help the people.” He specifically laid the blame at the feet of the accused, the military-run company Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), founded by Raúl Castro in the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The company has come to control large swathes of the Cuban economy, from hotels and grocery stores to gas stations and banks, and is estimated to control between 40-70% of Cuba’s overall economy, according to a recent New York Times report—though the secrecy of the organization makes it difficult to determine its true value. Rubio said that the entrepreneurs running GAESA “have $18 billion in assets and control 70% of Cuba’s economy,” which was first reported by the Miami Herald last year based on balance sheets obtained from the company. But the Cuban government and other critics have disputed this figure, arguing that it actually refers to Cuban pesos, which would make its holdings closer to about $746 million. Regardless, Rubio omitted any mention of the fact that even prior to the oil blockade enacted in January by Trump, the US still had a strict trade embargo in place against Cuba for more than 60 years, which the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America has estimated cost the country more than $130 billion since it was imposed—more than the total gross domestic product of the entire country in 2020. Rubio said on Wednesday the US was ready to open a “new chapter” with Cuba, but that the thing getting in the way was “those who control their country.” Rubio now full Orwellian: the total blockade that we have put on your country after decades of an embargo has nothing to do with the scarcity in your lives or the fact that we are intentionally starving your children. https://t.co/OLLHJfyo3E — Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) May 20, 2026 In light of Trump’s persistent suggestions that he wants to “take” Cuba and “do anything I want with it,” the Cuban government described Rubio’s message as one meant to justify further US coercion. “The reason why the US secretary of state lies so repeatedly and unscrupulously when referring to Cuba and trying to justify the aggression to which he subjects the Cuban people is not ignorance or incompetence,” said Carlos Fernández de Cossío, the deputy minister for foreign affairs in Cuba, in a social media post on Wednesday. “He knows full well that there is no excuse for such a cruel and ruthless aggression.” Last week, the US offered to give Cuba $100 million in humanitarian assistance to deal with the crisis it has imposed through its oil blockade, but only if it agrees to “meaningful reforms” and “fundamental changes” to its government that would allow greater access to US companies. Cuba’s current president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, contended that an easier way to alleviate Cuba’s suffering would be “by lifting or easing the blockade, as it is well known that the humanitarian situation is coldly calculated and induced.” Update (2:00 pm ET): This story was updated to include comments from acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche following the announcement of a formal indictment on Wednesday. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Stephen Prager.
Louisiana’s Anti-Homeless Bill Plans to Criminalize Sleeping Outside
In April 2026, the Louisiana House of Representatives passed Bill 211, which the National Homelessness Law Center has called “one of the cruelest anti-homeless bills in the country,” according to a report by Stephen Prager for Common Dreams. The bill e...
In April 2026, the Louisiana House of Representatives passed Bill 211, which the National Homelessness Law Center has called “one of the cruelest anti-homeless bills in the country,” according to a report by Stephen Prager for Common Dreams. The bill effectively criminalizes sleeping on the streets in cities across Louisiana,… The post Louisiana’s Anti-Homeless Bill Plans to Criminalize Sleeping Outside appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Sanders, Lee move to rein in super PACs amid growing billionaire grip on US elections
The financialization of the American electoral process is well documented. Now two key progressive legislators are proposing a new law to do something about it. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Democratic Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) introduced the ...
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="US Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (L) and Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) (R) conduct a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343647" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/sanders-lee-move-to-rein-in-super-pacs-amid-growing-billionaire-grip-on-us-elections/senators-sanders-and-lee-discuss-bill-to-abolish-super-pacs" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"4","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"Canon EOS R1","caption":"WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 20: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (L) and Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) (R) conduct a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Sen. Sanders and Rep. Lee held a news conference to introduce a bill to abolish super PACs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1779291954","copyright":"2026 Getty Images","focal_length":"98","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.0025","title":"Senators Sanders And Lee Discuss Bill To Abolish Super PAC's","orientation":"1","alt":""}" data-image-title="Senators Sanders And Lee Discuss Bill To Abolish Super PAC&#8217;s" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" US Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (L) and Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) (R) conduct a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2277357083-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> The financialization of the American electoral process is well documented. Now two key progressive legislators are proposing a new law to do something about it. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Democratic Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) introduced the Abolish Super PACs Act on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. It’s a measure they say will eliminate one the primary ways billionaires funnel cash into elections: super PACs. The bill would limit donations to super PACs to $5,000 for both individuals and corporations. “Today, the average American gets one vote. Billionaires, however, through their super PACs, can spend unlimited amounts of money to elect the candidates of their choice and to defeat candidates who stand up for working families or a just foreign policy,” Sanders said. The measure is necessary, Lee said, to save a democratic process that is under strain from unlimited sums of money poured into elections by billionaires and corporations. “Our bill would ensure that millionaires, billionaires, corporations, corporate interests, special interests would no longer be able to get around the guardrails, the limitations that everyday individuals like you and I have,” Lee said. A super PAC, or political action committee, is an entity that can currently raise unlimited donations from individuals, corporations, and unions. It can spend that money to independently support or oppose candidates, including through advertising and other election-related expenditures. Candidates cannot formally coordinate with a super PAC. But that limitation is often skirted, leaving the wealthiest Americans with disproportionate influence over electoral outcomes. Both Sanders and Lee pointed to the fallout from the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision in 2010 as a key motivator to overhaul current election laws sooner rather than later. Since the controversial ruling opened the door for unlimited outside spending on elections, corporations and billionaires have turned to super PACs to unleash a barrage of spending. “I don’t want people to think this is just another issue. It is a more important issue,” Sanders said at the press conference announcing the bill. “We are the only major country on earth not to guarantee healthcare. Why is that? You think it may have something to do with the power of the pharmaceutical industry and insurance companies who spend millions of dollars making sure we don’t move to a Medicare for All system?” “This is an issue that touches on every single issue facing working people in this country,” said Sanders. Billionaire Elon Musk used his America PAC to pour roughly $288 million into Trump’s and other Republlicans 2024 presidential campaign. The Abolish Super PACs Act comes as a smaller and wealthier group of donors fund a growing proportion of campaign spending. The New York Times reported that just 300 billionaires and their families accounted for 19% of all federal campaign spending in the US in 2024, much of it funneled through Super PACs. Before the Citizens United ruling, contributions from billionaires made up only 0.3%. “It corrupts, it discourages, I call it functionally disenfranchising the political process from every aspect, from every angle,” Lee said. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Stephen Janis and Taya Graham.
‘You can’t say ‘genocide’’: How US media sanitized Israel’s destruction of Gaza
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A balloon reading 'CNN lies, Gaza dies, Tell the truth' is flown by protestors during a demonstration outside of the CNN bureau in Washington, D.C. on August 25, 2025 in an effort to disrupt the shows of reporters Dana Bash and Wolf Blitzer, whom they accuse of covering up war crimes by Israel. Photo by Bryan Dozier/Anadolu via Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343640" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/you-cant-say-genocide-how-us-media-sanitized-israels-destruction-of-gaza/gettyimages-2231355133" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1708&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1708" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","alt":""}' data-image-title="GettyImages-2231355133" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" A balloon reading ‘CNN lies, Gaza dies, Tell the truth’ is flown by protestors during a demonstration outside of the CNN bureau in Washington, D.C. on August 25, 2025 in an effort to disrupt the shows of reporters Dana Bash and Wolf Blitzer, whom they accuse of covering up war crimes by Israel. Photo by Bryan Dozier/Anadolu via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> “These journalists and these editorial boards—they need to be held accountable… I have fantasies of somebody holding my book at the Hague and calling out the media at the International Court of Justice.”
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="A balloon reading 'CNN lies, Gaza dies, Tell the truth' is flown by protestors during a demonstration outside of the CNN bureau in Washington, D.C. on August 25, 2025 in an effort to disrupt the shows of reporters Dana Bash and Wolf Blitzer, whom they accuse of covering up war crimes by Israel. Photo by Bryan Dozier/Anadolu via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1025&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343640" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/you-cant-say-genocide-how-us-media-sanitized-israels-destruction-of-gaza/gettyimages-2231355133" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1708&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1708" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","alt":""}" data-image-title="GettyImages-2231355133" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" A balloon reading ‘CNN lies, Gaza dies, Tell the truth’ is flown by protestors during a demonstration outside of the CNN bureau in Washington, D.C. on August 25, 2025 in an effort to disrupt the shows of reporters Dana Bash and Wolf Blitzer, whom they accuse of covering up war crimes by Israel. Photo by Bryan Dozier/Anadolu via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2231355133-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> In her new book, The Complicit Lens, media scholar Robin Anderson reveals how legacy media in the US presented Israel’s genocidal violence in Gaza as defensive and justified, casting doubt on IDF bombings, employing passive language to deflect blame for atrocities, and repeating Israeli talking points, often word-for-word. In this episode of The Marc Steiner Show, Marc speaks with Anderson about the ways US media has systematically run interference for Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, aligning its coverage with Israeli military narratives while downplaying—and even condoning—the wholesale massacre of Palestinians. Guests: Robin Andersen is professor emerita of media studies at Fordham University and an award-winning author of a dozen single- and co-authored books. Her work examines film, television, and media coverage of war, the environment, politics, and elections. Anderson edits the Routledge Focus Book Series on Media and Humanitarian Action, serves as a Project Censored Judge, and contributes to the annual State of the Free Press. Andersen is on the Board of Directors of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR), where she also writes regularly, and is an Izzy Award Judge for the Park Center for Independent Media. Her writing has appeared in a range of outlets, including CounterPunch, LA Progressive, The Progressive, Salon, Common Dreams, and ScheerPost. Additional links/info: Robin Anderson, OR Books, The Complicit Lens: US Media Coverage of Israel’s Genocide in Gaza Credits: Producer: Rosette Sewali Studio Production: David Hebden Audio Post-Production: Stephen Frank Transcript The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible. Marc Steiner: Welcome to the Marc Steiner Show here on The Real News. I’m Marc Steiner. It’s great to have you all with us. And just once again, we’re looking at Israel-Palestine and the disaster that’s happening there to bring you the intimate details of what people are facing and what can be done. And we’re talking today to Robin Anderson, who has The Complicit Lens, which is an incredible piece of work. Robin is Professor Emerita of media studies at Fordham University, award-winning author of a dozen single and co-authored books. Her work examines films, television, media coverage of war, the environment, politics, and elections. And she edits the Rutledge Focus Book series on media and humanitarian action and serves as project centered judge and contributes to the annual state free press and joins us here today and this latest book we’re talking about is The Complicit Lens: US Media Coverage of Israel’s Genocide in Gaza. And Robin, welcome, good to have you with us. Robin Anderson: Thank you for inviting me. Marc Steiner: Going through all this work that you did on media coverage and what’s actually happening in Israel-Palestine. I want to get to the bottom of things first and why the major media in America is so complicit in telling the lies about what’s happening in this war. I mean, there have been decades and decades of anti-Semitic stuff about the Jewish control of the media. That’s not it. There’s something really fundamentally deep about what’s going on here and why they are willing to tell the lies they’re telling and push the agenda they’re pushing. So let’s start there. Robin Anderson: Yeah. Well, the theme through the book is exactly what happened in the US media to just actually compel them to completely abandon their basic role as journalists. And I think the Israeli lobby is a big one. I devoted an entire chapter to talking about the influences in the New York Times and a few other press, but they’ve been watched and monitored by a group called Camera, by honest reporting. Just as students and faculty have been doxed, if they get identified, many of them have by Canary mission, they will call up their employers and they will tell them not to employ them and that has happened in numerous cases. So it’s not only journalism, it’s kind of the civil society and the public sphere and our discourse has for years been very constrained. I’m not sure that US journalists anymore, even though they’re supposed to be the seasoned professionals at some of the most prominent and legacy media, I’m not sure they know the background anymore of Israel. I’m not sure that they understand really the international rules of war because if you’re blocked by the directives such as the New York Times and CNN, if you have your editors openly telling you to cover the press in a certain way, which is what we have, we had it at the CNN and the New York Times, and those are very influential legacy media sources. If we have them doing that over a period of a few years, you’re not proficient anymore really in understanding the rules of war or the Geneva Conventions. And then when you leave those basic core understandings out of coverage, either through self-censorship, editorial censorship, or simply just ignorance, you can’t tell the story. Marc Steiner: I want to get very specific here, the stuff you’ve written about in terms of the New York Times and CNN and exactly what they did, exactly what the leadership has told their reporters what they can and cannot do and how can they even be possible. But this is really explain that in greater depth. Robin Anderson: Well, I think that was so shocking and I think the intercept, well, a number of articles came out on the intercept, but CNN was putting all of its copy through its Jerusalem Bureau and the IDF had eyes on that stuff and CNN tried to play it down and say, “Oh, really? They hardly had anything to say.” And the staffer who had leaked to the intercept this information said, “Oh yes, every single word was shaped by Israeli censors.” So they told them, “No, there are things you can and cannot say. You can’t say genocide.” That’s a taboo word. But the really weirdly obscured things that a lot of us began to notice where you couldn’t identify Israel as the perpetrator of the dropping of 2000 pound bombs. So you couldn’t say you just had to say explosion. So a lot of people identified these headlines and indeed the press did not identify that these were Israeli bombs until the Israelis themselves would say, “Oh, okay. Well, we got a Hamas commander.” As soon as they said they got a Hamas commander, then you could justify any loss of human civilian life and then you could talk about Israel having done the bombing. So lots of very strange things like that, that you can actually … So what I did in a couple chapters is look at the coverage and compare them to these directives. New York Times, same thing. New York Times was more explicit about pulling out any of the principles really of international law about occupation when the New York Times staffer that leaked it to the intercept said, “How can you not talk about occupation?” That is at the core of the conflict. We’re not able to represent this more accurately without talking about the occupation, but they couldn’t talk. So a lot of them, refugee camps, that’s very, very important. You have to know that these people in Gaza, many of them were refugees or the descendants of refugees that were victims of the Nakba. So all of that background history allowed them to start the war at October 7th, say, “This was only Hamas. It came from nowhere, the evil of Hamas and therefore all of the subsequent reporting was either justified or retaliatory. They started it and they didn’t start it. There’s a long history of how Israel was constantly actually committing war crimes already before October 7th. Marc Steiner: So there’s a lot of what you said here. Before we get back to Israel and Hamas, which I’d like to do, given what you’ve written, what do you think the political dynamic is that allows the journalistic leaders and others in those two organizations, CNN and New York Times? Look, I read the New York Times every day and every Sunday. I mean, I’ve been doing it for the last 40 years. Robin Anderson: Sorry to hear that, Marc. Really. Marc Steiner: There’s a lot of good stuff from there, but this is not one of them. What the dynamic is that allows that to happen. Robin Anderson: Right. Well, I actually devoted an entire chapter to the New York Times and you really have to look at their Jerusalem bureau. Their Jerusalem bureau over a period of years has been shaped to be very Israeli focused and Israeli-centric. So right off the bureau in the New York Times in Jerusalem sits atop on the air above a house where a BBC reporter, a Palestinian BBC reporter had to leave his house, put his wife and children in a taxi, leave their things and never come back. So right away the New York Times has a vested interest in no right to return. That’s a major issue for Palestinians, the right to return. And right away, well, wow, that geostructural bias, if they had the right to return, the New York Times, the House that they spent money on that Thomas Friedman presided in and all of these other bureau chiefs stayed there admitting that many times their children were in the IDF. And for one, Elizabeth Kershner, who’s still writing for the New York Times, her husband was intimately involved with doing PR for the Israeli military. So these are conflicts of interest of all sorts. At one point, one of the public monitors for the New York Times said, wow, wouldn’t you get a different point of view if you had somebody in the West Bank that could really see what the settlers did to people and all that. So if you get a different view of the situation, but they never did that. In fact, they listened to a canary mission, either a canary mission or an honest reporting briefing that criticized one of their photojournalists and he was fired from the New York Times well before October 7th. So they got rid of Palestinian journalists at the same time they kept nurturing this very individualized point of view from Israel. Marc Steiner: So a couple of things here, but I want to take a step backwards for just a minute to explain to the people listening to us what the Canary Commission is. You’ve referred to it like three or four times here. People need to understand what it is. Robin Anderson: It’s originally an Israeli based organization that monitors students and faculty and other kind of people canary mission and has docs people and students and faculty at university campuses and many times it has resulted in students being sanctioned and faculty being sanctioned. Of course, I wrote about this happening at Hunter College in the book. Honest reporting is basically a propaganda organ, which not only creates their own media, propagandized media, but that also puts pressure. And this is external pressure coming into newsrooms and into universities where they’ve got no business in these kinds of civil society venues and institutions of higher education and legacy media that is supposed to know how to manage its own electoral boards and its own electoral staff. Marc Steiner: What you bring out in complicit lens, I mean, has very frightening in terms of what it means not just for Israel, Palestine, and what’s going on there, but for the future of media in this country. It’s not new that the media is influenced by people who own the media. That’s been a battle forever. Sometimes winning, sometimes losing, but it’s been a battle inside the media forever. But what you’re describing here is something pretty frightening. And I think that the whole … It’s one of the reasons I think they don’t really cover the opposition inside of Israel from Jewish Israelis saying, no, we’re not participating and why they don’t cover those things as well and what life is like inside of Palestinian villages. So I think this is a really, what you’ve written, what you put together is important for people to wrestle with in terms of how you get your information. How do we know what’s really happening? Robin Anderson: Well, one of the reasons, as a consequence of this type of reporting, the media has lost legitimacy, terribly lost legitimacy, but young people particularly who don’t look at legacy media, if I was in front of a class and I asked my students who read The New York Times this morning, nobody would have. So they’re getting their information from their handheld devices and that’s where they’re getting their news and they were on their handheld devices when Palestinian journalists were being killed in large numbers for documenting things on the ground. So we as Americans, we had these two different realities really. We had the documentation and the visuals, the testimony, the aftermath, the pictures of rubble and the suffering and the Palestinians. And that I believe really accounts for so much of why the United States is now rejecting the state of Israel and for a very long time, the majority of adults in the United States has not wanted our government to send weapons to Israel. So we caught onto that. And I think in this barrage of propaganda, I think it’s notable that we have resisted it and I think that’s really incredible on the part of the American people. In terms of I would like to talk about how we fix this and I believe- Marc Steiner: That was my next question, but go right ahead, please. I Robin Anderson: Believe these journalists and these editorial boards, they need to be held accountable. They really do. The three Israeli leaders including Isaac Hertzag, the president of Israel to kind of a figurehead Netanyahu’s the prime minister. Marc Steiner: Right, but the president doesn’t have much power inside the Israeli structure. Well, Robin Anderson: He’s coming to New York City. He’s coming to New York City and he’s being hosted and honored by the Jewish religious seminar. Marc Steiner: Yeshiva or Union Theological? Robin Anderson: Union theological And he’s going to be here in May and a UN commission found that it is very likely that he is responsible for inciting genocide. So the rules of genocide, very much part, you can’t have a genocide without a language that incites it. And these people were inciting this language and saying how Hamas was animals by extension Palestinian people and Herzog came right out and said, Palestinian civilians are guilty. So I think he shouldn’t be coming to New York City at all. I think he should be being hauled up in front of the Hague. At one point in the CNN, one of the staffers said, “Many of us noticed that our anchors didn’t have much pushback, if any, to these Israeli leaders who at a time, and here’s the language of the incitement statute is it has to be a time of great tension. You have to be a public figure and you have to have a platform, a legitimate … You have to be on a mainstream media platform and they all fit that bill. So that’s what we call incitement. And as the CNN staffer said, we came very close to that by not challenging these demonization of the Palestinian people, which also is another theme that goes throughout the book is over and over again, Marc Steiner: Palestinians Robin Anderson: In frame and in adjectives and in every way were dehumanized over and over again. Marc Steiner: Yeah. And as I was reading what you wrote, I thought about my friends in Israel-Palestine on both sides and how I remembered distinctly this big fight that took place when one of my friends who was an Israeli, these were theater people and I used to do theater with Israeli Palestinian companies. I said something about Palestinians and he spit on the ground. And then a fight ensued between him and one of the women in the company over that spit who was also Jewish. And people don’t realize how deep the divide is, I think, inside Israel. It’s not evenly split, but it’s a deep divide over where everything is going. Robin Anderson: I think recent polls that have come out of Israel have shown that the majority of Israelis thought that all of the Palestinian civilians were guilty as well and they were a threat. They’ve been propagandized now for a very long time, even though the newspaper Haretz is one of my major sources because after October 7th, when they called in the Hannibal directive, Marc Steiner: Which Robin Anderson: Is just kill everybody, don’t let anybody take any hostages. We don’t want to negotiate. When they called that in, you had Israelis pilots in Apache helicopters indiscriminately bombing the festival grounds when Hamas was trying to get their hostages, of course that’s a war crime. It’s true that Hamas committed some war crimes, committed war crimes. Nothing could compare, however, to what Israel has done. And at the time, what’s so fascinating is that the demonization again and again of Hamas, particularly in Palestinians as animals, they justified and served to cover up and to be the beheaded baby stories. As Richard Sanders, the filmmaker said, it wasn’t what Hamas did. It was what they didn’t do that the media reported on. So Hamas was guilty. They made stuff that was really over the top saying that Hamas did so they could carry out the genocide. And I think over time that the Israeli people have been incentivized and propagandized to believe that. Marc Steiner: When you look at American media coverage as you do with intensity, and it seems that it’s changed significantly over the last 10 years, talk a bit about your analysis about why that is and why- Oh Mark, Robin Anderson: I’ve been writing about media and war for an awfully long time. Marc Steiner: Yes, you have. Yes, you have. Yes, you have. That’s why I asked you the question. Robin Anderson: I see this whole … I think one of the really big changes was when the US media embedded with the troops during the war on terror. This did two things. It showed you one side of the war, the US soldier’s side and emphasized that side because they were right there over the shoulder. And then the other thing is they allowed them to talk about it as if it were a reality show. And so we had these entertainment frames coming in with the war on terror, first a reality show, the invasion. Then of course there was the rescue of Saving Private Lynch, which was just the movie plot to Saving Private Ryan. And then you had all of the first person shooter game soldiers would come back and help them with the technology, help them with making it look like real shooters. So for a long time, the whole beginning of the 21st century, war was turned into entertainment by our media. Sadly, what happened in Gaza was that it was so horrible. The media tried something else. Well, I’m just going to say what the Israelis say and have this outlandishly pro- Israel coverage, but people had their alternative information sources and they were looking through their handheld devices at the suffering of the people in Gaza. And I think they understood finally that war is not a game. It’s not fun. It’s not exciting. It’s horrible. It’s destructive. It kills people. It puts them in conditions of catastrophic no water, no food and no hospital. One of the things that I read and was the hardest chapter for me to write, Mark, was the hospital chapter, Israel’s destruction of the healthcare system and the attacks on El Shifa and all the subsequent hospitals. And it was so outrageous the way the media covered that, just distortions and one-sided. And those are the real things that I would really like to see them held accountable for that Marc Steiner: Kind of thing. And I’ve covered some of that with doctors from Palestine in Gaza talking about what’s been going on. I’m curious how you think we get to that point where they’re held accountable and well, let me just stop there because the other part is a much deeper question that we may not have time to get into. Well, I’ll say it anyway, which is that hatred of Jews just bubbles below the surface in our world. Antisemitism just bubbles below the surface. This is exploding it. Robin Anderson: That’s right. Marc Steiner: Absolutely. Robin Anderson: And I put that in a number of places in the Marc Steiner: Book Robin Anderson: About how this is really building antisemitism. The way that antisemitism is defined as you cannot say anything against the state of Israel implies that all Jews now are for the state of Israel. That implies that it’s a monolithic community. Marc Steiner: And it’s not. Robin Anderson: And it is absolutely Marc Steiner: Not. Robin Anderson: It’s not. And so when Jewish people are against the genocide, that gets lost in that equation. And now everybody’s going to look to the Jewish people as having perpetrated a genocide. And I think that’s a real problem. Marc Steiner: And in terms of the media coverage itself, one of the things I thought about as I was reading what you wrote, it shows the power of the media to influence the world in extremely negative and dangerous ways. Robin Anderson: Yes. So as long as the perpetrators are genocide, as long as the global elites, as long as the West unquote can look at a newspaper and stay in this beltway, if you will, this beltway bubble or stay … I think the New York Times and legacy media know that young people who are anti-genocide, they know they’re not watching them. All they care about is the elites and the governments and the congressmen who are under the same influence that the media is. 82% of our Congress people take money from APAC, both Republicans and Democrats. We know the influence that this Israeli lobby has had and that is now becoming toxic. That’s beginning to change. And now we’re going to have the anti-APAC primaries. You take APAC, you’re going to get primaried. Marc Steiner: But you have APAC along with the conservative Christian world together are really pushing this agenda. Robin Anderson: They Marc Steiner: Absolutely Robin Anderson: Are. Marc Steiner: Yeah. Robin Anderson: Christian Zionism and Christian nationalism and white supremacists. I mean, I was just writing something about Pete Hegthest, Christian Crusade cross on his chest and as Jesuit priest said in the Pope, this is not Christianity. This is a cartoon version. This is actually a war game, Crusader Kings. This is actually gaming again, this twisted version of Christianity that now is marked that this is at the White House and Trump thinks he’s God and it’s really horrible. Marc Steiner: So before we have to close, I’m curious all that you’ve written, and I really do encourage people to read this, it’s incredible analysis that you put inside your work that we’ve only touched the surface so we may have to do this again. How do you see this unfolding in terms of our future, in terms of resistance to it and what it might all pretend? Robin Anderson: Well, I think we need to act to preserve alternative media in every way, independent and alternative media and the internet. We need to really focus on that. We need to find the parallels between AI narratives and the kind of empire boomerang that we have going on where so much that has happened in Gaza is now being repeated, if you will, in Lebanon and now the media just isn’t covering it. But I think we really need to look carefully at more of the mechanisms and interconnections that drive the media and that drive the military industrial complex. We’ve now also are entering an era of elite capture where billionaires, the Ellison family is now controlling CBS and they may well control other outlets. And I think these are incredibly dangerous and I think we need to focus our attention there. And I think holding legacy media for their coverage of Gaza Responsible is really primary. I mean, maybe this is a fantasy of MindMark, but I see my book. I have fantasies of somebody holding my book at the Hague and calling out the media at the International Court of Justice and actually telling them for the rest of us how they manipulate the media frames. Marc Steiner: That could happen. I mean, I could see that happening. That’s a good idea. I like that idea. I think this is really important to explore in greater depth and also the contradictions that are involved and the dangers involved in this on so many levels. And I think that I want to encourage people, if you have a chance just to check out the book, The Complicit Lens, US Media Coverage of Israel’s Genocide in Gaza, it’s really worth kind of wrestling with and looking at, plus the articles you’ve written you can find that we’ll be linking to here in this interview. And Robert Anderson, I do hope we stay in touch. You have a lot to say. We’ve barely touched the surface what you have to say and I look forward to many more conversations. Robin Anderson: I do too, Mark. Thanks so much, Brad. Marc Steiner: Thank you for being with us today. Once again, let me thank Robin Anderson for joining us today. We’ll be linking to her work and check out her book on Gaza. It’s entitled The Complicit Lens: Our Mainstream US Media Covered Gaza. And in the coming weeks and months, we’ll be delving more deeply into all of this. And thanks to David Hebdon for running the program today, audio editor, Stephen Frank, for working his magic, Rosette Sowali for producing the Mark Steiner show, the Tylers Keller Rivera for making it all work behind the scenes and everyone here at the real news for making this show possible. Please let me know what you thought about what you heard today, what you’d like us to cover, just write to me at mss@threwnews.com and I’ll get back to you right away. Once again, thank you, Robert Anderson, for joining us today. So for the crew here at the Real News, I’m Marc Steiner. Stay involved, keep listening, and take care. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Marc Steiner.
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“Failures of ‘America First Global Health’”: U.S. Global Health Cuts and DRC Conflict Fuel Ebola Crisis
Sweeping U.S. cuts to critical global health programs, including funding and staffing reductions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. withdrawal...
Sweeping U.S. cuts to critical global health programs, including funding and staffing reductions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), have dangerously weakened the world’s ability to respond to rapidly evolving infectious disease threats, including the escalating Ebola outbreak unfolding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) said today. “This outbreak is unfolding amid devastating cuts to global health and humanitarian assistance in the DRC that have weakened disease surveillance, strained already fragile health systems, and reduced the capacity to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks,” said <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IylbKHiJb99DpROGmsOHCRuxqeoYqUAafXea1UUfVxO9kw5h9RTY8qTDEcq-2FCyBDbx_q_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2BCjnlOQYPqng71B9hRl6Rd4Nu9KpWjs-2FDnxb0GfN9CXhdW9lMQtkqdEpsJg5tZwpD7W-2FWwDATEA27GMKFr8WFOLG60umPuiLWe8hDdk4LiLvXvBz9zPisY8oaZYzW0KY77cIg3yCueGJCxkVi38-2B2pb-2Bfil-2BkjkO7OHxypixy6X52o-2Bv6Fk0QLVuRMiFMfl72FZ8Zoi5jsx0p4oBWvBf6dm4EfohfGr75rJCCIqveolNNFuiE4hkOGNKcxr3A1tQjes1qdAFN-2FK1mLMs9mCr6Rh-2F7ya1ydP3EzwELCB6AA6chsBzvCPYVE0yFi0VIC1GG" rel="noopener noreferrer" >Thomas McHale, SM, public health director at PHR. “Physicians for Human Rights has documented how abrupt U.S. foreign aid cuts disrupted frontline health services and infectious disease programs in conflict-affected eastern DRC, leaving communities more vulnerable at precisely the moment sustained international public health engagement when it is needed most. ” The current Ebola outbreak, which the WHO <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IylbKHiJb99DpROGmsOHCTisUzbFMySf-2B0mc9xvfJNGOfluBAzjd9G5k47QaNh0-2BqNWeJNq-2FshozX4GCf-2BXoYmdPxya1fxA-2B0p19g1f4YPOsWHBoMp49nITnUh80KdG846OuZ2ZVHRsvbc2ZFyCLpZWpeNRyFo1njP72o-2FmYFnn-2F5QNVrf-2BHWY5ExNyHIRnESvVzrmjJsEnW-2BUIki3eOMcATD1mJxa5RuE342kEBDuTFeyZYVavT46eu9niJSJIvzaqF_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2BCjnlOQYPqng71B9hRl6Rd4Nu9KpWjs-2FDnxb0GfN9CXhdW9lMQtkqdEpsJg5tZwpD7W-2FWwDATEA27GMKFr8WFOLG60umPuiLWe8hDdk4LiLvXvBz9zPisY8oaZYzW0KY77cIg3yCueGJCxkVi38-2B2pazOhlh8-2FCR10cJGocd6IgTnQOYprrHMZuggY65VGo4xykxC8SxXDl62yNMKJ1pRr8S9JahKQ94VGQBQ-2F7NyB7WvH-2BLlRdl6dQxNylmEAox2HpzlUvXPnQEqx-2BGJXJnWOaBWUXYgc48Juqcs98JDMRWK0Y-2BoC5Sq57rE3135O1qm" rel="noopener noreferrer" >declared a “public health emergency of international concern,” involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or targeted treatment. Cases have already been <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IylbKHiJb99DpROGmsOHCTisUzbFMySf-2B0mc9xvfJNGOfluBAzjd9G5k47QaNh0-2BqNWeJNq-2FshozX4GCf-2BXoYmdPxya1fxA-2B0p19g1f4YPOsWHBoMp49nITnUh80KdG846OuZ2ZVHRsvbc2ZFyCLpZWpeNRyFo1njP72o-2FmYFnn-2F5QNVrf-2BHWY5ExNyHIRnESvVzrmjJsEnW-2BUIki3eOMcATD1mJxa5RuE342kEBDuTFeyZYVavT46eu9niJSJIvTxeW_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2BCjnlOQYPqng71B9hRl6Rd4Nu9KpWjs-2FDnxb0GfN9CXhdW9lMQtkqdEpsJg5tZwpD7W-2FWwDATEA27GMKFr8WFOLG60umPuiLWe8hDdk4LiLvXvBz9zPisY8oaZYzW0KY77cIg3yCueGJCxkVi38-2B2pbItfwLdkSbtFl0gGBptXA8zleIYBBmrggd4TgKc3wXmAr7xC8bnC0OUcipNZe3DKTJuSAWXEXQj8RxqUKr8BE5jVujV0P6mwQTpXx3UuAASGPpkMyJZJYygul-2BY2M0k5rE3cIcQdtfWF-2BCY7mgVcGSYCb8iMBHgKFXM8e9RK-2BSD" rel="noopener noreferrer" >identified in and around Bunia, Goma, and Bukavu in eastern DRC as well as in Kampala, Uganda, which are densely populated urban areas, and health workers themselves have become infected. The crisis is unfolding with the rapid and unchecked spread of infections and the sharply rising death toll, with 139 confirmed deaths reported to date.-A devastating set of emergencies are converging in eastern DRC, where ongoing armed conflict, attacks on civilians and health facilities, and mass population displacement have already pushed fragile health systems to the brink. Violence in and around Ituri and Goma, where several cases of Ebola have been detected, has severely disrupted humanitarian access and public health operations precisely as Ebola is spreading rapidly through affected communities. PHR’s network of medical and humanitarian partners in DRC are reporting mounting tolls from the outbreak and scarce resources to confront the emergency. A doctor in an Ebola-affected area of DRC tells PHR that “…this outbreak is occurring at a time when we are no longer truly able to carry out proper epidemiological surveillance because of the disruption in USAID funding. To continue this surveillance, we are forced to rely on our own personal resources, including purchasing phone credit, fuel, and paying transportation costs. This is extremely difficult given the current level of need.” Health workers in DRC told PHR that they need support for disease surveillance, materials to support safe disposal of bodies, including body bags, access to laboratories to process samples quickly, and infection prevention and control supplies, including masks, protective suits, face shield and other personal protective equipment to allow health workers care for Ebola patients safely. The same doctor told PHR that “…without rapid support, surveillance, case confirmation, the safe management of bodies, and the protection of health care workers all risk being seriously compromised.” U.S. global health funding cuts have <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IylbKHiJb99DpROGmsOHCTud6ZAjCKgYJdX3X09e7n2WAR8eXgnWK8voYW6rim7D9CzfE1lpmoOActP5BjtRcHugvEmKOMGRKLqizWIL6mODUjA5UvB94e-2F4JjWmNKnXP5FQ_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2BCjnlOQYPqng71B9hRl6Rd4Nu9KpWjs-2FDnxb0GfN9CXhdW9lMQtkqdEpsJg5tZwpD7W-2FWwDATEA27GMKFr8WFOLG60umPuiLWe8hDdk4LiLvXvBz9zPisY8oaZYzW0KY77cIg3yCueGJCxkVi38-2B2pbaZAkn8D8b71jhhVAaeGTCrD8BrRqUXa1C-2BodMravXtp2j6Teq9rZ-2FSJLIhfJYNQDvIXbv7Bf-2BCmLCI84lf8z5yC9ABgUIiUi24EiAW1Vy-2BTLYK7F1KMMUNOrcBQDO-2FIRhXRIV7Hm2dw2XlmWQ4MZW-2FAAXLWlkynwumOr2dosgw" rel="noopener noreferrer" >contributed to the global health emergency posed by the Ebola outbreak. Decades of U.S. investment helped build the disease surveillance systems, laboratory infrastructure, trained workforce, community outreach networks, and emergency coordination mechanisms necessary to detect and contain outbreaks early before they spiraled into regional and global crises. But those systems are now being <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IylbKHiJb99DpROGmsOHCXpV8Oq7YfFOSozqXIciqSdrVRDtBTHKCqsTtUPM8BGP3MlqIv83zIrMnYrm8CMmJ5xr4po-2B4km9JxYTHD-2BKtSUhtZiDDsZBEugp5fjCo15EnhEj8Zev3keWJjC-2BO2Y7-2Fg-3D-3D2tCt_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2BCjnlOQYPqng71B9hRl6Rd4Nu9KpWjs-2FDnxb0GfN9CXhdW9lMQtkqdEpsJg5tZwpD7W-2FWwDATEA27GMKFr8WFOLG60umPuiLWe8hDdk4LiLvXvBz9zPisY8oaZYzW0KY77cIg3yCueGJCxkVi38-2B2pQhBOWw9MajwxQZnBoXwdRylFcnChieY-2B2kP4iYAxJPOH-2FWnO98Ip68mm7zWgbZZ2x6PogPXH6V-2BfGokZhj74S3t-2Bdzkv1uTvGURh6mQcsEQS07wrOqI5GAW9f0cJmR02csmmLexYY6J-2BtJRvaKzfZFo1eeMkVr5NSXJsDAoS24G" rel="noopener noreferrer" >hollowed out. The Trump administration’s abrupt cuts to U.S. global health funding in January 2025 have undermined public health efforts around the globe, resulting in impacts such as disruptions to HIV and TB prevention and treatment programs, the elimination of services for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and undermining critical disease monitoring. U.S. funding cuts are degrading public health response capacities in eastern DRC, across Africa, and globally at a moment when rapid response care and robust international coordination is urgently needed. Public health experts have expressed alarm that the latest outbreak of this rare strain of Ebola <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IylbKHiJb99DpROGmsOHCV50Pr5OKyJHEdWBQ7rMu0imF1N9NZ-2FbwjFMbmFUWOROf2r9lXD2ohUUWKZ6cPud-2FwphZCpowSBia8vYUQFHWHfx7wIpJh0W-2BOeeSG5dFSztSqDO4MzgJMG0mg-2FHArlfSC-2BS06wjJrATw9txkznQq7rZMc4bNF2AT9c1fKecOzuF58-2B6pB3rIZYIuKFiJRulTw-3D-3DQ0QT_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2BCjnlOQYPqng71B9hRl6Rd4Nu9KpWjs-2FDnxb0GfN9CXhdW9lMQtkqdEpsJg5tZwpD7W-2FWwDATEA27GMKFr8WFOLG60umPuiLWe8hDdk4LiLvXvBz9zPisY8oaZYzW0KY77cIg3yCueGJCxkVi38-2B2pe2XNcCVDMifAkXPIavvkuXfFrZ9Ww8zOSwI5yYBr-2BBPV-2FUgX-2BX5D5oIjxh4fJwVIbQaa5hd9wUKvZqQVNlvPQGxvdlREyWs3lCALz-2BQb2zQwnE4NwRe2pkPwvnUTJ0yPVVF-2FPMuHkkOGWaqjBcC5on4jNxx9mG7SAysrlyZYsgm" rel="noopener noreferrer" >likely went undetected for two months, allowing the virus to spread further and losing critical opportunities to trace, isolate, and treat individuals who were exposed or infected. “The outbreak of Ebola in DRC is another example of the failures of the America First Global Health strategy,” said McHale. “At its best, U.S. global health leadership can help identify, address, and prevent infectious disease outbreaks before they spiral out of control. But this outbreak comes at a time when the United States has shuttered USAID, slashed CDC funding and work force, cut resources for humanitarian response in DRC, including <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IylbKHiJb99DpROGmsOHCTud6ZAjCKgYJdX3X09e7n2WAR8eXgnWK8voYW6rim7D9CzfE1lpmoOActP5BjtRcHugvEmKOMGRKLqizWIL6mODUjA5UvB94e-2F4JjWmNKnX2Oio_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2BCjnlOQYPqng71B9hRl6Rd4Nu9KpWjs-2FDnxb0GfN9CXhdW9lMQtkqdEpsJg5tZwpD7W-2FWwDATEA27GMKFr8WFOLG60umPuiLWe8hDdk4LiLvXvBz9zPisY8oaZYzW0KY77cIg3yCueGJCxkVi38-2B2pcMysJcbDNIaWywmgh5NH6QEXhwN-2FQmvkwXCFxiXMWMlR2BY7sxlGEqXzABUcqsC4tzHk8g8tIA0dP0MneNUp66jZUJl9RBMo8UyatndxKp2Mecm43SM93PP2pW02Bnkm4EFcI2KsJJX4tXaZ-2F873KzAvSruSsWQtMRpfjDYOTZL" rel="noopener noreferrer" >disease surveillance capacity, and hampered the ability of health care workers on the ground to respond to the emerging Ebola crisis.” PHR’s recent report, <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IylbKHiJb99DpROGmsOHCeYTo-2F03zXOdaRJN4ypo-2FC2hcjHdfXkfjn1U58OPsKNUsVZcznZ8M4I5ZskQo9LxNhsAekmTYNZD0LNpqIeN-2BthslMS5UbuthY4jz-2BSZpDc1qEL0lQTzTufyYw5IItGWmvnn1yodimGo2IN9JDZ74ElxXiBKMr5owDLxmDJMbGDQpgBhvx89Oi7BNOVh3y3U9g-3D-3D3nXn_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2BCjnlOQYPqng71B9hRl6Rd4Nu9KpWjs-2FDnxb0GfN9CXhdW9lMQtkqdEpsJg5tZwpD7W-2FWwDATEA27GMKFr8WFOLG60umPuiLWe8hDdk4LiLvXvBz9zPisY8oaZYzW0KY77cIg3yCueGJCxkVi38-2B2pQxTvNPJ7Jn0BqbtxEQaHxLBWidutmZtJFFMtanUFVLe63EEkWB7EQPozoYBhHcacWmhYMQH25Fk4YVWIIljQd11b9UbYM4-2Fx5HdfzU-2FrGdtgeJEX0YMesx2TZBjnnbl1RMxyvf1vmqkdQK572QIkvkc1-2ByTWgue-2BqyYGT9waZxx" rel="noopener noreferrer" >“Wasted Investments, Looming Crisis,” documents how reductions in US support for global health have dismantled research platforms, surveillance infrastructure, and frontline health systems that are essential not only for HIV and TB programs, but also for responding to future outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases. A research brief by PHR (<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.IylbKHiJb99DpROGmsOHCeYTo-2F03zXOdaRJN4ypo-2FC0DfQJvUkU9mrxPVR0tPZGxTUuj8K7YkzsT-2B8rhlvSFSEVob4OX4MKg9gd9uzc-2FMBukOdnHumaajdYM-2FqyLGR1CGmkwV-2BT18eVALKv9jX6UpNVD6KsDAlUw3r7ox8FVU4o7gWkszig-2BbV8-2FBEygpDBJOrW-2Fm-2Fjs5UWyrIfc9U2CYw-3D-3DjNLg_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2BCjnlOQYPqng71B9hRl6Rd4Nu9KpWjs-2FDnxb0GfN9CXhdW9lMQtkqdEpsJg5tZwpD7W-2FWwDATEA27GMKFr8WFOLG60umPuiLWe8hDdk4LiLvXvBz9zPisY8oaZYzW0KY77cIg3yCueGJCxkVi38-2B2pfuNvquSmA3n5L7Y-2FJKXI0DwDTgFdfpKwZLW2ABmHC01-2Fb4ZQLC08IxzmT-2BrYosy-2Fu8hdm2UFbQPu8ge8BBp4iZenNMmm0M0e5SgabyVlHnSmK1yEedLIfhHrusVRqTTlwlV03S-2BmXArw-2FuTxtC-2BkrH6-2BhYOIpsUTnkwrCPlOIxE" rel="noopener noreferrer" >“Abandoned in Crisis”) documented the early impacts of U.S. aid cuts on health services in DRC. “Due to the Trump administration’s cuts, we no longer have the full measure of global coordination and operational capacity needed to rapidly track transmission, monitor cross-border spread, support frontline clinicians, and swiftly identify and treat people who may have been exposed,” said McHale. “In the conflict-affected regions of eastern DRC, where insecurity and displacement are accelerating disease transmission and limiting access to care, these losses are especially dangerous and further deepening the polycrisis. Global health security depends on sustained international cooperation — not retreat.” As world leaders gather at the World Health Assembly in Geneva this week, governments must urgently promote a rights-based Ebola response that is grounded in science, transparency, and respect for human dignity, while ensuring affected communities have access to timely, evidence-based care and information. Immediate support is needed to protect frontline health workers through the provision of adequate personal protective equipment and infection prevention and control supplies, as health workers remain at heightened risk of exposure. World governments should urgently scale support for epidemiological surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, safe clinical care, community engagement, and dignified and safe burials, including the provision of body bags and other essential supplies for the safe management of the deceased, and essential personal protective equipment for health care workers. Sustained investment in supply chains, local response capacity, and research into Bundibugyo-specific diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines are essential to preventing further spread and protecting the right to health. The United States should also strengthen coordination with the WHO and fully disburse congressionally-appropriated global health funds to support an effective response to the Ebola crisis, including urgent measures to track and protect exposed individuals and communities, and strengthen frontline response capacities to prevent further spread of the virus. All parties to the conflict in the DRC, including occupying forces, should uphold existing ceasefire agreements and guarantee safe and unhindered access for health care workers and humanitarian personnel to support populations in areas affected by violence. This should include enabling the immediate reopening of Goma International Airport so that life-saving medicines, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid can reach at-risk communities. This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Newswire Editor.
Dispatches from Project Censored: On Media and Politics
Mischa Geracoulis On December 22, 1984, Bernie Goetz—“the subway vigilante”—shot four unarmed Black teenagers on a New York City subway after one had asked Goetz for five dollars. Pulling an unregistered Smith & Wesson revolver from his waistband, ...
Mischa Geracoulis On December 22, 1984, Bernie Goetz—“the subway vigilante”—shot four unarmed Black teenagers on a New York City subway after one had asked Goetz for five dollars. Pulling an unregistered Smith & Wesson revolver from his waistband, Goetz fired five shots with expert precision at the teens, gravely wounding… The post From Ersatz Fear to Epic Fury appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 21, 2026
"They’re Trying to Silence Us": Students, Faculty on Censoring Pro-Palestine Voices at Graduations
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CPJ, partners call on incoming Guatemalan attorney general to end persecution of journalists
In a joint letter led by the Committee to Protect Journalists, eight international press freedom and human rights organizations urged Guatemala’s incoming attorney general, Gabriel García Luna, to end the use of criminal prosecutions against journalists, drop politically motivated cases, and ensure safe conditions for exiled reporters to return. Over the past eight years, the...
In a joint letter led by the Committee to Protect Journalists, eight international press freedom and human rights organizations urged Guatemala’s incoming attorney general, Gabriel García Luna, to end the use of criminal prosecutions against journalists, drop politically motivated cases, and ensure safe conditions for exiled reporters to return. Over the past eight years, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has been used to systematically target independent journalists through legal harassment, forced exile, and arbitrary detention. Journalist Jose Rubén Zamora, whose imprisonment has been widely condemned as retaliation for his corruption reporting, has become the most visible symbol of this crackdown. More than 20 journalists fled the country between 2022 and 2023, while killings of media workers continue with near-total impunity. The organizations call on García Luna to dismiss all unfounded cases tied to journalistic work, guarantee safe return conditions for exiled reporters, and restore the independence and credibility of the prosecutor’s office. Read the full statement here. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
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CPJ calls for humane treatment, release of press detained aboard Gaza-bound flotilla
Beirut, May 21, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by the video showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, taunting those detained aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla at Ashdod Port in Israel, which included at least 14 international journalists, while they were handcuffed and held in stress positions on the...
Beirut, May 21, 2026 — The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by the video showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, taunting those detained aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla at Ashdod Port in Israel, which included at least 14 international journalists, while they were handcuffed and held in stress positions on the floor. In the video, published on X by the minister, he can be heard yelling, “Welcome to Israel, we are the landlords,” while waving a large Israeli flag over dozens of detainees forced to kneel side by side on the floor, their hands tied behind their backs and their heads lowered to the ground. Another clip shows security forces violently throwing a handcuffed activist to the ground after the activist shouts, “Free Palestine” at Ben Gvir. The minister also said the detainees should be imprisoned for “a long, long time.” “International humanitarian law is unequivocal: detainees — including journalists — must be protected from humiliation, intimidation, degrading treatment, and abuse,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “Publicly displaying restrained detainees for political messaging raises serious concerns about dignity, due process, and the treatment of those in custody.” CPJ has identified at least 14 members of the press from multiple nationalities aboard the vessels intercepted in international waters near the Mediterranean island of Cyprus starting on May 18, as they attempted to reach Gaza on a humanitarian mission. They include: Alex Colston, American journalist, regular contributor for Zeteo and Drop Site News Lautaro Rivara, Argentinian freelance investigative journalist, works for Diario Red & Canal Red Jubair Islam Khan, British-Bangladeshi filmmaker owns independent video production company Film Soul LTD Gijs Sanders, Dutch journalist with BNNVARA Diederick Willem Groenewoud, Dutch investigative journalist with BNNVARA Andre Prasetyo Nugroho, Indonesian journalist with Tempo TV Thoudy Badai Rifan Billah, Indonesian photojournalist with Republika. Bambang Noroyono, Indonesian journalist with Republika Rahendro Herubowo, Indonesian freelance journalist who contributes to GPCI media Simona Losito, Italian freelance investigative journalist with InsideOver. Alessandro Mantovani, Italian journalist with Il Fatto Quotidian newspaper – confirmed released Zainal Rashid Ahmad, Malaysian independent journalist, who runs his independent digital media platform ZRA STRIM Ignacio Ladron de Guevara Duran, Spanish journalist with EL PAÍS Ümmü Gülsüm Durmuş, Turkish journalist with GZT Following his deportation from Israel, Italian journalist Alessandro Mantovani told reporters he was “taken to Ben Gurion airport in handcuffs and with chains on our feet and put on a flight to Athens”. “They beat us up. They kicked us and punched us and shouted ‘Welcome to Israel’,” he said of his treatment by Israeli security forces. Adalah, an Israel-based legal advocacy group whose lawyers have visited the detainees, told CPJ of widespread due process violations, physical and psychological abuse, and violence, including the repeated use of tasers and rubber bullets, against the detainees. The group said at least one journalist reported being violently beaten while in custody. After intercepting the Gaza bound vessels, Israeli forces brought the approximately 430 people detained to the port of the Israeli coastal city of Ashdod for deportation, as had occurred in previous attempts to break Israel’s maritime blockade of the Palestinian territory. CPJ calls on Israeli authorities to uphold their obligations under international law and guarantee the safety, rights, and humane treatment of all detainees, and immediately and unconditionally release all journalists currently being held. We further urge the international community and the governments of the detained journalists’ home countries to act decisively by demanding transparency and accountability, and ensuring immediate access to legal representation and humanitarian protections. The normalization of humiliation and abuse against detainees cannot be normalized. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
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“They’re Trying to Silence Us”: Students, Faculty on Censoring Pro-Palestine Voices at Graduations
As colleges hold graduation ceremonies across the country, many schools are attempting to silence pro-Palestine speech at the commemorations, including canceling speakers and eliminating live speeches by students altogether. There will be no l...
As colleges hold graduation ceremonies across the country, many schools are attempting to silence pro-Palestine speech at the commemorations, including canceling speakers and eliminating live speeches by students altogether. There will be no live student speakers at the City University of New York’s School of Law or at New York University’s school-specific ceremonies after former students gave speeches that included expressing support for Palestine and criticism of Israel. Rutgers University canceled biotech CEO Rami Elghandour’s commencement speech at its School of Engineering’s convocation, citing complaints about his social media posts on Israel and Palestine. And the University of Michigan’s president issued a public apology after professor Derek Peterson praised pro-Palestine students during his commencement address. “Our students are being told that your families, Palestinian families, are expected to suffer and die, and you should be OK with it,” says Noura Erakat, a Palestinian human rights attorney and professor at Rutgers University. Erakat adds that Rutgers professors have been asked not to teach about the conditions in Gaza. “We are asked to betray the empirical record, including the one on genocide and apartheid, and we refuse to do that.” “This will be the third graduation and commencement ceremony in a row where we do not have a student speaker, we do not have a faculty speaker and we do not have a live-stream commencement,” says Shivani Desai, a member of CUNY Law Students for Justice in Palestine. “They took all of that away from us, and they took that away specifically because of Palestine repression.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
The decades-old U.S. humanitarian aid agency USAID was largely dismantled in the early days of President Trump’s second term by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. The authors of a new study in the journal Science conc...
The decades-old U.S. humanitarian aid agency USAID was largely dismantled in the early days of President Trump’s second term by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. The authors of a new study in the journal Science conclude, “The abrupt withdrawal of USAID led to a significant and sustained increase in conflict across Africa’s most USAID-dependent regions.” We are joined by Austin Wright, one of the study’s authors and a professor of public policy at the University of Chicago. “What we found is that that shutdown had these large effects,” says Wright. “These are often double-digit percentage increases in the incidence, severity and lethality of violence across Africa in the affected regions.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
LETUCE – A Take Away Show • Rio de Janeiro, 2011
“Clear Racism”: Trump Admin Blocks Refugee Resettlement, Except for White South Africans
The Trump administration is advancing plans to resettle an additional 10,000 white South Africans in the United States as refugees. Under President Trump’s proposal, which was submitted to Congress on Monday, the U.S. would lift its reco...
The Trump administration is advancing plans to resettle an additional 10,000 white South Africans in the United States as refugees. Under President Trump’s proposal, which was submitted to Congress on Monday, the U.S. would lift its record-low refugee admissions figure from 7,500 to 17,500, with the additional openings reserved for Afrikaners. This comes as the administration continues to block the entry of refugees from other countries. The U.S. has resettled just over 6,000 refugees between October and April — all except three were from South Africa. Trump has said Afrikaners face racial persecution and genocide in South Africa, claims that have been rejected by the U.N. Human Rights Office, among others. Last year, he cut off aid to the country and boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg. “Whiteness is being recast as endangered,” says Lebohang Pheko, a professor of practice at the University of Johannesburg. “There is a move towards the alt-right, the MAGA discourse, which is about replacement theory, and which is absolutely about displacing the idea that anything other than whiteness is normative.” Pheko also suggests that Trump’s actions toward South Africa are retribution for the genocide case it brought against Israel at International Court of Justice. “We are processing resettlement cases for white Afrikaners at a record pace,” adds Sharif Aly, president of the International Refugee Assistance Project, which is currently litigating a class-action lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s dismantling of the United States refugee program. “This program has never been a fast program, and it’s being expedited for just this one population.” While Afrikaners are being quickly resettled, “thousands of other people who have went through years of vetting, who have went through years of persecution and violence,” are being blocked from entering the U.S., says Aly. This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Iran Announces “Controlled Maritime Zone” in Strait of Hormuz , 20 Million in Sudan Face Acute Hunger as Rival Military Factions Continue Deadly Strikes, Cuba Promises “Fierce Resistance” as USS Nimitz Arrives in Southern Caribbean, Israel Continues Attacks on Lebanon Even After Agreeing to Extend “Ceasefire”, Israeli Settlers Erect Illegal Outpost and Burn Palestinian Vehicles in Occupied West Bank, Israeli Drones and Bullets Kill Four Palestinians in Gaza, Video Shows Israeli Security Minister Ben-Gvir Taunting Handcuffed Gaza Flotilla Activists, Elon Musk’s SpaceX and OpenAI Confirm Plans to Go Public, Meta Lays Off 10% of Workforce and Assigns Thousands to New AI Initiatives, Sen. Sanders and Rep. Lee Unveil New Bill to Abolish Super PACs, Colbert Signs Off Tonight on the Final Broadcast of “The Late Show”, Demonstrators in Bolivia Call for President Paz to Step Down
Iran Announces "Controlled Maritime Zone" in Strait of Hormuz 20 Million in Sudan Face Acute Hunger as Rival Military Factions Continue Deadly Strikes Cuba Promises "Fierce Resistance" as USS Nimitz Arrives in Southern Caribbean Israel Continues Attacks on Lebanon Even After Agreeing to Extend "Ceasefire" Israeli Settlers Erect Illegal Outpost and Burn Palestinian Vehicles in Occupied West Bank Israeli Drones and Bullets Kill Four Palestinians in Gaza Video Shows Israeli Security Minister Ben-Gvir Taunting Handcuffed Gaza Flotilla Activists Elon Musk's SpaceX and OpenAI Confirm Plans to Go Public Meta Lays Off 10% of Workforce and Assigns Thousands to New AI Initiatives Sen. Sanders and Rep. Lee Unveil New Bill to Abolish Super PACs Colbert Signs Off Tonight on the Final Broadcast of "The Late Show" Demonstrators in Bolivia Call for President Paz to Step Down This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Democracy Now! Thursday, May 21, 2026 This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Spanish MEP accuses EU of failure to act over Israeli ‘kidnapping, hijacking’ of Gaza flotilla activists
By Beyza Binnur Donmez in Strasbourg Spanish Member of the European Parliament Irene Montero has accused the European Union (EU) of failing to protect European citizens aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israel, directing sharp criticism at the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during a plenary session on the Middle East. Addressing Kallas in
By Beyza Binnur Donmez in Strasbourg Spanish Member of the European Parliament Irene Montero has accused the European Union (EU) of failing to protect European citizens aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla intercepted by Israel, directing sharp criticism at the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas during a plenary session on the Middle East. Addressing Kallas in the parliament chamber on Tuesday, the Podemos lawmaker condemned Israel’s actions in the Mediterranean and accused EU leaders of remaining silent, reports Anadolu Ajansi. “Israel has been in the middle of the Mediterranean for 24 hours, and that is saying something, hijacking ships and kidnapping European citizens,” Montero said. READ MORE: Tehran says it is reviewing US response to peace proposal — and global anger over Israeli treatment of Gaza flotilla activists Israel begins deporting Gaza aid flotilla activists amid global outcry Peters condemns Israeli minister over flotilla video as 3 Kiwis detained Peace Action demands NZ summon Israeli ambassador over brutal action against activists Other Gaza flotilla reports “You find that amusing, don’t you? It doesn’t amuse me at all,” she said, asking: “Are you ever going to lift a finger to protect them?” Montero questioned how the EU would react if another country had carried out similar actions. “What would you do if it were Iran, if it were Russia standing in the middle of the Mediterranean to kidnap European citizens?” she asked. “But since it’s Israel, you just smile and look the other way. Shame on you.” Shared her speech footage Later on Wednesday, Montero shared footage of her speech in a post on the US social media platform X, accusing the EU of helping “genocidaires.” “Israel assaults and hijacks ships loaded with aid for Gaza right in the middle of the Mediterranean, and this lady finds it amusing and doesn’t lift a finger to defend the kidnapped people,” she wrote. “They help the genocidaires without even hiding it.” ❝Ms. Kallas, Israel has spent the last 24 hours, which is no small matter, in the middle of Mediterranean hijacking ships and kidnapping European citizens. You find that amusing, don’t you? It doesn’t amuse me at all❞ Spanish MEP Irene Montero confronted EU foreign policy… pic.twitter.com/YIHm7SZeHI — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 20, 2026 Deportation begins The Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla said Tuesday that all 50 vessels in its aid convoy and about 430 crew and activists had been seized by Israel. Al Jazeera reports that Israel has begun deporting detained Gaza flotilla activists amid a global outcry over their “appalling” treatment by their Israeli captors. They were being released from the Ktziot detention facility where they were forcibly taken to. The Adalah legal rights group said it had received confirmation from the Israeli Prison Service and state authorities that all detained members of the Global Sumud Flotilla and Freedom Flotilla Coalition were being transferred for deportation. According to Adalah, most of the activists are being taken to Ramon Airport to be flown out of the country, while its legal team is monitoring the process to ensure that all activists are safely and fully sent without further delay. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128250" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-680wide-1.png" alt="Israeli navy officers boarding a Gaza flotilla boat" width="680" height="441" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-680wide-1.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-680wide-1-300x195.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-680wide-1-648x420.png 648w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Israeli navy officers boarding a Gaza flotilla boat to seize and abduct the crew. Image: AJ screenshot APR 37 MEPs demand ‘accountability’ Meanwhile, Global Sumud Aotearoa reports that while the activists remained detained after their illegal kidnapping, 37 Members of the EU Parliament circulated and co-signed a protest letter. Although the flotilla are now being released, the demand for accountability in the MEP letter remains the same: “On 18 May 2026, Israeli naval forces violently abducted the humanitarian workers of the Global Sumud Flotilla in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea. “Their abduction constitutes yet another flagrant violation of the rights and principles enshrined in EU law. A previous interception of this same flotilla on 29 April produced documented testimony of systematic torture, severe physical abuse and sexual violence against detained participants. “The EU–Israel Association Agreement contains binding human rights obligations. Those obligations are being openly and repeatedly violated. Continued inaction by European institutions renders the EU complicit in this pattern of impunity. “We therefore demand: Immediate suspension of the EU–Israel Association Agreement pending compliance with its human rights provisions; Immediate and unconditional release of all detained flotilla participants; An independent international inquiry into the full scope of EU member state complicity in the abduction, detention, and documented physical and sexual violence inflicted upon flotilla participants by Israeli forces. “Europe cannot continue to look away. Each failure to act is a signal to Israel that there is no cost to lawlessness. That signal must end now.” This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
CIRCASSIA (sonic exploration of an ancient land)
Burgers, Brats, and Busted Budgets: Summer Staples Up 13%, Travel Prices Surging Ahead of Memorial Day
New data released today by Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation shows how President Trump’s reckless economic policies and war in Iran are driving up the costs of summer cookouts and travel season. Prices for backyard barbecue staples j...
New <a href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszs2ynCAUBOCngd25BciPLljcja8xdYTjDBHEgGMmb58ydbdfd1d19GoMWlhOXjo3DcZZo_jL61Frubg1SovGhGldglYYlBJDiHI1PHmLgqILdw3jQzoclkVoqY3QxLToKdKWfkPBlKl1MDYGE-3kInz6xx1fd8Czf53n0dnwzdTM1Pxs9b3HP7VtoeaMS214pou-ansyNd_O1Iwd-rsUarClsHWo6wqFSm0JM0T8C_3EI1OH9wFygLoDXtTwSYB7hLPhRRmOlgJ16BUbLxQTQqNM2AlS9P_h8QNs-FajU9bx5n_VnWkRail1j42w9Psa72cjKveSSIZlpAlGZwNoqQbA0U2gpVPSrUKik_zy6l8AAAD__zy1ehM" rel="noopener noreferrer" >data released today by Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation shows how President Trump’s reckless economic policies and war in Iran are driving up the costs of summer cookouts and travel season. Prices for backyard barbecue staples jumped 13% on average since last year, more than four times the rate of inflation. Burgers will run families 20% more, Kraft Heinz ketchup jumped 14%, and grilled corn on the cob costs nearly twice as much as it did last year. Even a to-go plate will also cost families more as aluminum foil prices climbed 18%. If working families manage to get through the holiday weekend within budget, their summer travel plans may still be out of reach. Airfare prices are up 26% and expected to keep rising this summer, while gas prices are hovering around $4.50 nationally. As Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy <a href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwsiztyJCEQBU8DXk3wL8bAkNPXUBRQ7LDqjxZa29LtFaOQl5HvZU0mFqeC5KQR79Zj8EY-kvLVO6ZA1UYKuTZbXDQNdfbUWsuyp0CKKxanM1J91Ug2Z-W088qxcGr2ym_9H2zUVx4TfKjF13DHCp_zE99vz0Gu6XGe71PYF2EWYZbrum57Ljtf81aOTZjlicIsHxN-aTLtUD9a-4J6nND6YMhU3qCMfvby84PBtPbzC-bjuGCUnaxzzkS5ce0Eg1emydBr-hGvv0LYFxPRBJQj_T124VQ5tu3Y62Da5u0Yf-Q8B_P2LJl1yZHvEDEUcNpYoIh3cBqNxqY0oZb_k_kOAAD__1aXcPI" rel="noopener noreferrer" >wraps up his family’s seven-month, all-expenses-paid road trip, working families are wondering whether they’ll be able to afford traveling at all this summer. All in, <a href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJxMyzGSGyEQheHTQNYqYICGgGATXWOrB1pa7GGQgbXWt3fJ5WCzV9-rvyQTslVectKIcXPonZEfCaOyNnBk9sVkvwW2MThPZeeoIrOsyZPigtnqHam8a6Rt35XV1inLwqpZC_-sv6BRPXhMcL5kV3zEAl_zCx-X1yGP9LHWY4rtTZirMNfn83kZ_TjqeZ-rn3zJvQlzffSjrprntwk3pvU5-GWT6YTyebv9gftgWkCNR810wuhUYI36gDtN0GZzziv0UZirbFwqweCDaTLUkv7B-38Q25sJaDzKkX70U1iVe2v9LIOpzUsfdznXYG6vklnnPXCEgD6D1WYDChjBajQab0oTavk7mb8BAAD__x1fdBQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" >reports find that the Duffy’s corporate-sponsored vacation would cost at least $900 in fuel expenses – and that’s not including the luxury cruise the family was given to cap off their trip. Trump and his Cabinet couldn’t be more out of touch with working families this Memorial Day weekend. Groundwork’s Chief Economist, Breyon Williams, released the following statement: “Trump’s senseless tariffs and illegal war are robbing American families of their relaxing summer vacation. From the ticket counter to the cookout, consumers are scaling back and going without in the face of Trump’s summer sticker shock.” Janelle Jones, Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation, shared her response: "Prices are rising because of tariffs and the war—two decisions the president made and can undo whenever he wants but by his own admission he doesn't spend any time thinking about Americans' financial situation. Families are getting squeezed on the price of everything and leaders in Washington don't seem to be paying attention." Eat Up: Barbecue Essentials More Expensive Thanks to Trump Beef, hot dog, and bratwurst prices are through the roof (up 20%, 12%, and 28% respectively) as consumers consider firing up the grill this holiday weekend. Fresh produce prices have increased under Trump thanks to higher fertilizer prices and a struggling farm economy. Tomatoes cost 22% more, while corn prices have increased 98% and lettuce is up 19%. Trump’s war in Iran has also driven up the price of plasticware popular at cookouts: disposable plasticware prices are up about 20% compared to last year due to the unrest in the Middle East. These price impacts will last beyond summer barbecue season. Flights, road trips, and even staycations will cost more this summer A family of four can expect to pay an extra $300 on plane tickets this summer as Trump’s war drags on. All major U.S. carriers have announced price hikes of about $10 per checked bag heading into vacation season, on top of skyrocketing airfare. Budget airline Spirit shut down this month partially due to unexpected increases in jet fuel costs while airline CEOs anticipate passing higher operating costs onto consumers via price hikes. Southwest Airlines CEO Andrew Watterson revealed to shareholders in a recent call that there have been five industrywide fare hikes so far this year, and he anticipates more on the way. United CEO Kirby also admitted prices will not come down, saying “The longer consumers pay these prices and airlines get used to this revenue stream, the more likely it is [to hold].” Flyers who can afford higher prices will be crammed onto smaller planes with fewer flight options. Airlines have cut over two million seats and 12,000 flights worldwide in late April and early May, an unprecedented level of cancellations. United Airlines has removed over 21,000 flights from its summer schedule, while Delta and American cut nearly 12,000 combined. Gas prices are at the highest level since 2022, hitting around $4.55 nationally, up more than 50% from $2.98 before the president’s war in Iran started. Working families looking forward to a restful staycation at home may find it more difficult as temperatures rise: Trump’s tariffs have driven up the cost of HVAC systems, and his administration has ended tax credits Americans relied on to upgrade their air conditioning. To talk to a Groundwork expert about rising prices and the economic fallout of Trump’s agenda, email press@groundworkcollaborative.org. This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Newswire Editor.
French National Assembly allows ‘native’ voters to take part in local provincial elections
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk The French National Assembly has voted to allow “native” voters to take part in New Caledonia’s local provincial elections scheduled for next month. However, the French parliament’s Lower House also refused to include their “spouses”, just like the Senate did two days earlier. Amid debates in
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk The French National Assembly has voted to allow “native” voters to take part in New Caledonia’s local provincial elections scheduled for next month. However, the French parliament’s Lower House also refused to include their “spouses”, just like the Senate did two days earlier. Amid debates in Paris on Wednesday evening (Thursday NZT), the vote to include people who were born in New Caledonia since 1998 came at an absolute majority of 386 in favour and 127 against. READ MORE: French Senate endorses change to New Caledonia’s ‘frozen’ electoral roll Other Kanaky New Caledonia reports But the vote on this “organic bill”, only weeks ahead of crucial elections to be held on in the French Pacific territory, is still subject to the verdict of the French Constitutional Council. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, who took part in the heated debates, said the main purposes of the partial “unfreezing” of New Caledonia’s electoral restrictions was to rectify “growing distortions” in New Caledonia’s electoral roll. He said the restrictions were imposed as part of the implementation of the autonomy Nouméa Accord signed in 1998 (since referred to as the “frozen” electoral roll). But since 1998, due to demographic changes, the proportion of “native” people (from all ethnic groups) has grown from seven percent to 17 percent — an estimated 10,500 people. ‘Small step’ but ‘major’ Lecornu reacted to the vote to include “natives”, saying even though it could be regarded as a “small step”, it was a “major step forward” and a “victory for good sense”. But the French Lower House’s vote failed to endorse another amendment regarding the “spouses” of qualified voters and whether they could also be included in the “special electoral roll” (specifically designed for provincial elections). The vote on this specific topic was one vote short (164 against and 163 in favour). The “spouses” category includes about 1700 people who are married to qualified voters — either by legal marriage or by way of a civil union pact (what the French civil status refers to as PACS) for a minimum period of five years. Pro-independence FLNKS MP Emmanuel Tjibaou, during debates, repeated that New Caledonia’s electoral roll could not be modified “without the agreement of the colonised people” (the indigenous Kanak population) and that a prior “consensus on a comprehensive agreement” was required. Talks in view of such a comprehensive agreement were mooted by Lecornu, after the crucial elections to be held on 28 June 2026. The French PM also promised that a comprehensive agreement on New Caledonia’s political future would be finalised “by the end of this year”. Tjibaou assurance Tjibaou, during debates, assured that his pro-independence camp remained engaged in view of the announced post-elections discussions, sometime in July. However, for the pro-France side (parties that wish New Caledonia to remain a part of France), the inclusion of natives but not of the “spouses” was mainly regarded as “disappointing” and “insufficient”. An emotional pro-France MP for New Caledonia, Nicolas Metzdorf (Les Loyalistes), during debates on Wednesday, said even though he was “very happy for the natives of New Caledonia” — “for us, this is far from being enough”. “You are the shame of the Republic, you are the shame of New Caledonia”, he lashed out at French MPs. He warned that since the “spouses” were still denied the right to vote at those local elections, his party would not take part in the announced talks with the French government after the poll and that they would now wait until the next French Presidential elections in 2027. “We have nothing left to expect from this government”, he told the House. Local reactions New Caledonia’s Senator Georges Naturel (Les Républicains, rightwing), who was the mover of the motion in the French Parliament, hailed the lawmakers’ vote (both in the Senate and the National Assembly), saying the inclusion of “natives” was “a gesture of justice and democratic consistency”. However, he remained cautious on the upcoming verdict from France’s Constitutional Council, saying the legal framework was “narrow”. One of the leaders of moderate pro-independence group “UNI” (Union Nationale pour l’Indépendance, which split from FLNKS in 2024), Victor Tutugoro, said this was a “wise decision” on the part of French MPs, because it was in keeping with the spirit of the 1998 Nouméa Accord. Speaking on behalf of the moderate Wallisian-based Éveil Océanien party, Milakulo Tukumuli said he was rather satisfied with the outcome of the vote, because “it is totally in keeping with our position”. The very issue of modifications to New Caledonia’s conditions of eligibility for voters was perceived as one of the main triggering factors that led to riots in May 2024, causing 14 deaths and more than 2 billion euros (NZ$3.9 billion) in material damages, a drop of 13.5 percent in the local GDP, as well as thousands of unemployed due to the destruction of hundreds of businesses. Due to the riots, New Caledonia’s provincial elections have been postponed three times since 2024. Those elections are crucial in the sense that they will choose new members for New Caledonia’s three provincial assembles (North, South and the Loyalty outer islands) and then, proportionally, will determine the makeup of the territorial Congress and its “collegial” government, as well as its president. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Thursday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast - HD
Thursday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast - HD This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4 and was authored by Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4.
This Sheriff’s Office Says Racial Profiling Reforms Are Too Costly. Auditors Found It Misused $163 Million.
The post This Sheriff’s Office Says Racial Profiling Reforms Are Too Costly. Auditors Found It Misused $163 Million. appeared first on ProPublica.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office misused $163 million intended to address racial profiling reforms, according to a court-mandated audit. More than $7,000 in cable TV subscriptions. An $11,000 golf cart. $1.5 million in renovations to office space in a swanky Phoenix high-rise. And another $1.7 million for Tasers. Those were among more than $200 million in expenses that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office billed to a class-action settlement aimed at rooting out racial profiling in the department. A federal judge in 2013 found the department under then-Sheriff Joe Arpaio had violated the constitutional rights of Latino drivers, and the court has required sweeping reforms. These include documenting all traffic stops to detect patterns of racial bias, employing additional investigators to probe reports of deputy misconduct and appointing a monitor to oversee the settlement. Since Sheriff Jerry Sheridan took office last year, he and Republicans on the county’s Board of Supervisors have cited the cost of complying with these orders to call for an end to the settlement of the case known as Melendres v. Arpaio — even as reviews of the department’s traffic stops continue to show racial disparities affecting Latino residents. The lingering disparities amplified Latino leaders and community members’ concerns as the second Trump administration has boosted local law enforcement’s involvement in its mass deportation campaign. Maricopa County, home to more than half of Arizona’s population, has approved $353 million in spending related to the settlement since 2013. But an audit of the sheriff’s office spending ordered by the court and a review of the public ledger by Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica show millions of dollars went to expenses that had little or nothing to do with the settlement. (The audit focused on $226 million that the sheriff’s office charged to the settlement over a 10-year period; it didn’t examine legal and monitoring costs or the two most recent department budgets.) The auditors, who were hired by the monitor, found that nearly 72% of the sheriff’s office spending was misattributed or misappropriated. For example, the full cost of some services and salaries was assigned to the settlement when those jobs were completely unrelated or only partially related to court orders. Only $63 million was appropriately charged to the settlement, they said. Upon releasing its findings late last year, the two-member auditing team, led by an individual with decades of experience in public finance, noted that overstating the cost of the reforms undermines the court’s credibility. “This mischaracterization misleads the public on the cost of reform efforts and calls into question MCSO’s credibility, transparency, and truthfulness of its reporting,” they stated. The financial ledgers detail many of these expenses, including more than $310,000 for travel and professional development. Among them are $1,261 for travel in 2020 to research buying a boat and swift-water rescue training — for deputies who work in the desert, $4,070 to train and test whether to buy a horse for the mounted unit in 2021 and $5,077 to attend National Police Week in Washington, D.C., in 2023. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="275" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?w=752" alt="An illustration of a red inflatable raft with yellow accents floating on water." class="wp-image-77439" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png 4029w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=300,110 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=768,281 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=1024,375 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=1536,562 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=2048,750 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=863,316 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=422,154 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=552,202 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=558,204 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=527,193 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=752,275 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=1149,421 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=2000,732 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=400,146 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=800,293 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=1200,439 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/combined-boat-water.png?resize=1600,586 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office billed $1,261 to train and research buying a rescue boat as part of a racial profiling settlement. The audit concluded that the county Board of Supervisors, which approves the sheriff’s annual budgets, provided no “meaningful” oversight of its spending and had no process to verify if funds were being used appropriately to comply with court orders. Indeed, as costs ballooned, the Board of Supervisors rarely questioned the expenses, Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica found based on a review of nearly a decade of public budget hearings. The supervisors responded to the audit by telling U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow that the reforms, and in particular the audit’s scrutiny of county spending, had far exceeded the original racial profiling complaints. “Hispanic residents of Maricopa County concerned with racial profiling are unaffected by how the County and MCSO allocate costs,” the filing read. “Nor does any member of the Class experience a constitutional violation because MCSO purchased a golf cart.” Snow’s 2013 ruling found deputies had relied on race to pull over Latino drivers during immigration actions, violating their rights to equal protection and against unreasonable seizures. Attorneys for the county have filed a motion to end court oversight. That motion is pending. “Digging into county finances and trying to minimize the cost of Melendres compliance is not just an insult to taxpayers, it’s beyond the federal court’s jurisdiction,” Republican supervisors Thomas Galvin and Kate Brophy McGee said in a November statement. “Nothing about our budgeting or accounting practices violates federal or state law. This is why we decline to participate in further arguments over compliance costs.” Sheridan, whose tenure was not covered by the audit period, dismissed the findings and defended his department’s spending practices. The sheriff’s attorneys joined the motion to end court oversight. The past two years, the Board of Supervisors have approved Sheridan’s budget request, billing an additional $72 million to the settlement. The auditors, William Ansbrow and Eric Melancon, are barred by Snow from speaking publicly about their work. Steve Gallardo, the lone Democrat on the five-member Board of Supervisors, has opposed ending court oversight of the sheriff’s office. He said the focus should remain on eliminating biased policing. The sheriff’s office is above 90% compliance with the two major court orders, but Snow has yet to clear the department in two key areas: racial disparities in traffic stops and a backlog of uninvestigated misconduct claims against deputies. “We should be having benchmarks in terms of, how do we get in full compliance,” Gallardo told Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica in April. “Others are going to say, ‘Well, they keep moving the goalpost.’ Well, let’s continue to move forward. I mean, that should be our overall goals: How do we get in full compliance with the Melendres case?” The sheriff’s office did not respond to Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica’s questions about the spending. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="1021" width="527" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?w=527" alt="An illustration of the Washington Monument obelisk standing on a patch of green grass, surrounded by small American flags at its base against a plain white background." class="wp-image-77428" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png 1784w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=155,300 155w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=768,1488 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=529,1024 529w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=793,1536 793w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=1057,2048 1057w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=863,1672 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=422,818 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=552,1069 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=558,1081 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=527,1021 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=752,1457 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=1149,2226 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=826,1600 826w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=400,775 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=800,1550 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=1200,2325 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/monument.png?resize=1600,3100 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px" /> The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office expensed $5,077 to attend National Police Week in Washington, D.C., as part of a racial profiling settlement. An audit determined it had nothing to do with the settlement. While the audit and county ledger showed spending that appeared unrelated to the court’s orders, they also showed spending spiraling on things the court had ordered. In 2013, Snow required the sheriff’s office to purchase body cameras for patrol deputies and sergeants who conduct traffic stops. The audit found that the number of employees required to wear the cameras ranged from 434 in fiscal year 2023 to 513 in fiscal year 2021. Yet the department had purchased 950 cameras from Axon, a Scottsdale company, at a cost of $8.6 million. About $2.9 million of the spending “exceeded the Court’s requirements,” the audit found. The sheriff’s office also purchased Tasers from Axon, bundled with the body cameras, and charged them to the settlement. The court had not required deputies to carry Tasers. The sheriff’s office contended that buying the cameras separately would have been more costly. Even so, the audit found, the cost for Tasers — roughly $1.7 million — should have been charged to the department’s general fund instead of the settlement. To operate body camera docking stations, the department purchased high-speed internet. But monthly invoices revealed that from fiscal years 2020 to 2024, the charges included cable television subscriptions, which were unrelated to the settlement, totaling $7,670. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="535" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?w=752" alt="An illustration of a black Taser weapon." class="wp-image-77430" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png 2594w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=300,213 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=768,546 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=1024,728 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=1536,1092 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=2048,1457 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=863,614 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=422,300 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=552,393 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=558,397 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=527,375 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=752,535 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=1149,817 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=2000,1423 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=400,285 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=800,569 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=1200,854 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/taser.png?resize=1600,1138 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office expensed Tasers to a racial profiling settlement. An audit determined the purchase should have been charged to general funds instead. Since 2016, Snow has required the sheriff’s office to house the Professional Standards Bureau, its internal disciplinary body, separately from its downtown Phoenix headquarters. The order was intended to encourage residents to report deputy misconduct after Snow found department leadership had routinely interfered in discipline of deputies. (Sheridan was Arpaio’s chief deputy at the time.) To shuttle employees between headquarters and the standards bureau, the sheriff’s office purchased in June 2019 a golf cart valued at $11,800. At the same time, the department was also paying an average of $34,000 a year for additional parking at the bureau building to accommodate visitors and employees, according to the audit and county ledgers. The sheriff’s office added to these costs in July 2024 by moving the bureau for a second time in less than a decade, the audit shows. The bureau now occupies two floors inside a premium midtown Phoenix high-rise, the court’s auditing team found, citing public real estate listings. The department spent $1.5 million refurbishing the new offices, which auditors found was inappropriately charged to the settlement. The bureau had already been housed separately from department leadership, they noted. During a visit to the offices last year, a member of the audit team found that some of the space was empty and noted that the bureau could have been housed in “various unused publicly owned properties.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="614" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?w=752" alt="An illustration of a white golf cart with blue seats, a red flashing siren on the roof and “MCSO” markings on the side." class="wp-image-77425" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png 2915w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=300,245 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=768,627 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=1024,836 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=1536,1255 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=2048,1673 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=863,705 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=422,345 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=552,451 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=558,456 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=527,430 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=752,614 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=1149,939 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=1959,1600 1959w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=400,327 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=800,653 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=1200,980 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=1600,1307 1600w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/golf-cart.png?resize=2000,1634 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> The Professional Standards Bureau, the disciplinary body for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, bought an $11,000 golf cart to ferry employees from their office to headquarters. The expense was unjustified, according to a court-mandated audit of spending on racial profiling reforms. Sheridan says the bulk of spending on the settlement goes toward staffing. Snow called for the creation of two divisions that enforce the court’s orders: the Court Implementation Division and the Bureau of Internal Oversight. The sheriff’s office also hired additional investigators for the Professional Standards Bureau, as it works to clear a backlog of 433 pending investigations. “We went from having an internal investigation division with maybe 15 people to well over 50,” Sheridan told Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica. “You can see those costs right away.” During a February town hall meeting, Sheridan criticized the audit and said the court had required the sheriff’s office to hire 25 sergeants. His chief financial officer said those positions cost about $3 million a year. But the audit determined the sheriff’s office misused funds by charging unrelated or partially related staffing expenses to the settlement. It found that starting in fiscal year 2016, the department shifted the cost of the sergeant positions from general county funds to the settlement. The audit determined that of the 209 positions charged to the settlement at the start of the 2025 fiscal year, only 55 could be reasonably attributed to Snow’s orders. Another 84 were “inappropriately attributed to Melendres,” while an additional 70 were partially related and should have been prorated to reflect the share of the work related to the settlement versus other duties. Expenses related to these employees further exaggerated the cost of the settlement. The sheriff’s office charged $1.3 million to purchase 42 patrol vehicles for positions that the audit found were inappropriately attributed to court orders, including six vehicles for employees whose jobs had no connection to the case. In May 2022, the sheriff’s office began to charge car washes to the Melendres fund for vehicles it purchased for new patrol supervisors. Deputies expensed $3,259 in car washes that were not justified under the court’s orders, according to the audit. In all, the sheriff’s office misattributed to the settlement or inappropriately expensed about $144 million in personnel costs from 2014 to 2024, the audit determined. The auditors concluded that the department continues to misattribute funds, citing accounting practices that remain in place. As a result, they warned, taxpayers could be on the hook for millions of dollars more that have nothing to do with rooting out racial profiling. Galvin and Brophy McGee, two of the Republican supervisors, defended the county’s handling of its finances. “We stand by our budgeting practices and the 209 positions we created as a direct result of the Melendres Orders,” they said in November. “It would be a complete waste of taxpayer money to engage the federal courts in a back-and-forth over what is clearly an issue of local jurisdiction.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="1508" width="527" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/remote-control.png?w=527" alt="An illustration of a black remote control with various buttons, including a prominent circular directional pad and a red power button at the top right." class="wp-image-77429" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/remote-control.png 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/remote-control.png?resize=105,300 105w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/remote-control.png?resize=358,1024 358w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/remote-control.png?resize=537,1536 537w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/remote-control.png?resize=422,1208 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/remote-control.png?resize=552,1580 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/remote-control.png?resize=527,1508 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/remote-control.png?resize=400,1145 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px" /> The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office charged $7,669 in cable television subscriptions to a racial profiling settlement. An audit determined those charged were not justified. Before the audit was released in October, Republican supervisors were calling for an end to judicial oversight to protect the rights of Latino residents, claiming it had become too costly. “It’s a huge expense to the Maricopa County taxpayers,” Supervisor Debbie Lesko told Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica in July. “It seems like it’s never-ending because the judge just changes; they put out a new order. They move the goalposts, and so we need to resolve this.” Their attorneys argued in court that the Melendres lawsuit has been a success and the settlement was no longer needed. The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, which joined the lawsuit in 2008, opposes ending oversight until the sheriff’s office is in full compliance with Snow’s orders. But it signaled a willingness to reduce monitoring of a few requirements that the department has complied with for at least three years. At a January hearing, Snow said he was reluctant to allow the county to “use cost orders both as a sword and a shield and make statements to the public which may, in fact, be completely inaccurate.” He doesn’t intend to police supervisors’ speech, Snow said, but he could require the county to justify the costs. Attorneys for the county and the sheriff’s office asked the judge for an opportunity to challenge the findings, which Snow approved. But they soon dropped it, citing the “unnecessary” cost of examining department spending. Public finance experts said county boards have an obligation to taxpayers to ensure they can account for how each dollar is spent. Zach Mohr, an associate professor at the University of Kansas who teaches public budgeting, accounting and financial management, reviewed the audit for Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica. He said that if the board disagrees with the findings, “the way to solve that would be to get another audit.” Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica attempted to contact all current and former Maricopa County supervisors who had approved sheriff’s office spending during the case. Only Gallardo and one former supervisor agreed to comment. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="775" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?w=752" alt="An illustration of a brown horse’s head and neck, wearing a bridle with reins, against a plain white background." class="wp-image-77427" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png 2984w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=291,300 291w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=768,791 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=994,1024 994w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=1491,1536 1491w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=1988,2048 1988w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=863,889 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=422,435 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=552,569 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=558,575 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=527,543 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=752,775 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=1149,1184 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=1553,1600 1553w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=400,412 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=800,824 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=1200,1236 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=1600,1648 1600w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/horse.png?resize=2000,2060 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office inappropriately charged $4,070 to train and research buying a horse as a part of a racial profiling settlement, a court-required audit determined. The news organizations’ review of past budget hearings showed supervisors had been more likely to probe spending during the early years of the settlement, as the county created infrastructure to implement reforms. In 2016, for example, Sheridan — then the department’s second-in-command — responded to a question about the court’s requirement to purchase body cameras for deputies, saying it was the sheriff’s office’s idea. “They’re more cutting-edge, and they’re more flexible. They travel with the deputies everywhere. And so it was our desire to do the body cameras,” he said at the time. In later years, however, supervisors rarely questioned publicly how the sheriff’s office spent the money. This year was different. Galvin asked the sheriff’s chief financial officer if their Melendres budget request for $36.5 million had been vetted. The officer said yes, adding that requests for the past 13 years were also vetted by the county budget office and state auditor. Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, who served on the board from 1993 to 2014, was the lone Latina and Democrat during most of her tenure. She told Arizona Luminaria and ProPublica she objected to Arpaio’s spending and focus on immigration enforcement — which led to racial profiling, lawsuits and the settlement that continues today. “The others really didn’t, and they found Melendres was way over the top. But they knew they had to comply.” She recalled previous allegations of misspending by the sheriff’s office. In 2011, a county audit found the department used $100 million from jail funds to pay patrol deputies. At the time, Sheridan chalked it up to a bookkeeping error, referring to it as a “systems issue.” The board approved an oversight resolution, adopting rules to prevent the problem from happening again. “Hopefully, this is a chapter in Maricopa County’s history that we close and we never see such an abuse of funds again,” Wilcox told The Arizona Republic in 2011. The post This Sheriff’s Office Says Racial Profiling Reforms Are Too Costly. Auditors Found It Misused $163 Million. appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Rafael Carranza.
CPJ, RSF warn Iran using 83-day blackout to hide press crackdown
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) are warning that the Iranian government is using an ongoing 83-day nationwide internet blackout to hide a severe crackdown on independent media. According to the monitor NetBlocks, the 12-week shutdown is the longest and most severe ever recorded in the country, effectively turning Iran...
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) are warning that the Iranian government is using an ongoing 83-day nationwide internet blackout to hide a severe crackdown on independent media. According to the monitor NetBlocks, the 12-week shutdown is the longest and most severe ever recorded in the country, effectively turning Iran into an information black hole designed to conceal the harassment and arbitrary arrest of local reporters. The digital blackout has directly targeted the press, making safe and accurate reporting nearly impossible. Local journalists are cut off from secure communications and sources, while international press freedom groups face immense difficulty confirming arrests or documenting abuses. This information vacuum has heightened concerns for journalists and media workers already behind bars, including Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh, who remains detained in Tehran‘s Evin Prison with little known about his health or legal status. The joint statement calls on Iranian authorities to immediately restore full internet access across the country, cease all judicial harassment and arbitrary detentions of media workers, and release all journalists imprisoned for their reporting. Read the full statement here in English, Persian (فارسی), and French (français). This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
As seas rise, where will Louisiana’s fishers go?
A new paper says New Orleans must relocate inland. But that’s a lot harder when your economy revolves around seafood.
A new paper generated a fair amount of consternation and eye-rolling when the authors claimed that New Orleans, the largest city in Louisiana, is at risk of being surrounded by open water by the end of the century. As human-caused global warming continues to drive sea-level rise, coastal Louisiana, the paper states, has likely “already crossed the point of no return.” Under the current warming trajectory, the projected loss of the remaining coastal wetlands in southern Louisiana puts over 1 million residents “in harm’s way,” according to the authors. Though that may sound shocking, it wasn’t the controversial part of the paper, which was published in Nature Sustainability this month — at least not to some outspoken critics. Instead, the authors were criticized for arguing that New Orleans should consider managed retreat, or relocating further inland to higher ground to avoid the worst climate impacts. “[P]lease stop saying ‘relocate New Orleans.’ That’s not going to happen,” wrote Christopher Ard, an 11th-generation New Orleanian, in an opinion column in The Lens, a local non-profit newsroom. Ard added, “If people want to move, they will,” and that researchers should instead use “words like ‘abandon’ or ‘give up on’ or maybe even ‘find somewhere new,’” to describe this out-migration. “Relocate just sounds silly,” he wrote. In their paper, the authors estimate coastal Louisiana could face 3 to 7 meters of sea-level rise and further predict that parts of the state’s shoreline will move inwards by 100 kilometers, closer to Baton Rouge. And while they acknowledge that the timeline for these processes is unclear, they insist that the region has a matter of decades to plan for migration away from these dangers, not centuries. The paper does not propose how and when those living in the Mississippi River Delta should move, but rather urges that preparing for projected sea-level rise “is a long process that cannot be put off.” Left out of the paper’s scope is what happens to people whose jobs and livelihoods are tied to the coastline — like fisherpeople — in a managed retreat scenario. Louisiana is the second-largest producer of seafood in the United States, after Alaska, and New Orleans is a central hub for fisheries that catch shrimp, crabs, and fin fish from the wild, as well as harvest oysters, catfish, crawfish, and alligators. “For the fishermen in the state of Louisiana, the loss of, or not being able to use New Orleans as a hub, as a source of infrastructure, as a place to sell seafood — New Orleans consumes a lot of seafood as a market — would be devastating,” said Jeffrey Plumlee, an assistant professor at the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-1164447889.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="a small white boat sits abandoned in coastal waters, surrounded by dead cypress trees in Venice, Louisiana" data-caption="An abandoned boat sits in coastal waters and marsh in Venice, Louisiana. " data-credit="Drew Angerer / Getty Images"/> An abandoned boat sits in coastal waters and marsh in Venice, Louisiana. Drew Angerer / Getty Images It’s important to note that while the paper advocates for managed retreat from the coast, the authors caution against overstating the impacts of sea-level rise. “Eventually, yes, this is not going to be a livable place anymore,” said Torbjörn Törnqvist, one of the paper’s co-authors. But “New Orleans is still going to be around by the end of the century,” he said — it just may look a lot more like Venice, Italy, a city completely surrounded by open water. Such a process would undoubtedly impact the seafood industry in Louisiana, which has already been hit hard by worsening hurricanes — among other factors that have turned the fishing profession into precarious work. Severe storms have badly damaged critical infrastructure for fisheries, like ice houses and fuel docks. When those facilities are destroyed — or if they’re never repaired or replaced — the work becomes harder, and people start looking for opportunities elsewhere. Additionally, young people see the challenges of the industry and start considering other lines of work. “It’s called the graying of the fleet,” a term that describes how the fishing workforce is aging, said Plumlee. This process is not dissimilar from what is happening in southern Louisiana more broadly, where the population has fallen four times in the last five years according to census data. That population decline is not only or specifically tied to extreme weather or environmental conditions. “What you notice in coastal Louisiana is the aging of the population. “Young people are leaving to go find jobs and places where they have more opportunities,” said Beth Fussell, a sociologist and demographer at Brown University, who peer-reviewed the managed-retreat paper. This out-migration, she says, has “most likely has nothing to do with their perception of environmental risk.” It’s true that it is difficult to say with certainty who qualifies as a climate migrant or climate refugee — and in the case of coastal Louisiana, Törnqvist and his co-authors acknowledge movement out of this area is “multi-causal.” But it’s undeniable that environmental factors also shape what jobs and economic opportunities are available — for example, insurance companies have been raising prices or even pulling out of Louisiana entirely. According to Lawrence Huang, a policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, the challenge of moving to a new place and finding new ways to make a living is exactly why people in low-lying communities like New Orleans should make plans sooner rather than later. “This is why starting early and planning now matters, because it takes such a long time to help people find new skills and new occupations,” said Huang. In a situation where a major U.S. city becomes unlivable due to sea-level rise and decides to relocate, he added, “we’re going to have to reskill people so that they can find jobs in their new location. That is the unfortunate reality.” Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="Aerial view of riverbank dwellers carrying banana produce over the dry Solimoes riverbed" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1600w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=330%2C220&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="1067" width="1600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> The world is getting too hot to feed itself Ayurella Horn-Muller If the notion of picking up a whole community and moving it sounds far-fetched, one only needs to look at recent history — and particularly, the experiences of Indigenous peoples — to see that Huang is right. In southern Louisiana, the Isle de Jean Charles, a state-recognized Native American tribe, received nearly $50 million from the federal government in 2016 to relocate to higher ground, after the island on which the tribe lived lost 98 percent of its landmass due to severe coastal erosion and subsidence. The tribal nation is considered the nation’s first climate migrants. In a 2022 interview with StoryCorps, Albert Naquin, the chief of the Isle de Jean Charles, noted that members’ ways of sustaining themselves shifted along with the geography of the island. “Where we used to walk at, now we use boat to travel in,” said Naquin. “And where we used to trap and raise cattle, now we shrimp.” Nevertheless, according to many tribal members, the relocation was a bust. “It’s not worth it. I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody,” one tribal member who relocated told the New York Times. The issues with relocating are myriad, and go beyond what job one will have after migrating. Huang emphasized that, “Planned relocation and managed retreat are not popular terms and it’s because people don’t want to move.” Any conversation around climate-driven human migration, therefore, should “start from that point,” he argued. Still, he admitted, “It’s a good conversation to be having.” This story was originally published by Grist with the headline As seas rise, where will Louisiana’s fishers go? on May 21, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Frida Garza.
Montenegro Might Join The EU. But What Will Brussels Call Its Language?
Georgia’s PSC elections have become a referendum on energy prices
Democrats won big in last year’s election. This year, they’re aiming to win a majority on the commission.
Georgia is one of only ten states that elects its utility commission — the board that has final say over how much millions of Georgians pay for electricity. The state’s public service commission, or PSC, also has substantial say over how that electricity is made and, because fossil fuel power plants are a leading producer of the greenhouse gases, the PSC’s decisions directly influence Georgia’s climate future. From 2006 until last year, all five members of the PSC were Republicans. Democrats Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson won upset victories and have since made it more difficult for Georgia Power to have their decisions rubber stamped. Those elections have had ripple effects in other utility commission races around the country: In Arizona, national activist groups on both sides of the aisle have gotten involved in the race; Alabama lawmakers overhauled their commission in an attempt to shield it from the chance that voters will oust its Republicans. On Tuesday, Georgia held party primaries for two seats on the PSC. November’s elections, then, will be the Democrats’ next chance to win a majority presence on the commission, and could lead to more renewable energy in Georgia and more scrutiny of Georgia Power’s ongoing expansion plans. In the District Five race, Democrat Shelia Edwards defeated opponents Craig Cupid and Angelia Pressley. Republicans Bobby Mehan and Josh Tolbert will square off in a runoff on June 16. Libertarian Thomas Blooming is also running for the seat. “I’m running to be that third vote that’s gonna help them change the trajectory of the PSC,” said Edwards in an interview before the primary. “And to bring some balance to something that’s been completely imbalanced for years.” Edwards, Mehan, and Tolbert have all said they support clean energy, but the Republican candidates clarified they don’t support any sort of renewable energy mandate. “I do not think there is a place on the commission for advocates,” said Tolbert. “It’s not a legislative body. It doesn’t set particular policies. Its job is to ensure that Georgians have reliable, affordable electricity.” Tolbert’s main pitch to voters has been his technical expertise as an engineer with experience working in multiple types of power plants. Mehan, meanwhile, has said his business experience means he can find innovative solutions to problems. He described himself as a pro-gas, pro-nuclear, “all the above energy guy.” Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/high-gas-prices-San-Diego.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="Photo of gas station price board with regular gasoline at 6.19 per gallon" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/high-gas-prices-San-Diego.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1600w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/high-gas-prices-San-Diego.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/high-gas-prices-San-Diego.jpg?resize=330%2C186&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/high-gas-prices-San-Diego.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/high-gas-prices-San-Diego.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/high-gas-prices-San-Diego.jpg?resize=160%2C90&quality=75&strip=all 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/high-gas-prices-San-Diego.jpg?resize=150%2C84&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="900" width="1600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> The Iran war is destroying oil demand. Could it also spark a shift to clean energy? Kate Yoder Control of the commission does not hinge only on Edwards’s race, however. It will also come down to whether Hubbard can retain his seat. The race for District Three could come down to a rematch between Hubbard and Fitz Johnson. Last year’s election in District Three, which Hubbard won, was only for a one-year term. Hubbard ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, but the Republican race was too close to call as of Wednesday afternoon. Johnson leads his primary opponent Brandon Martin by less than 3,000 votes. The results fall within the margin for a recount should Martin request one. Martin did not reply to requests for comment on the result. The winner will serve a full, six-year term. Unlike most candidates from both parties in the primary, Johnson says the commission has done enough to protect ordinary ratepayers from the costs of serving data centers — a hot-button issue as more data centers flock to the state and Georgia Power spends billions of dollars on new resources to serve them. The commission’s votes on that utility expansion help drive home the repercussions of this election. In December, after the two Democrats’ resounding election victory but before the new commissioners took their seats, the five Republican commissioners voted unanimously to approve Georgia Power’s proposal to add 10 gigawatts of energy, most of it made with natural gas. Earlier this year, advocates pushed the commission to reconsider some of the new energy, arguing that the plan would generate more electricity than the utility’s own forecast calls for. The commission, they argued, overstepped its legal authority. The new Democratic commissioners voted to reopen the issue, but the effort failed — with all three Republicans voting against it. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Georgia’s PSC elections have become a referendum on energy prices on May 21, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Emily Jones.
Civic engagement duo Soft Power Vote (Melissa Sáenz Gordon and Molly Salas) on connecting with community
Can you both tell me a little more about your backgrounds and what led you to decide to collaborate on a project?
Can you both tell me a little more about your backgrounds and what led you to decide to collaborate on a project? Melissa: My background is pretty diverse and non-linear. I have a background in social media, storytelling, and editorial work, as well as restaurant work. And my organizing background was shaped by growing up in San Francisco, a city that was pretty seasoned in community organizing, information sharing, and skill-building. So when I first started voting, I would get information from various sources, from talking to my parents, but also going to coffee shops in college and seeing ephemeral printed matter that would share information about the ballot. I started organizing little get-togethers in San Francisco with my friends to go over what was on the ballot and whatnot. When I came to New York in 2017, I noticed that New York didn’t have as much independent information. So in 2019, I pitched the Soft Power Vote idea to a couple of friends of mine, and we launched it, and Molly joined within the first year. Molly: I’m a music supervisor, so my first job was in television, and then I was at MTV, but it didn’t have music anymore. I grew up in San Diego, a border and military town, which has all of these politics that California doesn’t share, or it is also kind of in between these two cultures, which is why it’s not my place. In 2020, I was working as a music supervisor in a big, scary tech company and hated it. And Soft Power Vote was something that a friend had recommended, who was doing some jail support during the early part of the pandemic. And I was like, where do you go for the judges? Who do you trust? I quit my job and really wanted an outlet to help. Luckily, Soft Power Vote blended the creative industry that I work in and my political wonky nerdiness, and here we are. Molly, is there a place, a person, or a moment that tends to spark your best ideas? Molly: It’s less a particular place than it is a setting. Over the years, I’ve figured out particular playlists or vibes that help me accomplish different tasks. There’s one that helps me get in the zone for projects that are really creative writing involved, others for more rote data entry, lots of music that is best for deep diving research. It’s a little like music supervising my own creativity, but now that it’s been a practice of mine for years, it helps me focus and dedicate time to things that are important to me. Settling in with a playlist, a coffee or something, and a cozy place to sit is the first step to feeling really grounded before diving in. Melissa, as you mentioned, you grew up in San Francisco, a city known for social movements and a vibrant artistic community. How important do you think it is to have mentors or role models to develop your creative discipline or to get into making art? Melissa: Growing up in San Francisco definitely shaped me as a person and my creative practice with Soft Power Vote. The reality is that I’ve had a community of mentors, with friends and peers proving to be my most vital collaborators. I’m someone who needs to workshop ideas, methods, and discuss the world around us—this simply cannot be done alone. Right now, the fabric of the San Francisco arts community is being challenged, with recent closures of major art schools like the San Francisco Art Institute (founded in 1871) and the California College of the Arts (founded in 1907, FKA California College of Arts & Crafts), but folks are already organizing around it, because the opportunity is there and so is the creative spirit and will—it’s inspiring to witness. I’ve found NYC to be a super collaborative city, but it’s also easy to feel overwhelmed, [either] with opportunity or simply distracted by the amount of fun things to do, so it’s important to have grounding moments to pause and connect with people one-on-one, in-person, and talk about projects, life, and more. Mentors and role models are pretty core to a creative person’s artistic expression, nurturing ideas that may lead to projects or movements, but they may not be who you expect, so stay open-minded about that. When launching a project, there’s the creative idea, but also the strategy: how it will land, how it’s planned, and how it’s tested. Before you launched Soft Power Vote, how much did you think through those elements? Melissa: It’s a little bit of both. The project is about five years old now, so at this point we’ve seen what works and what we realistically have the bandwidth for. That’s always the balance with this project. It’s a passion for both Molly and me, so it’s hard not to want to invest everything in it–but it can also take over your time. In the nascent years and months of building, the project was also just a totally different cultural moment. I was unemployed and just had so much time on our hands, and that was also what really informed the nature and the structure of it. From the beginning, we were intentional about it being digital-first. We cared a lot about the aesthetics, something catchy and shareable that people would want to circulate online. There was definitely experimentation in the launch: testing what worked, figuring out our voice, and seeing how people responded. Molly: A big part of our strategy was making our research publicly accessible. We wanted to empower people to seek out the information themselves and to demystify politics. For us, that connection between politics and the cultural community is systemic and fundamental. Melissa: And also on a practical level, launching was scrappy. You come up with the idea, pitch it to friends, secure the Instagram handle, make an email account, and start talking to your community. A lot of it was grassroots–making sure the people who needed the information were actually getting it. On a higher level, a big mission of the project is to show how politics and being engaged in this subject matter aren’t just for a certain type of person. It’s so easy to just be like, that’s not my thing, or, I’m not interested in it. I wanted to create a project that made it easier for us to connect those dots. Some social media platforms are prioritizing a certain kind of content. Since a lot of your work is published online, is there anything that you’ve learned about protecting your work in a digital space, for example, archiving content, or anything else that has been helpful? Melissa: I don’t think we necessarily do it intentionally, but in some cases and in some iterations of the project, we were creating a community folder where we would put all of our digital assets. These platforms force us to get creative with how we preserve and share content. As platforms can now read text, they’ll sensor and shadow ban posts that use certain language, so we’ve had to adapt, circling back to things like pager code to work around that. It also forces us to think about how our content lives and survives on these platforms. In terms of archiving, we want our resources to endure, not just as something people rely on, but as a starting point for their own research. Part of protecting the work is also making sure it points outward, beyond just our platforms. We’ve also learned that collaborating with other creators is very helpful to extend the life and reach of the content. Another thing that we have learned is that, rather than trying to do everything ourselves, we work with people who are already doing certain things really well, and we fill a different need. That’s been a helpful strategy for sustaining the project long-term. Lastly, it’s a little bit of learning the new updates and what is evolving. Also reminding us that you don’t have to chase trends all the time. We get to curate what we think makes the most useful and interesting, and we stay true to our mission. You both seem to juggle a lot of different activities and projects. How do you manage your time while also maintaining healthy boundaries? Molly: I got a new full-time job in September, and before that, I was a 1099 freelance music supervisor and had consistent work that felt good, but I had a lot of free time during the workday, so I would open my laptop and do work related to Soft Power Vote. I don’t have the luxury of that time in this new job now. I’m still adjusting. I’m figuring out how to set boundaries with my own time, but I also find this work to be really interesting, fun, and generative. But just sitting in my little container, making a big spreadsheet is really fun for me. This work usually brings me joy, but right now it’s bumming me out. And it can be really hard, especially for creative pursuits–in the world we live in, we’re expected to hustle or monetize it. That is part of how creative work is oriented around your own values. It’s hard to set aside the time, particularly when you’re often encouraged to earn income for the things that pay you money, especially if you’re struggling to live in a city as expensive as New York. Melissa: Just to build on that, I consider this my creative practice and my creative output in a lot of ways. And like any other practice, you have to choose to do it. That’s just something that is always in the back of my mind. And money is such an interesting thing to bring up with this, because, even though we’re doing it for free, we still invest in it, and it requires capital to keep going. That’s also why I love highlighting that artists are teachers, organizers, restaurant workers–people with full lives outside their creative practice. It was fun to have and create a project that really blended it all, because that’s kind of how we live our lives. Melissa, in 2020, you wrote an article in Hyperallergic called “We Need More Creatives in Politics.” What were your major findings from that article, and what has changed, or what are any new insights that you’ve had since you published it? Melissa: What we can see is that when artists run for office, they’re great leaders. Some of our most exciting new electeds are all people who have an arts and a creative background. For example, Jabari Brisport was an actor and a public school teacher. My main finding is that art is also something that, just like politics, if you don’t know a lot about it, it can feel very intimidating. Some people like it that way, and I don’t. There are lots of studies that show that art makes neighborhoods safer, it makes us more excited, and it makes our walk more enjoyable. It just makes life more enjoyable, and it helps us learn how to relate to each other. I grew up in San Francisco, and a lot of art spaces and venues are closing. And nightlife is a huge part of a healthy culture in society. And for us to be able to go out and see all this crazy stuff on the news and see just all the crazy stuff that’s happening in the world, to have spaces where we can decompress is also really important. I’m sure you have spent a lot of time working on something that did not work out. What advice would you give to creative people who invest a lot of time and effort into something, and they don’t achieve the result they expected? Melissa: Hope and joy are two of the most vital and powerful feelings. And we can see the kind of impact we would have if we all just show up. Much like Soft Power Vote, it’s just get out there and try something. There’ll be a lot of disappointment, but it’s more like, how can we turn that L into a win? Molly: For this project, I feel successful when a bunch of my peers feel more empowered to do the thing. It can be a bummer. There is so much fear of the undesired outcome that it often results in not trying. And I am grateful for the platform we created because, at the very minimum, it means that we’re always trying. We’re always trying to continue imagining the best New York City that we can. And for creatives more broadly. It can be disappointing when the outcome doesn’t work out the way that you expected it to. And often the work of trying or the effort might unlock some other things that you weren’t expecting. You both have worked on many creative projects involving organizing groups and producing events. In your experience, what do you think sparks engagement and excitement from audiences? Molly: Authenticity is really important. Audiences can see through trying to be sold to or cajoled into doing something. It’s true in politics, and it’s true in art. An authentic connection is a much more meaningful one, and builds trust, which then keeps those audiences engaged, than something that feels forced or trying too hard. It’s a big learning, too, to be able to follow your creative gut rather than try to fit into something prescriptive, branded, or following trends. The creator economy tends to lend itself to lots of folks copying each other, chasing viewers and followers, but it’s refreshing and captures attention when creative people try something new. Melissa: Timing is a big factor. You may want to coordinate an event or project launch to dovetail with a specific date or venue, but sometimes you just have to go for it. In the end, just getting it over the finish line is the most important element. What sparks engagement and excitement in people is simply the opportunity to gather around a topic or theme, so creating that opportunity and platform is the ultimate objective. Saw this line a decade ago (probably on a coffee cup or on Instagram), and it echoes in my mind when clouded with logistics: “Finished is better than perfect.” So just execute the thing and apply your learnings to the next one. Molly Salas recommends: Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052-2072 I’m working my way through this now, and it’s such an imaginative exploration of what we can do if we stop accepting the status quo, fight for the collectives, and completely subvert our understanding of society, commerce, and more. It’s daunting to imagine some of the steps in our future this alternative history describes, but being set against the backdrop of a future New York City makes it lofty and tangible at the same time. Sudan Archives - The BPM Saw her live recently, I don’t know what she puts in that violin but it keeps me coming BACK. The Word Is Change bookstore in Bed-Stuy. Support small businesses! Get off of Amazon! They have a great selection of new and used books, often with a leftist lean, and the events they host reflect their values and their politics. We love to see it. Take a ferry ride on NYC Ferry. One day it will be warm again in New York City, and the ferry is such a nice way to see the city, get to where you’re going, maybe have a beer in the sunshine on the roof deck. Whatever youth that runs their Instagram is also such a chaotic good. Laziza, also in Bed-Stuy, a vinyl listening bar and restaurant that is delicious, has great funk records curated with care, amazing staff, great vibes, no notes. Melissa Sáenz Gordon recommends: Love regional audio, so I’d be remiss not to suggest tuning into local FM radio wherever you are. In an age of AI-playlists, it’s so grounding to enjoy thoughtfully curated tracklists by a human, which often reflect a given area’s local culture and history. A couple of quick hits: In NYC, I listen to Brian Lehrer on WNYC in the mornings, Jazz on 88.3 WBGO, and 89.9 WKCR. Love 89.5 KPOO when I’m in the Bay Area. What I’m listening to right now, however, is Joe Bataan’s “I Wish You Love,” Parts 1 and 2. Take public transit to LaGuardia Airport (Slayguardia if you will). 1# log of organic butter from the farmer’s market (affordable luxury, you deserve it). “The Gift of Strawberries,” a chapter from the book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. A preview: “A species and a culture that treat the natural world with respect and reciprocity will surely pass on genes to ensuing generations with a higher frequency than the people who destroy it. The stories we choose to shape our behaviors have adaptive consequences.” (Page 30) It’s an election year! Double-check your voter registration and find your representatives at the link in bio @SoftPowerVote on Instagram (shameless plug). Remember: We the people hold the power! This content originally appeared on The Creative Independent and was authored by Miriam Garcia.
One Racist Christo-Fascist Homeland Under God
In retrospect, Sunday's taxpayer-funded blasphemy fest to "rededicate" America as a Christian nation though it's not and never was looks ever more obscene amidst an unholy regime's mounting crimes and abuses. Its sectarian shit-show - ICE milled, vend...
In retrospect, Sunday's taxpayer-funded blasphemy fest to "rededicate" America as a Christian nation though it's not and never was looks ever more obscene amidst an unholy regime's mounting crimes and abuses. Its sectarian shit-show - ICE milled, vendors urged "WIVES SUBMIT," zealots screeched "We welcome Jesus!", speakers attested God is eager for the ballroom - just queasily re-shaped a 250-year-old America into the kind of country it once sought freedom from. "Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving," a "constitutional abomination wrapped in layers of blasphemy and demagoguery," sought to proclaim America "One Nation Under God," but only a white male evangelical God; Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, commies, Jews, atheists, agnostics, black, brown, queer, Native people and even mainline Protestants need not apply. As such, it attacked what Jefferson deemed an unalienable right of conscience "which lies solely between Man & his God," defied the core constitutional tenet of separation of church and state, and "torpedoe(d) the best of American traditions - inclusivity and diversity" with, essentially, "a Jubilee of Christian Nationalism." Its state-sponsored, right-wing fever dream marked the successful MAGA hijacking of Congress’ bipartisan, 2016 America250 commission, meant to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and its core values of equality and agency before the law. Instead, Trump concocted his own Christo-fascist Freedom 250 to celebrate a racist, corporate, jingoistic narrative of America, rewriting history to create an imaginary, monolithic, jingoistic, white, male, Christian national identity that celebrates "God’s presence in our national life throughout 250 years of American history," and what is this inequality or oppression of which you speak? Freedom 250 swiftly collected most of the $150 million appropriated by Congress, along with support from patriotic sponsors like ExxonMobil, Mastercard, Palantir, Amazon, Coinbase. Year-long festivities have included a weekly America Prays initiative; a series of Interior Department events celebrating “the triumph of the American spirit” plastered with flags, logos, Trump National Park passes; a fleet of nationwide “Freedom Trucks,” mobile museums offering right-wing takes on US history created with PragerU; a national Freedom 250 Patriot Games - Hunger Games anyone? - competition for high school athletes; a revamped Great American Farmers Market in DC with a "MAHA Monday." On social media, meanwhile, DHS has begun declaring itself "One Homeland Under God," complete with image of church and cross and highlighted Bible verse; for April 19, it urged, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." The Washington Monument was transformed into “the world’s tallest birthday candle," with projections celebrating historic achievements by white men like Christopher Columbus and Henry Ford, with no black, Native, female people in sight. To re-enforce the white-centric narrative, organizers have also promised a Summer Surge of thousands more ICE and DHS thugs to make the nation still whiter. Sunday's Jubilee continued the rebrand of a newly pristine, godly history, with 14 of 15 speakers Christian, arched stained-glass windows and a looming white cross all "glorifying the name of Jesus over our nation’s capital." "Our nation more than any other was shaped by the idea that faith brought freedom," said Marco Rubio in a prerecorded speech. "This is who we are." Virginia pastor Gary Hamrick concurred, but added the imaginary threat of a "spiritual war," perhaps best personified by the scary scattered signs of protesters urging, “Celebrate Democracy, Not Theocracy.” "This is a battle in our day between good and evil," he said. "Our hope is built on Jesus' blood." Also, Jesus merch. As the faithful braved three-hour lines in the heat and prayed, arms lifted to the sky, vendors handed out "Jesus Saves" bracelets and buttons that said, “WIVES SUBMIT, HUSBANDS LOVE, CHILDREN OBEY.” There were "Thank you Jesus!" signs, a huge "Jesus Make America Godly Again" banner, $47 Freedom 250 baseball caps, t-shirts that read, "God Guns Family Freedom" and "Forever In Our Hearts, Charlie Kirk." "We welcome Jesus into this place!" declared one speaker. Another noted, "It's hard to believe it would take two centuries for the Lord to raise up a great man to bring that ballroom to stand where it needs to stand." (Jesus.) Pete Hegseth,on video, was typically unshy about praising Jesus. He dubiously zeroed in on The Prayer at Valley Forge, a 1975 painting by Arnold Friberg of George Washington praying in the snow widely deemed a romanticized legend, not fact. Historians argue Washington was a deist and freemason who rarely mentioned God or Jesus, whose favorite Biblical quote - "But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid" - symbolizes peace, safety, religious freedom, and who always prayed standing. Still, Hegseth ran with it: Washington "did not lose faith," and "let us pray as he did...without ceasing...on bended knee, for our Lord and savior Jesus Christ." Trump took an even more sketchy approach: He went golfing and sent in a slurry, pre-taped Bible reading recycled from the last fake Christian event three weeks ago. Then, moments after it aired, the self-described peace president went on a frenzied, genocidal social media spree, posting on his crappy app over 30 times in two hours. He threatened Iran: "The Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them." He posted bizarre, AI, warmongering images: Manning a spacecraft, firing away with massive explosions and mushroom clouds, personally arresting an alien, a real one. Say what? Praise Jesus. Still, spineless, smarmy, unholy Mike Johnson was the worst. Having already whined about "naysayers" who view Christian Nationalism as "a derogatory term," he gave a long hollow prayer about his task to "bring us straight to the Lord, whose mighty hand has been upon our (freest and most benevolent) nation since the very beginning." But now "sinister ideologies sow confusion among our people," attacking our history as "one of oppression and hypocrisy and failure." So "grant us the moral clarity to rise above partisan differences," says the guy who keeps shutting down Congress to block Dem policies. Finally, unconscionably, he prayed for “mercy upon our land.” Mercy. He seeks mercy. Mercy for the hundreds of people in the Congo and elsewhere dying of an Ebola outbreak after Trump gutted USAID and its dedicated outbreak response team because it helped people who aren't white, thus triggering what could be over 14 million preventable deaths by 2030? Mercy for those killed at San Diego's biggest mosque amidst a Trump-fuelled rising tide of Islamophobia? Mercy for those ripped off and betrayed by a $1.8 billion slush fund, or "pardon on steroids," from the most corrupt regime in history? Mercy for the estimated 145,000 U.S. citizen brown children who had a parent detained by ICE and are now scattered across the country, or the 22,000 who lost both parents? Mercy for the woman, a domestic violence victim, detained and deported whom ICE is now blaming for the murder of her own child by her ex-partner? Mercy for the 21-year-old Honduran with no criminal record just arrested and detained by ICE outside a New York immigration court less than 24 hours after a federal judge's ruling such arrests are illegal, because, as one ICE thug responded when shown the ruling, "We don't care"? Mercy for 18-year-old, Chicago-born, Mexico-raised Kevin González, being treated in Chicago for metastatic stage-four colon cancer when his health began failing? His parents in Mexico sought emergency visas to travel to the US to say their final goodbyes; when DHS denied them, citing “previous unlawful entries into the US," in desperation they tried to cross the border without permission and were detained by ICE in Arizona. Kevin pleaded in vain for their release; ultimately, he checked himself out of the hospital and flew to his grandmother's home in Mexico to be with family at the end. Finally, in Kevin's last hours, a judge in Arizona ordered their release. They arrived at his bedside on the afternoon of May 9. His sobbing mom called him, “Chiquito," "little one”; his father knelt by his son's bed, asking for forgiveness if he ever let him down. Kevin died the next day. Mercy? Does Mike Johnson want mercy for Kevin and his parents? Fuck Mike Johnson and all his cohort. Fuck their prayers, and their Jesus, and their cruelty, and their fucking despicable hypocrisy, which knows no bounds. What would Jesus do? Not this, any of it. This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Abby Zimet.
The conspiracy that wasn’t: How a fake investigation into India, Myanmar rebels and rare earths went around the world
This is the first of a three-part investigation into a coordinated influence operation targeting India’s efforts to secure rare earths from Myanmar’s Kachin region. It traces how a fabricated conspiracy... The post The conspiracy that wasn’t: How a fake investigation into India, Myanmar rebels and rare earths went around the world appeared first on Alt News.
This is the first of a three-part investigation into a coordinated influence operation targeting India’s efforts to secure rare earths from Myanmar’s Kachin region. It traces how a fabricated conspiracy story alleging secret roads, weapons transfers and a covert India-KIA partnership was manufactured, published across a network of pay-to-publish websites, and amplified on social media by accounts overwhelmingly originating in Pakistan. Subsequent parts examine the story’s claims against the evidence, and investigate who may be behind the campaign and why. This is Part One. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ On November 18, the website Tech Bullion ran a strange piece. Sandwiched between CEO profiles, marketing how-tos and product reviews, the “exclusive investigation” claimed that India was conspiring with the Kachin Independence Army in northern Myanmar to develop a corridor for transporting rare earths. It also alleged that India was supporting the KIA militarily to “systematically erode Myanmar’s sovereignty and resources.” An investigation conducted by Alt News in collaboration with freelance journalists Emily Fishbein and Jauman Naw found that the story’s publication and amplification were were part of a coordinated influence operation. This investigation also identified evidence of the operation extending beyond Myanmar and India. Initially published on five content-amplification websites, the story was then published on at least four websites and news outlets focusing on Myanmar and northeast India. It was further amplified through four rounds of coordinated social media posts on X and one round on Facebook, overwhelmingly by accounts that appear to have originated in Pakistan. Margot Fulde-Hardy, an investigator at the American social network intelligence platform Graphika, conducted research which contributed to these findings. Further research conducted by Fulde-Hardy also found that the online infrastructure used to distribute the KIA-India rare earth conspiracy story partially overlaps with that used by pro-China networks involved in an influence operation known as Spamouflage. Whether Spamouflage, or any government, was involved in the KIA-India rare earth conspiracy story’s publication could not be confirmed, but it is nonetheless significant in three key ways. First, it helps to identify the shared use of influence operation infrastructure by Spamouflage networks and social media accounts originating in Pakistan, which has not previously been reported. “The recruitment of Pakistani accounts to disseminate Spamouflage-linked content suggests a departure from Spamouflage’s current tactics that we tracked at Graphika,” said Fulde-Hardy. Second, the story touches on transnational geopolitical flashpoints. Myanmar is the world’s largest source of certain rare earth elements, with most mining sites concentrated in territory controlled by the KIA. China currently processes all rare earth mined in Myanmar; although India does not yet possess the capacity to compete with China in this regard, Reuters reported last year that India and the KIA had engaged in preliminary conversations about a potential rare earths cooperation. If carried out, such a cooperation would undercut China’s dominance over the industry. Both China and Pakistan are longtime rivals of India. India and China have openly backed the Myanmar military junta since its 2021 coup, while competing for influence in the country. The three hashtags used by Pakistani accounts when sharing the KIA-India conspiracy article on social media — #StopIndiaHegemony, #DefendMyanmarSovereignty, and #StopRareEarthExploitation — reflect this complexity. According to Angshuman Choudhury, a PhD candidate at the National University of Singapore and King’s College London who specialises in India-Myanmar relations and border politics, the KIA-India conspiracy story appears to represent a new convergence of particular interests in the disinformation space. “Every piece of disinfo is aimed at achieving something at the behest of someone. In this case too, it prima facie sought to destabilise India’s covert outreach to the KIA on the rare earth issue,” he said. “That the piece came out and was fairly widely circulated shows the high stakes nature of this outreach and its potential to reshape some part of the regional geopolitical landscape.” The story’s subject matter also reflects a rising trend in the global disinformation space. A recent study published in The Extractive Industries and Society, an academic journal, identified a rise in narrative warfare about critical minerals alongside an increase in global demand. Critical minerals is a term used to describe geostrategic metals; while the precise definition and list varies by country, rare earth elements are generally included. “Owing to their complexity, opacity, and geopolitical significance, critical minerals uniquely lend themselves to information manipulation,” said the study. In January of this year, Climate Information Watch, a youth-led nonprofit that researches disinformation related to climate change, proposed using the term “mineral disinformation” to capture this trend. The organization’s founder, Andjelija Kedzic, said in written comments for this article that the suppression of independent voices including journalists, activists and civil society globally was a key part of this strategy. “This systematic silencing primarily of the local voices points to a wider transnational effort to gain strategic discursive dominance and limit accountability and scrutiny in the global competition over critical minerals,” she said. She identified particular risk factors for Myanmar, where the jailing of journalists and other tactics have hindered independent access to data about the rare earth mining industry and contributed to a “climate of repression that directly shapes what information becomes visible or suppressed.” “Myanmar’s civil conflict has created an extremely dangerous, constrained, and volatile information environment,” she said. “Critical voices are consistently marginalized, which lays fertile ground for mineral disinformation to likely be perceived as relevant information.” The KIA-India rare earths conspiracy story plays into these vulnerabilities, using credible pieces of information as launch points for introducing claims that are both provocative and difficult to verify. According to Kedzic, it also uses established information warfare techniques in the critical minerals battleground. “This case utilizes a well-known tactic that is used within both climate and mineral disinformation, where the strategic production of content is designed for amplification across social media ecosystems,” she said. “Fabricated articles from false media outlets, often citing vague ‘investigations’ or unnamed ‘analysts,’ can easily be shared by bots, trolls, and genuine users on platforms such as Facebook or X.” <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-315279 " src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-40-610x1024.jpg" alt="" width="664" height="1115" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-40-610x1024.jpg 610w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-40-179x300.jpg 179w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-40-768x1289.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-40.jpg 894w" sizes="(max-width: 664px) 100vw, 664px" /> <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-315280 " src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-41-754x1024.jpg" alt="" width="662" height="899" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-41-754x1024.jpg 754w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-41-221x300.jpg 221w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-41-768x1043.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-41.jpg 1104w" sizes="(max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px" /> First Round of Publications The story appeared on five websites in November over a span of eight days; all of these websites offer content promotion, with a focus on finance, technology and entrepreneurship. <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-315281 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-42-1024x848.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="671" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-42-1024x848.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-42-300x248.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-42-768x636.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-42.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> Archived version of an article published on the website Tech Bullion on November 18, 2025. The article was removed from the website after the editors were contacted for this investigation on February 5, 2026. It was first published in Tech Bullion on November 18 with a byline for Zeeshan Yousaf. A link to his author bio leads to a LinkedIn profile for a Pakistan-based content writer specializing in search engine optimization and increasing website and application traffic. When contacted by e-mail, Zeeshan Yousaf replied, “Send me your WhatsApp number. I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”. He did not respond to questions about the India-KIA conspiracy piece. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315282 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-43-1024x800.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="633" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-43-1024x800.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-43-300x234.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-43-768x600.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-43.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> The LinkedIn profile of Zeeshan Yousaf. Screenshot captured on March 20, 2026. Tech Bullion claims to be a London-based financial technology news platform and a project of the Rich Media Network, a self-described digital media company that specializes in content publishing and marketing. OpenCorporates, a free online database of information collected from corporate records, lists Angela Scott-Briggs and Joachim Okechukwu Mba as Tech Bullion’s ultimate beneficial owners. Angela Scott-Briggs’ profile on the Tech Bullion website describes her as its editor. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315283 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-44-1024x416.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="329" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-44-1024x416.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-44-300x122.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-44-768x312.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-44.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> The Tech Bullion homepage. Screenshot captured on March 20, 2026 <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315284 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-45-1024x767.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="607" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-45-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-45-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-45-768x575.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-45.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> The “our services” page on the Rich Media Network website. Screenshot captured on March 21, 2026. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315285 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-46-1024x339.png" alt="" width="810" height="268" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-46-1024x339.png 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-46-300x99.png 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-46-768x254.png 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-46.png 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> Angela Scott-Briggs’ profile on the Tech Bullion website. Screenshot captured on March 24, 2026 A list of questions sent to Angela Scott-Briggs and Tech Bullion’s general email initially elicited what appeared to be an auto-response signed by Scott-Briggs, explaining the terms, conditions and rates for publishing paid content. Two minutes later, Scott-Briggs replied, “The said post has now been deleted” — an apparent reference to the article in question, which was scrubbed from the Tech Bullion website. Scott-Briggs did not reply to further emailed questions. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315286 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-47-1024x948.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="750" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-47-1024x948.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-47-300x278.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-47-768x711.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-47.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> An auto-response from Tech Bullion in response to questions about its publication of an inauthentic article alleging a conspiracy between India and the Kachin Independence Army to access Myanmar’s rare earths. On November 19, a day after the story’s initial publication, it was republished on the website Digital Journal, with attribution to Binary News Network. This version ends with a disclaimer that the article includes information provided by an independent third-party content provider, and notes that readers can email Binary News Network if they would like to request the article’s removal. Digital Journal claims to be a Canada-based online platform operating under the Binary News Network, a content syndication network for PR wires. Binary News Network did not reply to an emailed list of questions, but the article was removed from the Digital Journal website hours after the email was sent. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315287 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-48-1024x727.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="575" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-48-1024x727.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-48-300x213.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-48-768x545.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-48.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> An archived version of the article published on the website Digital Journal on November 19, 2025. The article was removed from the website after the editors were contacted for this investigation on February 5, 2026. On November 20, the article was republished on Daily Silicon Valley, a website that presents itself as a magazine for entrepreneurs. Its contact page provides an email for a Sunita Pariyar. She did not reply to an emailed list of questions. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315288 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-49-1024x969.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="766" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-49-1024x969.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-49-300x284.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-49-768x727.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-49.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> A version of the article posted on the website Silicon Valley Daily. Screenshot captured on March 24, 2026. The website Silicon Valley Times ran a new version of the story on November 24, with similar content, but different wording and quotes. Although this is the fourth site on which the story was published, it is referenced by other outlets during a second wave of publication in December. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315289 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-50-1024x771.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="610" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-50-1024x771.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-50-300x226.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-50-768x578.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-50.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> A version of the article published on the website Silicon Valley Times. Screenshot captured on March 20, 2026. A technical audit of Silicon Valley Times’ digital footprint using a Google analytics tracking tag uncovers its shared Google account usage history with Think7Figures. This finding indicates that Silicon Valley Times and Think7Figures are managed under the same Google account. Research on LinkedIn identified the founder of Think7Figures as a Nepali national named Sujan Pariyar. Further tracking using Google analytics shows that he runs at least three active websites of a similar style. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315290 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-51-1024x339.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="268" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-51-1024x339.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-51-300x99.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-51-768x254.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-51.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> Profile of Sujan Pariyar on the Silicon Valley Times website. Screenshot captured March 21, 2026. An analysis of Sujan Pariyar’s public Instagram posts shows that he has a sister who goes alternately by Sumitra and Usha. Photos on her Instagram profile match a Quora profile for a Sunita Pariyar, indicating she is the same person as the listed contact for Daily Silicon Valley. This is further confirmed by her LinkedIn profile, which shows that she identifies as working in “content marketing” and posts content from Daily Silicon Valley as well as Think7Figures. The connection between Sujan and Sumitra Pariyar indicates that two publishers of the KIA-India conspiracy story, Daily Silicon Valley and Silicon Valley Times, could be nodes in a family-run operation, possibly designed to amplify content. Questions emailed to the editors of the Silicon Valley Times did not elicit a response. Further research conducted by Fulde-Hardy of Graphika found that the websites Daily Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley Times, Think7Figures and another site called The Los Angelers are hosted on the same infrastructure, suggesting these domains are part of the same network. Fulde-Hardy also found that Vefogix, a self-described “AI-powered link building and guest post marketplace,” advertised “guest post” content placement on siliconvalleytime.com for $92.00. This investigation could not determine whether the KIA-India conspiracy story was published with assistance from Vefogix or any other third-party site. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315291 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-52-1024x433.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="343" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-52-1024x433.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-52-300x127.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-52-768x325.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-52.jpg 1500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> An advertisement on the website Vefogix to publish content on siliconvalleytime.com for a fee of $92. Screenshot captured March 27, 2026. The website Big News Network published a similar version of the story on November 26. Big News Network claims to be a “specialist online news service” incorporated in the United Arab Emirates, with offices in Australia. A report published in 2020 by the EU Disinfo Lab, an independent nonprofit, found that Big News Network previously distributed inauthentic content related to India across hundreds of smaller sites, in what appeared to be an effort to improve the articles’ search engine indexation. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315292 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-53-817x1024.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="1015" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-53-817x1024.jpg 817w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-53-239x300.jpg 239w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-53-768x962.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Untitled-design-53.jpg 1197w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> An archived version of an article published on the website Big News Network on November 26, 2025. The article was removed from the website after Big News Network was contacted for this article on February 5, 2026. Big News Network credits authorship of the KIA-India conspiracy article to BusinesNews Wire, a website which specializes in press releases and search engine optimization. It is registered in Glasgow, with Uzair Hassan, a Pakistani national, listed as the director and beneficial owner. Uzair Hassan, who also goes by Uzair Hassan Butt, is also the CEO of Big News Network, and is listed as an author on the Tech Bullion website, where his profile describes him as a “professional business expert and SEO blogger” working in PR distribution with more than 500 media websites and blogs. Uzair Hasan’s connection to both Tech Bullion and Big News Network indicates another possible attempt to amplify content and thereby increase search engine optimization. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315293 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-12-132901-885x1024.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="937" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-12-132901-885x1024.jpg 885w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-12-132901-259x300.jpg 259w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-12-132901-768x889.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-12-132901.jpg 1246w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> Profiles for Uzair Hassan Butt, also known as Uzair Hasan, on the websites for BusinesNews Wire and Tech Bullion. Screenshots captured March 24, 2026. A list of questions sent to the general contact email for BusinesNews Wire elicited a response from Uzair Hasan. He wrote that the KIA-India conspiracy article was a “third party guest post story” provided by a freelancer. He also said that it was “paid by a platform called Fiver” — an apparent reference to fiverr.com, an online marketplace connecting freelancers to people or businesses looking for services. He did not reply to further questions; the article was subsequently deleted from the Big News Network website. It is not the first time that Fiverr has been linked to the distribution of inauthentic content by pro-Pakistan networks. A 2021 investigation by the nonprofit news organization Coda Story found that a network of inauthentic social media accounts posing as news outlets had hired freelancers using Fiverr to spread propaganda favorable to Pakistani interests. The report built on research by Graphika showing connections between these accounts and a digital marketing firm based in Pakistan. Coming in Part Two: The conspiracy story’s claims — secret roads, weapons transfers, pledges to suppress Indian insurgents — are examined against what investigators actually found. We also trace how the story jumped from fringe content sites to established newsrooms in Myanmar and Northeast India, and why none of those outlets sought comment from the two parties named in the allegations before publishing. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Emily Fishbein is a freelance journalist and fellow with the Pulitzer Center’s Rainforest Investigations Network. Jauman Naw is a freelance journalist from Myanmar. The post The conspiracy that wasn’t: How a fake investigation into India, Myanmar rebels and rare earths went around the world appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Abhishek Kumar.
Matthew Wale Wins Solomon Islands PM Vote: What It Means
Nauru orders public servants, govt bodies to follow ‘One China’ policy
RNZ Pacific Nauru’s government has issued a directive to all public servants and employees of state-owned enterprises in-country and abroad to adhere to the “One China” policy. The Cabinet directive comes as the Micronesian island nation marks its 58th constitution Day this week. In January 2024, Nauru became the first nation to switch diplomatic recognition
RNZ Pacific Nauru’s government has issued a directive to all public servants and employees of state-owned enterprises in-country and abroad to adhere to the “One China” policy. The Cabinet directive comes as the Micronesian island nation marks its 58th constitution Day this week. In January 2024, Nauru became the first nation to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China just two days after Lai Ching-te was elected president. READ MORE: Other ‘One China’ reports Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry at the time accused China of “offering economic assistance as incentive to persuade” Nauru terminate diplomatic relations with Taipei. However, since then Nauruan officials have described the relationship with Beijing as reaching “new heights” and “manifesting into concrete tangible actions” for the two countries. “Following Cabinet decision on 15 May 2026, all personnel representing the Government and State-owned Enterprises of the Republic of Nauru in-country and abroad are further directed by Cabinet to observe the One-China Principle,” the government said in a statement on Wednesday. It added officials must “ensure consistency in the use of terminology and references in official conduct, communications, engagements, and administrative practices across all government departments, instrumentalities, statutory authorities, state-owned enterprise, government-controlled enterprise, agencies, and affiliated bodies”. It further advised officials to “avoid using terminology, symbols, flags, emblems, or representations which are inconsistent with the One China Principle”. “All official communication relating to the Taiwan Province of China must comply with the diplomatic position of the Government of Nauru. “Officials must not enter into official relations and arrangements with the Taiwan Province authorities or participate in programs funded by the Taiwan Province.” Taiwan no longer has a diplomatic presence in Nauru after the island nation switched its allegiance to Beijing. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
The US indicted Raul Castro for deterring CIA-backed terrorists
Satellite imagery shows new North Korea-Russia bridge nearing completion
Experts say the rush to open the bridge indicates Kim Jong Un’s enthusiasm for cooperation with Moscow.
Satellite imagery has revealed that North Korea and Russia are scrambling to complete a new high-capacity road bridge across their Tumen River border, and experts told Radio Free Asia that the fervor for completing the project quickly is a sign of increased cooperation and warm relations between Pyongyang and Moscow. Until now, the only bridge connecting the two countries has been the Bridge of Friendship, a much smaller rail-only bridge that was built in 1959 and had been intended to be a temporary measure until a permanent bridge could be built. That never happened, until now. According to satellite imagery, North Korea and Russia are rushing to complete final construction work of customs facilities, roads, and checkpoints linked to the Tumen River Bridge. (RFA) The new bridge, set to open next month, will be capable of handling up to 300 vehicles, and transporting 2,850 people across the border per day, according to Russia’s Ministry of Transport. It spans about a kilometer (3,280 feet) long and will connect the North Korean city of Rason, with the Russian town of Khasan. “It appears both sides are pushing hard to complete the final construction in time for the official opening scheduled for this summer,” Bruce Songhak Chung, a senior researcher at the Seoul-based Korea Institute for Security Strategy, told RFA. “The project is showing approximately 80% to 90% completion ahead of the official opening.” Satellite images from March 10, April 22, and May 16, show the progression of construction on a customs building on the North Korean side. Roofing work is now finished, and ground leveling and paving around the building have progressed significantly, Chung said. Paving work on access roads linking the customs facility is also in its final stages, he said. Construction of the North Korean customs building, roof structures, and surrounding access roads appears to have been completed or is in its final stages. (RFA) On the Russian side, construction of a large-scale customs complex has advanced rapidly. Satellite images from February and April show that building construction with concrete work, access road paving, and site clearing had all moved forward considerably. A small checkpoint building to inspect vehicles before the bridge is also under construction. June grand opening North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to build the new bridge at a summit in Pyongyang in June 2024. Since then both governments have held events to commemorate its progress. A groundbreaking ceremony occurred in April 2025, and on April 21 this year, delegations from both countries virtually participated in a bridge connection ceremony. The Russian customs complex is still under construction. Significant progress was made between March and April 2026 and remains actively underway. (RFA) On the same day as the connection ceremony, the Russian Embassy in Pyongyang announced that the bridge would be completed on June 19 — six months ahead of its original completion date. Experts suggest the year-round road crossing will further develop trade, economic, and people-to-people ties between the Russian Far East and North Korea. Moscow and Pyongyang rapidly increased trade and cooperation following Russia’s isolation from the international community following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, the two countries have ramped up trade and cooperation, with North Korea even sending weapons and soldiers to fight on the Russian side. Military and economic cooperation will only improve once the new bridge is completed, Joung Eunlee, the director of the Seoul-based Korea Institute for National Unification, told RFA. “Road transport can move larger volumes of freight more quickly than rail and allow more people to travel, so bilateral trade is expected to grow once the bridge opens,” she said. North Korea could also use the bridge to more aggressively deploy overseas workers to Russia, Kang Dong Wan, a professor of political science at Dong-A University in Busan, South Korea, told RFA. The cash-strapped North Korean government routinely skirts sanctions by sending legions of workers overseas to earn foreign wages, then confiscates most of it. The new bridge would further erode the effectiveness of sanctions, experts warned. Tumen Bridge vs. Yalu Bridge (A barometer of relations) The rapid progress on the Tumen River Bridge stands in sharp contrast to the New Yalu River Bridge between North Korea and China, which was structurally completed in 2014, but has not yet opened because completion of infrastructure on the North Korean side has stalled. It was built as a symbol of North Korea-China economic cooperation, with China providing active investment. <img src="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/EMWHWYUSDJEYDBX5VU2BPB33WM.png?auth=d783038681e036b5d4073ece7df7ab15ea2ef50afdf986f496799117a05ee693&smart=true&width=1500" alt="The New Yalu River Bridge between North Korea and China has remained unopened for 12 years. Construction of the North Korean customs facilities has yet to be finished, and it remains unclear when the bridge will officially open." height="2000" width="1500"/> The New Yalu River Bridge between North Korea and China has remained unopened for 12 years. Construction of the North Korean customs facilities has yet to be finished, and it remains unclear when the bridge will officially open. (RFA) Recent satellite imagery of that bridge shows construction of customs facilities in North Korea have made considerable progress, but some areas still have empty lots and construction materials, Chung said. Analysts say the diverging fates of the two bridges reflect Kim Jong Un’s strategic tilt toward Moscow over Beijing. North Korea has been less than enthusiastic about opening the New Yalu River Bridge because it fears increased Chinese interference and influence, Andrei Lankov, a Russia-born North Korea expert and professor at Kookmin University in Seoul, previously told RFA. Kim Jong Un has blocked the completion of that bridge to stop Chinese-style reform from flowing in and destabilizing the existing power structures in North Korea, Ri Jong Ho, a former senior North Korean official, who defected to South Korea in 2014 and currently lives in Virginia, told RFA. <img src="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/7QZ57NOTW5CO7OQAO4MOY2H6SA.png?auth=a9453c9af96068c43442bb5376af10422750bc4fcf8b87b53574a33b708eaddc&smart=true&width=1500" alt="North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their visit to Beijing to attend China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025." height="2000" width="1500"/> North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their visit to Beijing to attend China's commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2025. (KCNA via Reuters) “The New Yalu River Bridge has become a barometer of North Korea-China relations. It could open within months depending on Kim Jong Un’s decision — or it could take another decade, or remain closed beyond the Kim Jong Un era,” Ri said. The rapid push to complete the Tumen River road bridge reflects Kim’s judgment that cooperation with Russia is far safer and more advantageous than with China, Ri said. Edited by Eugene Whong. This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by Noh Jung Min for RFA.
Peters condemns Israeli minister over flotilla video as 3 Kiwis detained
By Niva Chittock, RNZ WorldWatch presenter/producer New Zealand has joined international condemnation of Israel’s far-right national security minister, even summoning the Israeli ambassador to convey that message. A video posted by Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing him taunting detained flotilla activists, drew international condemnation on Thursday. The video showed kneeling activists, with their
By Niva Chittock, RNZ WorldWatch presenter/producer New Zealand has joined international condemnation of Israel’s far-right national security minister, even summoning the Israeli ambassador to convey that message. A video posted by Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, showing him taunting detained flotilla activists, drew international condemnation on Thursday. The video showed kneeling activists, with their hands zip-tied, while Ben-Gvir shouted “they came as big heroes, see how they look now… not heroes, nothing, terror supporters”. The video released by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir READ MORE: Peace Action demands NZ summon Israeli ambassador over brutal action against activists Several nations summon Israeli envoys as Ben-Gvir taunts flotilla activists 87+ Gaza aid flotilla activists abducted by Israel now on hunger strike Family pleas for kidnapped 3 Kiwis as Gaza flotilla demands global activists’ freedom from Israel Other Gaza flotilla reports Ben-Gvir also said he had told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “give them to me for more much time, give them to us for the terrorist prisons, this is how it should look”. He posted the video with the caption “welcome to Israel”. In a statement on X, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand condemned Ben-Gvir’s behaviour. “Last year, New Zealand placed a travel ban on Minister Ben-Gvir for severely and deliberately undermining peace and security and removing prospects for a two state solution. Further vindication His latest conduct with respect to the Gaza flotilla, which has been seriously criticised by his own Prime Minister, is further vindication of that position. Peters said ministry officials had been instructed to call in the Israeli Ambassador on Thursday to directly pass the government’s grave concerns. New Zealand condemns the behaviour of Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Last year, New Zealand placed a travel ban on Minister Ben-Gvir for severely and deliberately undermining peace and security and removing prospects for a two state solution. His latest conduct with… — Winston Peters (@NewZealandMFA) May 20, 2026 <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128207" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-shorts-680wide.png" alt="Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir gloating in the Gaza flotilla detainees video" width="680" height="502" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-shorts-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-shorts-680wide-300x221.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-shorts-680wide-80x60.png 80w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-shorts-680wide-569x420.png 569w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Israeli navy officers point their guns at the crew of a Global Sumud Flotilla boat before boarding this week. Image: AJ screenshot APR “We expect Israel to adhere to its international legal obligations, including in its treatment of New Zealanders participating in the flotilla.” The US, the UK, France, Italy and Canada were among the countries which expressed alarm at the video, which Ben-Gvir shared on social media. A global pro-Palestinian humanitarian aid movement said three New Zealanders were detained by Israel after their boats were intercepted while taking part in a flotilla to Gaza. The Global Sumud Flotilla had repeatedly tried to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Palestinian territory. In a statement, the group said New Zealanders Mousa Taher, Hāhona Ormsby and Julien Blondel were now in Israeli custody. It said Mousa and Julien had returned to the flotilla after an earlier interception. MFAT comment RNZ approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) for comment. In a previous statement provided to RNZ earlier this month, MFAT said it understood up to six New Zealanders had been caught up in the interception and it was aware of allegations made about the treatment of New Zealanders in custody. Consular officials in New Zealand and Europe had been working to get information and support the New Zealanders involved, it said. “The New Zealand government made it clear to Israel that the safety of New Zealanders involved was paramount and that international law must be upheld,” the previous statement said. New Zealand had a long-standing “do not travel” advisory in place for Gaza, explicitly warning against any attempt to enter by sea, MFAT said. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. Pacific Media Watch reports that 428 Gaza flotilla humanitarian activists from 40 countries were abducted from more than 50 boats in the Israeli operation this week, according to organisers. The boats were carrying humanitarian aid in a bid to break the illegal blockade of Gaza. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
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Israel bombed this hospital, called it a ‘terror HQ’
Peace Action demands NZ summon Israeli ambassador over brutal action against activists
Asia Pacific Report New Zealand needs to summon Israeli ambassador to protest over the illegal and brutal treatment of Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian aid activists — including three New Zealanders — kidnapped in international waters this week. Peace activists are demanding this in the response to Israel ambassadors being summoned by several host governments over
Asia Pacific Report New Zealand needs to summon Israeli ambassador to protest over the illegal and brutal treatment of Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian aid activists — including three New Zealanders — kidnapped in international waters this week. Peace activists are demanding this in the response to Israel ambassadors being summoned by several host governments over the “degrading” treatment. Media footage broadcast by Al Jazeera and other media show Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting activists in Israeli custody, including the three New Zealanders — Mousa Taher, Julien Blondel and Hāhona Jason Ormsby. READ MORE: Several nations summon Israeli envoys as Ben-Gvir taunts flotilla activists 87+ Gaza aid flotilla activists abducted by Israel now on hunger strike Family pleas for kidnapped 3 Kiwis as Gaza flotilla demands global activists’ freedom from Israel Other Gaza flotilla reports The latest protest came from the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, who condemned a video showing Ben-Gvir abusing activists as they were forced to kneel on the floor with their hands tied behind their backs. Kallas described the treatment of the abducted activists as “degrading and wrong” and said rightwing minister Ben-Gvir’s conduct was “unbecoming of anyone holding office in a democracy”. Several countries — including Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Canada — have summoned the Israeli ambassadors to their capitals to express “indignation” over Israel’s treatment of the Gaza flotilla activists. Other countries condemning the incident include South Korea, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Greece, Germany, Poland, Qatar, Slovenia, Turkiye, Austria, Belgium, Colombia and the United Kingdom. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128189" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-mistreatment-AJ-680wide.png" alt="Mistreatment of activists revealed on the video released by Israeli Security Minister Ben-Gvir" width="680" height="504" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-mistreatment-AJ-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-mistreatment-AJ-680wide-300x222.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-mistreatment-AJ-680wide-80x60.png 80w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-mistreatment-AJ-680wide-567x420.png 567w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Mistreatment of activists revealed on the video released by Israeli Security Minister Ben-Gvir. Image: AJ screenshot APR Ben-Gvir’s actions ‘unacceptable’ French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot denounced Ben-Gvir’s actions as “unacceptable”, calling for the release of French citizens “as soon as possible”. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand called the incident “deeply troubling”, adding that Ottawa would summon the Israeli ambassador over the incident. “The world is finally moving after seeing the cowardice and the violence of the Zionist regime against our non-violent solidarity humanitarian mission,” a flotilla organiser, Brazilian Thiago Ávila, posted on X. “But the key problem is that this level of unacceptable violence is still nothing compared to what they do to Palestinians every day.” All 428 activists from 40 countries were part of the peaceful flotilla of more than 50 boats taking humanitarian aid to Gaza in a bid to break Israel’s illegal blockade. “We call on the Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, to summon the Israeli Ambassador,” said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington. “He needs to stand up for these New Zealanders who are being detained illegally and tortured by the Israeli military. “The video footage shows the activists held in stress positions while Ben-Gvir parades around shouting at them. <img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128191" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide.png" alt="Flotilla activists being humiliated on board an Israeli prison ship after being kidnapped in international waters" width="680" height="507" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide-300x224.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide-80x60.png 80w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide-265x198.png 265w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Flotilla-activists-AJ-680wide-563x420.png 563w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Flotilla activists being humiliated on board an Israeli prison ship after being kidnapped in international waters. Image: AJ screenshot APR ‘Peters ignored responsibilities’ “Thus far, he has completely ignored his responsibilities as Foreign Minister. We have not heard a word of condemnation for Israel’s blatant kidnapping of ordinary people peacefully sailing in the Mediterranean Sea,” Morse said. “Peters is greenlighting more Israeli impunity by failing to take action for New Zealanders in extremely vulnerable positions. “He must demand the immediate release of these New Zealanders without delay and without harm.” The world is finally moving after seeing the cowardice & the violence of the Zionist regime against our non-violent solidarity humanitarian mission. But the key problem is that this level of unacceptable violence is still nothing compared to what they do to Palestinians every day pic.twitter.com/8Z7mgJa5uc — Thiago Ávila (@thiagoavilabr) May 20, 2026 This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Corporate Sponsors Spend Millions Supporting “America First” Messaging
Corporations, including Mastercard, Deloitte, and ExxonMobil, are spending millions to sponsor Freedom 250, a Trump-led organization celebrating the country’s semiquincentennial with “America First” messaging. While the organization bills itself as non...
Corporations, including Mastercard, Deloitte, and ExxonMobil, are spending millions to sponsor Freedom 250, a Trump-led organization celebrating the country’s semiquincentennial with “America First” messaging. While the organization bills itself as nonpartisan, internal documents obtained by Judd Legum for his newsletter, Popular Information, reveal “the events will actually promote pro-Trump political… The post Corporate Sponsors Spend Millions Supporting “America First” Messaging appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
New Research Finds US Responsible for $10 Trillion in Climate Damage
New research published on March 25 by the scientific journal Nature has found that the United States has caused $10 trillion in climate damage since 1990, as reported by Oliver Milman for The Guardian. The Guardian reports that the US is the largest ca...
New research published on March 25 by the scientific journal Nature has found that the United States has caused $10 trillion in climate damage since 1990, as reported by Oliver Milman for The Guardian. The Guardian reports that the US is the largest carbon emitter in history, causing greater harm… The post New Research Finds US Responsible for $10 Trillion in Climate Damage appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Protect English Learners in Nation’s Schools
Multilingual education is not merely workforce preparation. It is about equal opportunity.
Multilingual education is not merely workforce preparation. It is about equal opportunity. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by John Pascarella.
A new rule change will allow the government to count having a place to sleep as income, and deduct it from SSI payments.
A new rule change will allow the government to count having a place to sleep as income, and deduct it from SSI payments. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Mike Ervin.
[Episode Cut] Unions Can Save US Democracy Experts Say
Censored Classrooms Shaping Student Learning
Despite ongoing pressure for academic freedom in recent years, political intervention in 2025 has increased threats to classroom autonomy across the United States. In a February 2026 article for Exposed by CMD, Mari Hernandez reported that state legisl...
Despite ongoing pressure for academic freedom in recent years, political intervention in 2025 has increased threats to classroom autonomy across the United States. In a February 2026 article for Exposed by CMD, Mari Hernandez reported that state legislatures, federal agencies, and right-wing advocacy groups are reshaping what educators can teach,… The post Censored Classrooms Shaping Student Learning appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Under Trump’s Leadership, Airstrikes in Somalia Have Reached a Record-High
Under Trump’s Leadership, Airstrikes in Somalia Have Reached a Record-High US Africa Command (AFRICOM) carried out 124 bombings in 2025, and 58 so far in 2026. According to reporting by Dave DeCamp for antiwar.com on April 23, “If AFRICOM keeps up the ...
Under Trump’s Leadership, Airstrikes in Somalia Have Reached a Record-High US Africa Command (AFRICOM) carried out 124 bombings in 2025, and 58 so far in 2026. According to reporting by Dave DeCamp for antiwar.com on April 23, “If AFRICOM keeps up the current pace, it’s on track to break its… The post Under Trump’s Leadership, Airstrikes in Somalia Have Reached a Record-High appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Pharma Industry Abuses Patent System to Increase Profit, Reduce Competition
Pharmaceutical companies are abusing the patent system to maximize profits and stifle competition, according to a report summarized by Helen Santoro for The Lever on June 16, 2025. Research by the Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge (I-MAK...
Pharmaceutical companies are abusing the patent system to maximize profits and stifle competition, according to a report summarized by Helen Santoro for The Lever on June 16, 2025. Research by the Initiative for Medicines, Access & Knowledge (I-MAK) found that expensive medications for weight loss, diabetes, and blood thinning were… The post Pharma Industry Abuses Patent System to Increase Profit, Reduce Competition appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
LandBack Movement Advances Across Western US
Indigenous land returns across the United States over the past decade have addressed historical injustices and advanced climate justice. In a February 16, 2026, article for High Country News, Chad Bradley and Anna V. Smith discussed advances in the Lan...
Indigenous land returns across the United States over the past decade have addressed historical injustices and advanced climate justice. In a February 16, 2026, article for High Country News, Chad Bradley and Anna V. Smith discussed advances in the LandBack movement in the Western US, including the Yurok tribe regaining… The post LandBack Movement Advances Across Western US appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Virginia Prisoners Set Themselves on Fire to Escape Brutal Prison Conditions, State Probe Dismisses Their Claims
A series of self-immolation cases by Black incarcerated individuals led to retaliation by guards at Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison, but a 2026 state inspector general investigation dismissed accounts of brutal prison conditions and racial violence a...
A series of self-immolation cases by Black incarcerated individuals led to retaliation by guards at Virginia’s Red Onion State Prison, but a 2026 state inspector general investigation dismissed accounts of brutal prison conditions and racial violence as unsubstantiated, The Appeal reported in April 2025. Dozens of incarcerated individuals have experienced… The post Virginia Prisoners Set Themselves on Fire to Escape Brutal Prison Conditions, State Probe Dismisses Their Claims appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Israel rigs a race – Max on Judge Napolitano
‘Aiding and abetting genocide’: US sanctions peaceful Gaza Flotilla organizers
This story originally appeared in Common Dreams on May 19, 2026. It is shared here under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license. Palestine defenders decried Tuesday’s announcement by the Trump administration of US sanctions targeting four n...
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on February 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343627" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/aiding-and-abetting-genocide-us-sanctions-peaceful-gaza-flotilla-organizers/secretary-bessent-delivers-financial-stability-oversight-councils-annual-report" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"3.2","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"Canon EOS R1","caption":"WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on February 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Committee met to hear testimony on the Financial Stability Oversight Council\u2019s Annual Report to Congress. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1770286380","copyright":"2026 Getty Images","focal_length":"119","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.002","title":"Secretary Bessent Delivers Financial Stability Oversight Council's Annual Report","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Secretary Bessent Delivers Financial Stability Oversight Council&#8217;s Annual Report" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on February 05, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2260088782-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="600" height="150" data-attachment-id="268291" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/this-is-why-deregulation-is-deadly/cd_stacked_white_600" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" data-orig-size="600,150" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Common Dreams Logo" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=600%2C150&ssl=1" alt="Common Dreams Logo" class="wp-image-268291 size-full" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=300%2C75&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=370&ssl=1 370w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=400&ssl=1 400w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /> This story originally appeared in Common Dreams on May 19, 2026. It is shared here under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license. Palestine defenders decried Tuesday’s announcement by the Trump administration of US sanctions targeting four nonviolent campaigners involved in the recent humanitarian flotillas that tried to break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza. The US Department of the Treasury said in a statement that its Office of Foreign Assets Control “is taking action against four individuals associated with the pro-Hamas flotilla organized by the US-designated Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA) that is attempting to access Gaza in support of Hamas.” The sanctioned individuals are Saif Abu Keshek, a Palestinian with Spanish and Swedish citizenship and PCPA leader who helped organize and lead Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) missions; Jordan-based PCPA president Hisham Abdallah Sulayman Abu Mahfuz; Mohammed Khatib, who is based in Belgium and is the European coordinator for Samidoun, the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network; and Jaldia Abubakra Aueda, Samidoun’s coordinator in Madrid. This latest weaponization of US dominance over global banking and finance and tech monopolies in service of Israel follows the sanctions placed on four leading Palestinian human rights groups and 11 elected officials of the @IntlCrimCourt as well as Francesca Albanese — Maureen Murphy (@maureenclarem) May 19, 2026 “The pro-terror flotilla attempting to reach Gaza is a ludicrous attempt to undermine President [Donald] Trump’s successful progress toward lasting peace in the region,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement Tuesday. “Treasury will continue to sever Hamas’ global financial support networks, no matter where in the world they are.” There is no substantiated evidence that the Gaza flotillas are linked to Hamas. Meanwhile, United Nations experts, numerous national governments, human rights groups, and experts say Israel is perpetrating genocide, apartheid, colonization, occupation, and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians. Samidoun called the sanctions—which freeze any of the targets’ US assets and ban Americans from doing business with them—“the latest manifestation of the ongoing US genocidal war on the Palestinian people” and pointed to Israel’s ongoing violent interception and seizure of GSF vessels on the high seas off the coast of Gaza. “Today’s sanctions by the US come hand-in-hand with today’s Israeli piracy of the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Freedom Flotilla, and the abduction of hundreds of international activists at sea,” the group said in a statement. “All of these sanctions targeting Palestinian organizations, not only those targeting us, are aiding and abetting genocide.” Since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023, the Biden and Trump administrations have supported Israel with tens of billions of dollars worth of armed aid and diplomatic cover, including vetoes of numerous United Nations Security Council Gaza ceasefire resolutions. Total US financial support for Israel since it was founded in 1948—largely via the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian Arabs—is approaching $300 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars. Since returning to office, Trump has cracked down on pro-Palestinian activists, students, organizations, and foreign nationals. Critics—including advocacy groups, academics, and some judges—have condemned what they have called attacks on free speech, association, and academic freedom. The Trump administration has sanctioned International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan and other numerous other ICC jurists after the Hague-based tribunal issued warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The ICC also issued arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders who were killed by Israeli attacks. On Tuesday, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the ICC is also seeking his arrest, and that he would “fight back” by ordering the ethnic cleansing of hundreds of Palestinians from their homes in the illegally occupied West Bank. The US administration has also sanctioned independent UN Palestine expert Francesca Albanese and her family—a move that was temporarily blocked earlier this month by a federal judge who asserted that the Italian humanitarian “has done nothing more than speak.” “Every time Palestinians and their supporters organize internationally, Washington reaches for the terrorism label to shut them down,” Isabelle Hayslip, advocacy manager at Democracy for the Arab World Now, told Al Jazeera on Tuesday. “The net keeps widening. Palestinian diaspora communities now live under constant threat of designation for demanding their rights.” This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Brett Wilkins.
The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 20, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 20, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 20, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
Trump’s deal with DOJ could benefit his allies
Bolivian government charges labor leader with terrorism as police crack down on protests
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Riot police fire tear gas to demonstrators during a protest demanding the resignation of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, in La Paz, on May 18, 2026. Photo by AIZAR RALDES / AFP via Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343618" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/bolivian-government-charges-labor-leader-with-terrorism-as-police-crack-down-on-protests/bolivia-politics-protest" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"AFP via Getty Images","camera":"NIKON Z 9","caption":"Riot police fire tear gas to demonstrators during a protest demanding the resignation of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, in La Paz, on May 18, 2026. Bolivians have taken to the streets for the past two weeks, blocking roads into La Paz and disrupting deliveries of food, medicine and other goods to the seat of government, while demanding higher wages, economic relief and the resignation of centre-right President Rodrigo Paz amid a severe economic crisis. (Photo by AIZAR RALDES / AFP via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1779127662","copyright":"AFP or licensors","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"BOLIVIA-POLITICS-PROTEST","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="BOLIVIA-POLITICS-PROTEST" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Riot police fire tear gas to demonstrators during a protest demanding the resignation of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, in La Paz, on May 18, 2026. Photo by AIZAR RALDES / AFP via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> The leader of the country’s main labor federation said officials were responding to protesters who have marched hundreds of miles in recent days with “militarization and repression instead of listening to the people.”
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Riot police fire tear gas to demonstrators during a protest demanding the resignation of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, in La Paz, on May 18, 2026. Photo by AIZAR RALDES / AFP via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343618" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/bolivian-government-charges-labor-leader-with-terrorism-as-police-crack-down-on-protests/bolivia-politics-protest" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"AFP via Getty Images","camera":"NIKON Z 9","caption":"Riot police fire tear gas to demonstrators during a protest demanding the resignation of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, in La Paz, on May 18, 2026. Bolivians have taken to the streets for the past two weeks, blocking roads into La Paz and disrupting deliveries of food, medicine and other goods to the seat of government, while demanding higher wages, economic relief and the resignation of centre-right President Rodrigo Paz amid a severe economic crisis. (Photo by AIZAR RALDES / AFP via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1779127662","copyright":"AFP or licensors","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"BOLIVIA-POLITICS-PROTEST","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="BOLIVIA-POLITICS-PROTEST" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Riot police fire tear gas to demonstrators during a protest demanding the resignation of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, in La Paz, on May 18, 2026. Photo by AIZAR RALDES / AFP via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2276417770-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="600" height="150" data-attachment-id="268291" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/this-is-why-deregulation-is-deadly/cd_stacked_white_600" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" data-orig-size="600,150" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Common Dreams Logo" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=600%2C150&ssl=1" alt="Common Dreams Logo" class="wp-image-268291 size-full" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=300%2C75&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=370&ssl=1 370w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=400&ssl=1 400w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /> This story originally appeared in Common Dreams on May 19, 2026. It is shared here under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license. A leader of Bolivia’s main labor federation, the Bolivian Workers’ Union, said late Monday that the country’s public prosecutor is “trying to silence” mass protests that have included Indigenous communities, miners, peasants, and teachers in recent days, as the government issued arrest warrants for labor and grassroots organizers. TeleSUR reported that State Attorney General Roger Mariaca confirmed his office was charging Mario Argollo, executive secretary of the union, known in Spanish as Central Obrera Boliviana (COB), with public instigation to commit crimes and terrorism. “They will not subdue us in the struggle we have undertaken,” Argollo said in a statement. “They are trying to silence us as leaders with popular actions and criminal charges.” Drop Site News also reported that the public prosecutor issued an arrest order targeting Justino Apaza Callisaya, a leader of the Federation of Neighborhood Councils of La Paz (FEJUVE), “an influential grassroots organization tied to urban protest movements and labor mobilizations.” BREAKING: New documents purport to show arrest and detention orders issued by Bolivia’s Public Prosecutor’s Office in La Paz against protest leaders and labor organizers connected to recent nationwide strikes and road blockades. It says prosecutors are investigating several… https://t.co/9lVZV3IL1R — Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) May 19, 2026 The office is also reportedly investigating “several individuals” following COB’s declaration of a general strike on May 1. “The accused are being investigated for extremely serious offenses including: public incitement to commit crimes, criminal association, terrorism, financing terrorism, attacks on transportation security, [and] attacks on public services,” reported Drop Site. The mass mobilization has included dozens of road blockades across the country as the union and other groups have demanded the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz, whose administration ended a fuel subsidy amid an economic crisis; higher wages; and an end to privatization, including through Law 1720, which opponents say would allow the transfer of Indigenous and peasant land to corporations. Protesters have spent days marching from their communities to La Paz, where thousands were met by riot police armed with tear gas canisters on Monday. Protesters from Bolivia’s indigenous movements filled the streets of central La Paz on Monday, with demonstrations stretching across Plaza San Francisco, Plaza Murillo, the Casco Urbano Central, and near the Casa del Pueblo and national legislature. Photos obtained by Drop… pic.twitter.com/FaXpVu4K6o — Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) May 19, 2026 Al Jazeera reported that some protesters brandished “dynamite sticks and slingshots” as they arrived in the capital city. An unspecified number of protesters were injured Monday as the government deployed the police and the military to try to break the road blockades, Al Jazeera reported. TeleSUR said that at least four demonstrators were reportedly killed. About 90 arrests were made. The US State Department said Sunday that it supported Paz’s efforts to “restore order for the peace, security, and stability of the Bolivian people.” COB said the government was responding with “militarization and repression instead of listening to the people.” “History will remember who defended the citizenry and who turned their backs. No force should be above the people or their rights,” said COB. The arrest documents and government investigations, said Drop Site, showed that “the Bolivian government is escalating its response to the protests by describing parts of the strike movement not simply as civil unrest, but as potential terrorism and organized criminal activity.” A student leader at the Public University of El Alto told Drop Site, “No matter what the Paz government attempts to do, repress the protesters or sanction us as terrorists… we will continue to uphold the sovereignty and rights of our peoples.” A former Altiplano mayor and Aymara social leader was direct about the betrayal: "This government was clearly elected with a mandate from the social movements and from indigenous peoples — who have been stabbed in the back the minute they entered office. They have attempted to… pic.twitter.com/tS80WqG1Zi — Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) May 18, 2026 An Indigenous leader told the outlet that Paz’s government “was clearly elected with a mandate from the social movements and from indigenous peoples—who have been stabbed in the back the minute they entered office. They have attempted to use the state to go after the very forces that got them to power.” This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Julia Conley.
Journalist Yelis Ayaz arrested in Turkey for ‘spreading disinformation’
Istanbul, May 20, 2026—Turkish authorities must release journalist Yelis Ayaz without delay and stop punishing journalists for doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Ayaz, publisher and editor-in-chief for the local newspaper Aydınpost in the western province of Aydın, was arrested pending trial by a court on May 15 on suspicion of...
Istanbul, May 20, 2026—Turkish authorities must release journalist Yelis Ayaz without delay and stop punishing journalists for doing their jobs, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Ayaz, publisher and editor-in-chief for the local newspaper Aydınpost in the western province of Aydın, was arrested pending trial by a court on May 15 on suspicion of “publicly spreading disinformation” regarding reports on a politician’s son who was allegedly bringing weapons to school. A trial date will be set after the journalist is indicted. “Yelis Ayaz’s arrest was the latest unfortunate link in the lengthy chain of journalists imprisoned under the pretext of spreading disinformation in Turkey,” said Özgür Öğret, CPJ’s Turkey representative. “Authorities must immediately release Ayaz, who was simply doing her job and didn’t cause any panic among the population by her reporting, as the law dictates is required to prosecute.” Ayaz wrote a column on April 20 regarding the allegations, without mentioning whose son the student in question was. She was briefly detained afterwards but released after being questioned by a prosecutor, her lawyer said. Aydınpost published a story on May 14 reporting that the underage son of Seda Sarıbaş, a parliamentary deputy of Aydın for the leading Justice and Development Party (AKP), was bringing a knife and a gun to school. In another column by Ayaz, published after her arrest, she stood by her story and said that multiple parents from the school had filed complaints about the student. Sarıbaş said in a post on X on May 15 that she was targeted for “character assassination” by fake news, without mentioning Ayaz. Introduced in late 2022, the disinformation law dictates that anyone found guilty of publicly spreading false information in order to cause concern, fear, or panic will face a sentence of one to three years in prison. While supporters of the legislation at the time offered reassurances that the law would not be used against journalists, it has since become one of the most frequently used laws against the media. The Aydın chief public prosecutor’s office released a written statement on the day of Ayaz’s arrest arguing that the journalist’s reporting was untrue and that the complaints were about a toy gun brought to the school. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
How ICE Detention Centers and “Zombie Prisons” are a National Concern
Faced with a national shortage of detention space due to the increased imprisonment of immigrants by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency is reopening previously closed prisons. In an August 2025 report for The Marshall Project, Sha...
Faced with a national shortage of detention space due to the increased imprisonment of immigrants by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency is reopening previously closed prisons. In an August 2025 report for The Marshall Project, Shannon Heffernan documented the spike in reopenings, described the revived facilities as… The post How ICE Detention Centers and “Zombie Prisons” are a National Concern appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Ebola outbreak risk is high inside DR Congo but it’s no pandemic emergency: TedrosUN chief calls for Security Council reform during Japan visitUN launches $529 million plan for Afghan returnees
Ebola outbreak risk is high inside DR Congo but it’s no pandemic emergency: TedrosUN chief calls for Security Council reform during Japan visitUN launches $529 million plan for Afghan returnees This content originally appeared on UN News - Global perspective Human stories and was authored by Edouard De Bray.
Kim Kelly: Coal miners are dying, and Trump betrayed them
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt='Coal miners listen as President Donald J Trump speaks and signs executive orders about coal production during a "Unleashing American Energy Executive Order Signing Event" in the East Room at the White House on Tuesday, April 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images' data-attachment-id="343607" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/kim-kelly-coal-miners-are-dying-and-trump-betrayed-them/gettyimages-2209223651" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="GettyImages-2209223651" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Coal miners listen as President Donald J Trump speaks and signs executive orders about coal production during a “Unleashing American Energy Executive Order Signing Event” in the East Room at the White House on Tuesday, April 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> “We don't expect anything good to come out of the kind of people that Trump puts in charge of these agencies, or Trump himself, but it's like, what is the constituency for ‘Kill More Coal Miners’?”
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Coal miners listen as President Donald J Trump speaks and signs executive orders about coal production during a "Unleashing American Energy Executive Order Signing Event" in the East Room at the White House on Tuesday, April 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343607" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/kim-kelly-coal-miners-are-dying-and-trump-betrayed-them/gettyimages-2209223651" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="GettyImages-2209223651" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Coal miners listen as President Donald J Trump speaks and signs executive orders about coal production during a “Unleashing American Energy Executive Order Signing Event” in the East Room at the White House on Tuesday, April 08, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2209223651-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> Since the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump and his acolytes, right-wing media, and coal industry barons and lobbyists have obsessively painted the picture of Trump as a friend to coal miners and the so-called “undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal.” But as labor journalist Kim Kelly reports at In These Times, “the simpering ​’Trump digs coal’ image the administration seeks to project is vastly at odds with the actions it’s taken to limit miner protections, endanger their health, and exacerbate the black lung crisis consuming Central Appalachia.” In this episode of Working People, we speak with Kelly about the Trump administration’s latest betrayal of coal miners and their families and its underreported attack on the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission and abrupt, unprecedented firing of FMSHRC Commissioner Moshe Z. Marvit. Additional links/info: Kim Kelly website, X/Twitter page, TikTok, Bluesky page, and Instagram Kim Kelly, In These Times, “Trump’s latest target: Coal miners’ safety” Jordan Barab, Confined Space, “Friday night massacre at Mine Safety Review Commission” Kim Kelly, In These Times, “The Trump administration ramps up its war on coal miners” Kim Kelly, In These Times, “Trump to coal miners: Drop dead” Featured Music: Jules Taylor, Working People Theme Song Credits: Audio Post-Production: Jules Taylor Transcript The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible. Maximillian Alvarez: Alright. Welcome everyone to Working People, a podcast about the lives, jobs, dreams, and struggles of the working class today. Working People is a proud member of the Labor Radio Podcast Network and is brought to you in partnership with In These Times Magazine and the Real News Network. The show is produced by Jules Taylor and made possible by the support of listeners like you. My name is Maximillian Alvarez and today we’re talking about coal miners and workers in the coal mining industry and what the government is doing to help them or hurt them under President Trump. Mr. I love coal miners. It’s been a meme ever since the 2016 presidential election. Trump loves throwing on a coal miner’s helmet and lining up coal miners around him for the cameras. He loves talking about bringing coalback quote unquote. He loves talking about quote beautiful clean coal. Trump and right-wing media are so obsessed with cultivating this image of him as the coal miners champion and this so- called blue collar billionaire who really gets the working class. And obviously the industry itself is all for it. Earlier this year, Trump was even crowned the quote undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal. And he was presented with this big stupid trophy by the Washington Coal Club, which is an advocacy group with financial ties to the coal industry. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s one video that the White House posted on Instagram in early February of this year. President Donald Trump: The most important people here today are those who get their hands a little bit dirty to keep America running at full speed. Our frontline coal workers. Coal Miner 1 (Kayla Blackford): My name is Kayla Blackford. I work at the Bear Run Mine. I drive a haul truck and I think what the president has done for the coal industry is really important and we’re able to keep electricity prices down. Coal Miner 2 (Vernon Roche III): My name is Vernon Roche III. I’m a coal miner in Alabama, Shoal Creek Min. We know that President Trump loves clean coal. Coal Miner 3 (Drew): Been in the coal industry for 16 years and the time with Trump being in office. It’s been a great deal for my family, from a small coal mining town in Southern West Virginia originally. Coal Miner 4 (Scott): Conveyor belts are the machines that we use to transport coal from 600,000 feet below ground to the surface where it goes to power plants that fuel America’s energy. Coal Miner 5 (Matt): We are thankful for President Trump’s commitment to coal to bring affordable energy to American people. It gives us the ability to sell coal to the power plants to get us to the extreme cold temperatures, the extreme heats in the summers when our energy grid would be struggling. It always has been and always will be affordable, reliable source for electricity. President Donald Trump: The really dependable form of energy that we have and that’s clean, beautiful coal. Coal Miner 1 (Kayla Blackford): Thank you, President Trump. Child 1: Thank you, President Trump. Coal Miner 2 (Vernon Roche III): For knowing the clean coal. Child 1: Clean, beautiful coal. Coal Miner 3 (Drew): Keeps the lights on. Coal Miner 5 (Matt): Keeps the lights on. Coal Miner 4 (Scott): Thank you, President Trump for knowing that clean coal keeps the lights on. Maximillian Alvarez: Alright. So now that we’ve got that Trump marketing machine BS version of reality, let’s contrast that with the shocking news about what the Trump administration is doing to protect those coal miners that they call brave and claim to love so much. And in her latest report for in these times, Kim Kelly writes, “On May 1st, International Workers Day, Trump administration officials targeted the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, the FMSHRC, abruptly firing Commissioner Moshe Marvit, and closing down one of the agency’s three offices. In total, the FMSHRC lost 16 workers as well as the entire Pittsburgh office that day. Marvit has spent the bulk of his career, including 12 years as a supervisory attorney advisor at the FMSHRC unabashedly representing workers’ interests, both in court and as a freelance journalist for outlets like in these times, the Washington Post and dissent. The pro worker reputation preceded him when President Joe Biden first nominated him for a commissioner position back in 2022. It took three tries to get him confirmed to his current role and he’s not giving it up without a fight. On May 7th, Marvit filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over what he calls his quote unlawful and unjustified purported termination, which has left a backed up FMS HRC even more shorthanded. The Trump administration’s war on coal miner’s health has become especially pronounced during the president’s second term, Kelly continues. The simplering Trump digs coal image the administration seeks to project is vastly at odds with the actions it’s taken to limit minor protections, endanger their health and exacerbate the black lung crisis consuming Central Appalachia, where one in five veteran minors has black lung and one in 20 has the most severe and totally disabling form of the disease. So to talk about all of this, I am really grateful to be joined once again by friend of the show. You love her, you know her. She’s the one and only. Kim Kelly herself. Kim, for those who don’t know and have been living under a rock, is a freelance journalist and author based in Philadelphia. She is a labor writer for in these times and regularly contributes to many other publications including The Real News Network, he first book, Fight Light Hell: The Untold History of American Labor and the Young Reader’s Edition, Fight to Win. Heroes of American Labor are both available from One Signal Simon & Schuster publishers. Kim, thank you so much for joining us against this. I really, really appreciate it. I want to just kind of jump in and toss it to you. Please pick up where I left off reading from your really important article, which we’ll link to in the show notes, but just break down for folks like what the hell is actually happening here with this little known agency that actually has really important consequences for the lives and health of coal miners and their families. Kim Kelly: So here’s the thing, the FMS HRC, I kind of think of it as like talking about a ship named after Hillary, the FMS HRC. A lot of acronyms. I mean, honestly, the acronyms of it all, that kind of plays into the issue here.This is a smaller, respectfully not that sexy little government agency that impacts a very specific group of workers and communities. And it’s being absolutely torn apart as part of this ongoing kind of Trump administration push to deregulate and de- skill and dethrone every possible government employee imaginable that isn’t expressly falling in line with their authoritarian project. I did get to interview someone with very deep knowledge of the agency. Obviously I had to keep their identity to ourselves because there’s only like 30 people left and he was just kind of saying it felt like the thought of someone in Trump world just kind of going down a list of agencies and like it’s their turn. And this has happened to a lot of other like smaller commissions, boards, OSHA, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, their equivalent of this commission they got, got like the NLRB has gotten all types of jacked up. It feels as if we’re in kind of a new stage of this dismantling. We had the Doge era where it was like really big, bombastic slash and burn Intel’s going through your computer, like lots of press coverage. And then Doge, it was KIA, took about back, shot, done with that. But this ongoing project has not ceased. It’s just become quieter and arguably more insidious because public attention has understandably shifted towards all of the other cataclysms that our country and our government is responsible for right now. But this came across my radar. Of course, we need to shout out Jordan Barab, the worker safety guy. He incredibly experienced runs confined spaces, fantastic publication. He reported on this first and that’s how it came to my attention. And honestly, the thing that stuck out to me besides the fact that it was about coal miners, coal miner safety is kind of my thing, but I recognize that name, Moshe Marvit, because I remember earlier fights to get him confirmed to this arguably pretty atypical, pretty non-controversial agency. He’s a lawyer, he’s pro- worker, seems like a fairly inoffensive type of guy to end up on this type of agency that essentially deals with civil cases and worker discrimination cases, but he had a hell of a time getting confirmed and I think it is because he’s an outspoken worker advocate who’s written for lefty publications and was very clearly like pro- worker and he was nominated by Biden. It took forever for him to actually get confirmed and now he gets fired out of nowhere and it seems very clear that there is some kind of ideological purging kind of effort behind this and he is fighting back. The reason I wasn’t able to interview him personally, we chatted a bit, but I couldn’t speak to him on the records because he’s suing the government over this. I think Jordan mentioned that this was the first time in I think the 50 years of this agency’s existence that someone had been removed from the commission in this way. And this commission was created as part of the 1977 Mine Act, which is really mostly one of our, I think, lesser known but more impressive pieces of labor legislation in this country is obviously coal miner specific, but it really did a good job of laying out very specific protections and building up agencies like MSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration. It’s a good law. It’s a good law. And this is something that obviously the people that run coal mines and make money off of coal mines and get their little clean, greedy fingers all over coal miners paychecks, of course there’s stuff in there that they would prefer not to have to deal with like safety regulations like worker safety laws, like union organizing rights. And something that stuck with me when I was talking to this anonymous worker at the agency, they were saying the fact that there’s three people left, one’s Republican, then there’s two Democrats whose terms end in August. And with Moshi currently out of the picture, if they lose people, they lose the ability to have a quorum, which essentially means they can’t do anything. And I asked them, “Do you think more people will be confirmed? What do you think will happen?” And they said something that I thought was so interesting and terrible like, “Well, what if the reason that there isn’t a big rush to confirm even Trump loyalists is that they just don’t want to deal with enforcing this law at all What if they’re trying to kind of kill it by a thousand cuts by just chipping away at things?” And I thought that was a really astute and stressful observation to make because this is the thing, right? It’s not all like this onslaught against worker safety and human rights and every other possible decent thing that people are able to derive from this government. So much of it has been big, bombastic, like big fights, but a lot of it has been happening behind the scenes in these little agencies, these smaller commissions, boards, federal, like places with beige offices that they’re not as exciting, they’re not as photogenic, they’re not going to get headlines necessarily, but they really have a very important role to play. There’s a reason they exist and they have an impact on people’s lives. For example, the FMS HRC, there are coal miners who are waiting for cases to be heard. There’s workers who have filed discrimination complaints over them being discriminated against for calling out safety issues at work. Those are people. There’s civil penalty cases in which MSHA has basically found that a mine is unsafe, that it’s engaging in unsafe practices or violating safety practices. Someone has to do something about that. I know it can be a little like red tapey and bureaucracy and all of this. It’s a little convoluted reading up on this stuff enough to write a useful article took a little bit of time, but that’s almost kind of part of it, right? Like what they do in the shadows. Maximillian Alvarez: And that work done in the labor done in the shadows in these government agencies that you’re talking about, it is such a shame that we have so little understanding of that and the media is as culpable for that as anybody, but your average citizen doesn’t understand that and thus can’t see past the word and the hatred for the concept of government bureaucracy. And so when these cuts from Doge or Trump or wherever they are, the firings from Trump, the cuts from Doge, people just see a sort of attack on that bureaucracy, but they’re not seeing the people who are responsible for resolving these disputes and claims that matter a hell of a lot to coal miners who are spending their lives underground and trying not to be taken advantage of for it. They matter to … I interviewed some whistleblowers who were both fired from HUD, the Department of Housing and Urban Development earlier this year or last year and they were whistleblowers talking about how that agency has effectively become defunct and like the people like them who were lawyers who were responsible for ensuring that like battered women and people in life threatening situations get the housing that they need, that they’re not being exploited by like landlords or anything. These are real people in life critical circumstances that all of that, like you said, Kim, is now just being sort of hushed and silenced at the same time that the media industry and the whole media ecosystem is going haywire. And so it’s a real crisis, but you are one of, again, those sterling examples of like a committed journalist who has maintained through the chaos a commitment to the coal miners that you report on, the industry, the working conditions in this industry, the environmental conditions. You’ve been doing excellent reporting on the black lung crisis in this country. We connected and worked together here at the Real News for years as you were reporting on the Warrior Met coal strike in Alabama. So with all of that knowledge and firsthand contact with people in the industry, I wanted to ask before I let you go, what state was the coal industry and coal workers in going into the second Trump presidency and how has whatever the hell this administration is doing, like for all it says it loves coal miners, like is it actually helping coal miners? Is it helping the coal industry? What’s actually happening here? Kim Kelly: It’s interesting. I think back to the beginning, I guess of this, not even this one, I think back to like 2020, 21 in the earlier days of these things, and I remember talking to a minor in Alabama who had said, “Just so you know, I’m a Trump guy and he brought coal prices have been super high since he got in. ” And I was like, “Oh, well, have you seen any of that? ” And he’s like, “Well, no ma’am.” And I was like, “Oh, okay.” And that always plays in the back of my mind when it comes to this reporting because it is I think a true thing that coal industry interests have found the Trump administration to be positive at the very least just in terms of skewing the playing field in their favor and trying to destroy previously approved and funded renewable energy projects. They’ve been pushing this coal line incredibly strongly against anyone’s conventional wisdom or scientific wisdom, really just like a fool’s errand and that’s endeared them to the industry movers and shakers. But for the workers, it’s been bad. It has not been bad. Wages haven’t gone up. The jobs aren’t coming back. I think we’re down to about probably less at this point. I think last year, the year before, it was about 33,000 coal miners left in the country. If I double check the stats now, I’m sure it’s gone down. And some of the big worker safety wins that coal miners across any political persuasion, because it is not a monolith, it’s not just a whole bunch of white guys voting for Trump. I’ve met plenty of people that do not fit that description and have talked to union representatives for the UAW that are very aware that they have a pretty diverse coalition of, well, not even coalition, just a diverse group of people in their union. Retirees are one thing, but the younger folks and other generations, you’d be surprised. But a lot of the work that has been doing around these sort of community issues like the black lung crisis, like worker safety, like pensions, like black lung payments out of this fund, the existing black lung benefits fund for workers and former workers who have been diagnosed and disabled by black lung. A lot of that work actually started bearing some fruit during the Biden administration because there weren’t as many roadblocks. The one thing I learned through reporting on agency doings that I hadn’t known that much about before I kind of dove in was how pivotal it is that there is a nominally at least pro- worker or not cartoonishly anti-worker at least a person in the executive chair and then the administration because a lot of the people, especially pre-Trump purges that work in these agencies are just trying to get shit done, but their ability to do so can be either helped or hindered by who’s in charge. So for example, in 2024, at the very end of the Biden administration, minors and their advocates, because they did the real work, they finally got this new silica exposure rule basically approved. The process is a whole situation, but we’ll just say they got it, right? They got this new rule that was going to limit the amount of silica dust that coal miners could be exposed to during their work days. This is not a new thing since 1974. We’ve known that silica dust is toxic, 20 times more toxic than coal dust. It is the absolute biggest factor driving the uptick in black lung cases and severe black lung cases among coal miners, especially those that are much younger have much less time underground. We’re talking late 20s, 30s, 40s folks dealing with the most severe and debilitating form of this disease. Silica is the biggest reason. And up until this rule finally got through, coal miners were legally able to be exposed to twice as much silica dust as any other worker in the entire country because silicate is something that exists in a lot of other professions. There’s construction workers, courts countertop workers in California that are dealing with their own silicosis crisis right now, but we know all this workers have been trying to do something about this for a really long time. Finally got to the finish line, 2024. It was supposed to be implemented April 2025. What happened between those two things happening, Trump got elected all of a sudden that rule very specific, very much not something the coal industry wanted to deal with because it required them to follow some more rules and maybe spend a couple more dollars on safety equipment and engineering controls and ate into their profits the tiniest bit. They didn’t want anything to do with it. And so this rule that took decades of activism and law being organized and by coal miners and public health advocates and everybody who wasn’t a total thickhead were trying to get this through and it kept being delayed, just kicked down. At first, I think it was a three month delay. Then it was like a six month delay. It just kept getting delayed, the implementation and enforcement to the point where the most recent development is that it’s been basically pulled back for more judicial review, further study, more changes for essentially they’re going to make it easier for the coal industry interest to come in and weaken it and just chop it all up.This is something that should not be controversial no matter what values you have. Making it so that fewer people get black lung seems pretty infensive, seems like a decent win even at the point where some of Cold State senators like full on Trump zombies came out earlier during the Doge era when NIOSH and black lung monitoring services were getting slashed up. They’re like, “Oh, wait, wait, maybe can we keep some of that? ” And the administration pulled back. So all that to say, things have gotten worse. They’ve gotten worse. It’s just as dangerous, if not worse, because there’s this emphasis on coal and this emphasis on trying to open new mines and new coal fired facilities. It’s not going to be good for anyone but the people who have been making money off of these workers, blood, sweat, tears, and lung tissue for centuries now. And it’s really disappointing. We don’t expect anything good to come out of the kind of people that Trump puts in charge of these agencies or Trump himself, but it’s like, what is the constituency for killmore coal miners? Who is asking him and them to make it harder for workers to have safety discrimination cases heard? Who’s voting for that? It’s not like these are big popular … No one’s like, “You know who really deserves a comeup into those fat cats at the FMSHRC.” It’s like, who is this for? There’s like one cold guy somewhere who’s like, “Yeah, We got them.” And it’s just unfortunate. And I’ve been reporting this for a long time. This is one of my things I report on. I ended up being that guy. And the one thing that … Well, there’s a lot of things that make me sad, but one thing that makes me sad and frustrated when I share stories on social media like, “Here’s this article I wrote, please clap.” There is always, always some people, some commenters who are like, “Well, they voted for this. ” Well, that’s what they get. Who did they vote for? Who do they vote for? And that has been a recurring theme ever since I first started writing about coal miners, gosh, almost like six, seven years ago. There’s a real lack of empathy and a real sort of spitefulness from some folks who just assume that coal miners are all the same, they’re all the same kind of person, they all voted the same way. And it’s just disappointing to see because I guarantee you, no one voted to get black lung and lose the ability to breathe or play with their grandkids or their kids. People being sold a bill of goods, I don’t think anybody deserves to die because they voted for someone who lied to them. Maximillian Alvarez: No, I wholeheartedly agree. And it’s like the exact same thing I say to people who say those exact same comments when I’m reporting from East Palestine, Ohio or that train derail. They’re like, “Well, they voted for that. They deserve it. ” I was like, “Are you kidding me? Do you see what they’re going through?” How could you say that on a video that is showing you that they’re dying? Have we lost so much of our humanity that we can’t even empathize with each other on that basic level? And again, I could talk to you about this for days, but I know I got to let you go. And I want to underscore for people that that is why Kim’s work is so important and why we work so well together with Kim here at the Real News is because if you’re not tending to that human stuff, then you’re not actually interested in the truth, right? You’re interested in an argument about the truth and how you can twist the truth into something else for your own purpose. We are reporters who care about human beings. So we go out and get the truth wherever it lives in the complex lives of complex people, like the ones that Kim is talking about. And Kim, with just a two-minute maybe wrap up, I wanted to end on that note, not asking you to speak for anyone or any group of people, but just any points you want to impress upon people who are thinking that way, especially in an election year. Well, they voted for that. Why should I care about that? What do you want them to know about what black lung actually does to your body? What do you want them to know about what it’s actually like to work in a coal mine or live in a coal mining community? Just anything you want to leave folks with before we let you go and wrap up. Kim Kelly: So years ago, I made friends with a retired coal miner named Danny Witt and he got diagnosed with black lung in 1988, that’s the year I was born. So for my entire life, his lungs have been struggling to function. He’s had a hard time walking. He had to stop doing a job that he works to care for his family and put food on the table and he kind of got off easy in a way, which is a wild way to frame it. But Danny’s lungs are full of coal dust. I’ve met people my age, I’m 38. I’ve met people my age and a little bit younger who have lungs full of silica and they can’t breathe on their own. They can’t really walk anymore. If you’ve seen photos of what a lung with black lung coal miners pneumoconiosis, it’s government name, it literally turns black. There’s a man named John Moore, a black father of three in West Virginia who he wasn’t even a career coal miner. He picked up some shifts while he was doing other stuff. He had a wig shop, he does events now. He was all over the place. He was hustling and he’s dying and he’s 42 and I don’t think he deserves that. I don’t think he voted for Trump, but he might have. I didn’t ask. I asked what he was doing to take care of himself and how his daughters were coping. And I think there is so much humanity that is missed when we give into these kind of divisions and this manufactured tribalism. I know there’s people that I report on that probably think I am just the worst godless calmy piece of trash. And you know what? Join the club. I’ve been online for a long time. Not everybody has to … You don’t have to like me. I still don’t think you need to choke to death. I might wonder why does some tattooed broad from Jersey going down to Alabama all the time talking to coal miners? Well, because they remind me of my dad. He works in construction. He has terrible political opinions, but there’s a lot of things we do agree on and I’ve been able to move him a little bit towards the way to seeing the world I see it. Not that it’s the right way, but it makes sense to me. I think we need to give each other a little bit more grace. And it is easy for me to say that I’m a whitebroad from Jersey. There’s a lot of structural things. There’s a lot of racist things. There’s a lot of stuff that I don’t have to think about that other folks have to think about because of who they are Or how they’re born, where they’re from, how they identify. And I understand why some people would be like, “Well, I don’t have any sympathy for these people. Why would I care? They don’t think that I deserve to exist.” And that’s fair. You’re allowed to think that. I get why you would. I would just ask if you have the time to think about it a little bit, maybe nobody should suffer. Maybe there’s some things we can sort out after the revolution. If we just have to ensure that enough of us make it there to have time to sit down and have those conversations. Maximillian Alvarez: All right, gang, that’s going to wrap things up for us today. I want to thank our guests, the indomitable Kim Kelly, freelance journalist and labor writer. Go find Kim’s book, Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor and follow more of her writing using the links that we provided in the show notes for this episode. And of course, I want to thank you all for listening and I want to thank you for caring. We’ll see y’all back here next time for another episode of Working People. And in the meantime, go explore all the great work that we’re doing at the Real News Network across all our different platforms. And we’re doing grassroots reporting that lifts up the voices and stories from the front lines of struggle. Sign up for the real news newsletter so you never miss a story and help us do more work like this by going to the realnews.com/donate and becoming a supporter today. I promise you guys it really makes a difference. I’m Maximillian Alvarez. Take care of yourselves, take care of each other. Solidarity forever. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Maximillian Alvarez.
THE GREAT JIHAD • sufism in Chechnya (third ritual)
Executions Spike in Iran as Gov’t Intensifies Domestic Repression Amid U.S.-Israeli Attacks
"Dictatorship in Action": David Cay Johnston on $1.8B Slush Fund
Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 20, 2026
87+ Gaza aid flotilla activists abducted by Israel now on hunger strike
Asia Pacific Report At least 87 people kidnapped by Israeli forces from a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza have begun a hunger strike, say organisers, after Israeli forces intercepted the last remaining vessel in international waters. The group is striking “in protest of their illegal abduction and in solidarity with the over 9500 Palestinian
Asia Pacific Report At least 87 people kidnapped by Israeli forces from a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza have begun a hunger strike, say organisers, after Israeli forces intercepted the last remaining vessel in international waters. The group is striking “in protest of their illegal abduction and in solidarity with the over 9500 Palestinian hostages held in Israeli dungeons”, the Global Sumud Flotilla wrote on X, reports Al Jazeera. Late on Tuesday evening, Israeli forces “kidnapped” six people on board the Lina al-Nabulsi boat, organisers said. READ MORE: Family pleas for kidnapped 3 Kiwis as Gaza flotilla demands global activists’ freedom from Israel Foreign ministers of 10 countries say Israel’s storming of the aid flotilla is blatant violation of international law Greenpeace calls on global govts to ensure safety of Gaza flotilla stormed by Israeli military ‘They threatened to kill us at gunpoint,’ says NZ Gaza flotilla activist After Israel’s brutal attack on Kiwis the NZ government does nothing Other Gaza flotilla reports The boat was the last in a group of more than 50 vessels that left Turkiye’s port city of Marmaris last week to sail towards Gaza, with the goal of breaking Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-128171 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Acacia-OConnor-GSFAotearoa-400tall-.png" alt="Acacia O'Connor of the Global Sumud Flotilla Aotearoa delegation presents a message" width="400" height="712" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Acacia-OConnor-GSFAotearoa-400tall-.png 400w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Acacia-OConnor-GSFAotearoa-400tall--169x300.png 169w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Acacia-OConnor-GSFAotearoa-400tall--236x420.png 236w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /> Acacia O’Connor of the Global Sumud Flotilla Aotearoa delegation presents a message on Instagram appealing for New Zealanders to contact MFAT. Image: Instagram/@aotearoanz_globalsumud Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed late on Tuesday that its forces were taking hundreds of flotilla participants to Israel. “Another PR flotilla has come to an end. All 430 activists have been transferred to Israeli vessels and are making their way to Israel, where they will be able to meet with their consular representatives,” a ministry spokesman said, calling the effort “nothing more than a PR stunt.” Israeli forces began overtaking the vessels in international waters off the coast of Cyprus on Monday, organisers said, where they raided boats, allegedly fired rubber bullets and abducted participants. Nine Indonesians, 3 New Zealanders The detainees included nine Indonesian citizens, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s foreign ministry said Wednesday. Indonesia called for the immediate release of all vessels and said that “every diplomatic channel and consular measure will continue to be fully utilised”. Some 15 Irish citizens, including Dr Margaret Connolly, the sister of Irish President Catherine Connolly, were among those being held. Countries including Turkiye, Spain, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Libya, and the Maldives denounced the Israeli interceptions as “blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law”. Three New Zealanders were also abducted on the flotllla but their government has not spoken out. They are Mousa Taher, turning 39 next week; Hāhona Ormsby, 56; and Julien Blondel, 47. The United States, however, imposed sanctions on four activists for their involvement in flotillas that have tried to reach Gaza, claiming without evidence that the organisers were acting “in support of Hamas”. Some previous flotilla participants have refused food upon being detained by Israel. Pro-Palestine activists jailed in the UK also participated in a high-profile, months-long hunger strike that began last year and led to severe health effects. More information at the Global Sumud Flotilla New Zealand delegation Instagram page NZ EMBASSY (responsible for the illegally occupied Palestinian terroritories) in Ankara, Turkey +90(312)4463333 Email: NZEmbassyAnkara@mfat.govt.nz <img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128172" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NZers-abducted-GSFAotearoa.png" alt="The three New Zealanders abducted by the Israel military" width="680" height="300" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NZers-abducted-GSFAotearoa.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NZers-abducted-GSFAotearoa-300x132.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> The three New Zealanders abducted by the Israel military . . . Mousa Taher (from left), Hāhona Ormsby, and Julien Blondel. Image: Instagram/@aotearoanz_globalsumud This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Amnesty: Executions Spike in Iran as Gov’t Intensifies Domestic Repression Amid U.S./Israeli Attacks
Amnesty International’s 2025 report on the global use of the death penalty finds that executions have surged to their highest recorded number in over 40 years, driven largely by the expanded use of political executions in Iran to “...
Amnesty International’s 2025 report on the global use of the death penalty finds that executions have surged to their highest recorded number in over 40 years, driven largely by the expanded use of political executions in Iran to “create a climate of fear and intimidation in the society and deter dissent.” Amnesty recorded 2,707 executions in 2025. But the data excludes China, believed to be the world’s top executioner, because its government does not release any public data on executions. While the majority of countries around the world have banned the use of the death penalty, Raha Bahreini, who contributed to the report, says the 17 countries that carried out executions last year “keep insisting on the use of the death penalty as a tool of control and repression.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Is an Invasion of Cuba Next? Peter Kornbluh on U.S. Move to Indict Raúl Castro & CIA’s Widening Role
In the latest escalation of the decadeslong U.S. pressure campaign against Cuba’s communist government, the Trump administration is expected to unseal an indictment against Raúl Castro, the 94-year-old former president of Cuba, later tod...
In the latest escalation of the decadeslong U.S. pressure campaign against Cuba’s communist government, the Trump administration is expected to unseal an indictment against Raúl Castro, the 94-year-old former president of Cuba, later today. The charges stem from the 1996 shootdown of four pilots with Brothers to the Rescue, the U.S.-based anti-Castro organization formed by Cuban exiles and dissidents. Peter Kornbluh, a Cuba specialist at the National Security Archive, says that the indictment will send “a clear warning” to Cuban leaders and provide justification for a possible future attempt to capture or assassinate Castro. “Military options are on the table and coming soon,” says Kornbluh. “It is absolutely clear that the U.S. military is preparing contingency operations in case Trump’s impatience runs out because Cuba has not met his imperial demands fast enough.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Liberia: School Fees Block Children’s Access to Education
Report from Havana: Cubans Starving & Dying Because of Intensified U.S. Blockade
In Havana, we speak to journalist Ed Augustin, who calls the Trump administration’s strict fuel blockade of Cuba, in place since the beginning of 2026, “the collective punishment of a population, particularly targeting poor communi...
In Havana, we speak to journalist Ed Augustin, who calls the Trump administration’s strict fuel blockade of Cuba, in place since the beginning of 2026, “the collective punishment of a population, particularly targeting poor communities, pregnant women, children and the elderly.” Augustin shares stories of hardship faced by everyday Cubans who are increasingly forced to go without electricity, drinking water and medical care. This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
“Dictatorship in Action”: David Cay Johnston on $1.8B Slush Fund & Shielding Trumps “Forever” from IRS
In a shocking and unprecedented move, the Justice Department issued a memo Tuesday saying the IRS is “forever barred” from investigating past tax returns of President Trump, his family, company and “related companies.” ...
In a shocking and unprecedented move, the Justice Department issued a memo Tuesday saying the IRS is “forever barred” from investigating past tax returns of President Trump, his family, company and “related companies.” It came just a day after the department announced the creation of a $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund to “compensate” people prosecuted for supposedly political reasons by the Biden and Obama administrations — a move expected to benefit January 6 insurrectionists, other Trump allies and even Trump himself. It’s all part of an agreement between the Department of Justice and President Trump’s personal attorneys in exchange for Trump dropping a $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over leaked tax returns. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche — President Trump’s former personal attorney — will appoint the commission overseeing the Justice Department’s new fund. “This is dictatorship in action,” says reporter David Cay Johnston. He calls the “anti-weaponization” fund “a slush fund to pay a criminal enforcement arm, a violent arm of Trump supporters to intimidate people” and says the order to not investigate the Trump family’s dealings “screams that Donald Trump is, in fact, a criminal-level tax cheat.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Israel is ‘doing a Ukraine’ in Lebanon but world stays silent, says war reporter
Asia Pacific Report Celebrated Italian war reporter Francesca Mannocchi has condemned the double standard over Israel’s war mongering. “What Israel is doing in southern Lebanon is, quite simply, no different from what Russian troops have been doing in Ukraine,” she said in an interview. “It’s the same thing… READ MORE: At least 22 killed in
Asia Pacific Report Celebrated Italian war reporter Francesca Mannocchi has condemned the double standard over Israel’s war mongering. “What Israel is doing in southern Lebanon is, quite simply, no different from what Russian troops have been doing in Ukraine,” she said in an interview. “It’s the same thing… READ MORE: At least 22 killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon in 24 hour – ceasefire death toll tops 3000 “Since 2022, have we ever read a headline saying, ‘Putin is building a security buffer zone in Mariupol’? No. “We’ve always called it what it is: a military occupation. “Yet when Israeli troops do the exact same thing in southern Lebanon, we call it a ‘security buffer zone’. That framing clearly shaped perception, Mannochi said. ‘Same dynamics, same methods’ “We are talking about the same dynamics, the same methods, the same displacement of civilians, the same destruction. And yet, on one side it is widely seen as a war crime; on the other, as a legitimate security operation.” Mannochi asked why the difference? “Because in recent years there has been a gradual erosion in how international law is perceived and applied. And it has its convenient enemies. “Putin is an easy one: no one would seriously argue that the Russian Federation is a democracy. Israel, on the other hand, continues to be described, and accepted, as a ‘democracy’, even when that label is increasingly contested. “Why? Because this implicates us. While we no longer feel allied, morally or politically, with Russia, many in the West still see themselves as morally and militarily aligned with Israel.” Italian war reporter Francesca Mannocchi: “What Israel is doing in southern Lebanon is, quite simply, no different from what Russian troops have been doing in Ukraine. It’s the same thing… Since 2022, have we ever read a headline saying “Putin is building a security buffer… pic.twitter.com/yRM0p7BBDp — Paolo Mossetti (@paolomossetti) May 18, 2026 This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by Pacific Media Watch.
Monday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast - HD
Monday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast - HD This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4 and was authored by Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4.
Headlines for May 20, 2026; “Dictatorship in Action”: David Cay Johnston on $1.8B Slush Fund & Shielding Trumps “Forever” from IRS; Report from Havana: Cubans Starving & Dying Because of Intensified U.S. Blockade; Is an Invasion of Cuba Next? Peter Kornbluh on U.S. Move to Indict Raúl Castro & CIA’s Widening Role; Amnesty: Executions Spike in Iran as Gov’t Intensifies Domestic Repression Amid U.S./Israeli Attacks
Democracy Now! 2026-05-20 Wednesday Headlines for May 20, 2026 "Dictatorship in Action": David Cay Johnston on $1.8B Slush Fund & Shielding Trumps "Forever" from IRS Report from Havana: Cubans Starving & Dying Because of Intensified U.S. Blockade Is an Invasion of Cuba Next? Peter Kornbluh on U.S. Move to Indict Raúl Castro & CIA's Widening Role Amnesty: Executions Spike in Iran as Gov't Intensifies Domestic Repression Amid U.S./Israeli Attacks Download this show This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Iran Threatens War Will Spread Beyond Middle East If Trump Resumes Attacks, Lebanon’s Health Ministry Says at Least 22 People Killed in Israeli Attacks Despite Ceasefire, Israeli Forces Intercept Last Remaining Boats with Gaza Sumud Flotilla, Abducting Over 400 Activists, Israel’s Far-Right Finance Minister Smotrich Says ICC Seeks Arrest Warrant Against Him, Victims of Islamic Center Shooting in San Diego Identified, DOJ “Forever” Bars IRS From Probing Trump, His Sons and Their Family Business, Democratic Senators Grill Transportation Secretary Duffy About Reality TV Road Trip Project, WHO: 600 Cases of Ebola and 139 Suspected Deaths in Congo and Uganda, Nigeria’s Military Confirms Joint Strikes with U.S. Against Islamic State, Killing 175 People, Trump Admin Plans to Resettle 10,000 Additional White South Africans in the U.S., Federal Jury Rejects Elon Musk’s $150B Lawsuit Against OpenAI and Sam Altman, GOP Congressmember Massie Loses Primary to Trump-Backed Challenger Gallrein, Biotech CEO Rami Elghandour Speaks at “The People’s Convocation for Palestine” at Rutgers University
Iran Threatens War Will Spread Beyond Middle East If Trump Resumes Attacks Lebanon's Health Ministry Says at Least 22 People Killed in Israeli Attacks Despite Ceasefire Israeli Forces Intercept Last Remaining Boats with Gaza Sumud Flotilla, Abducting Over 400 Activists Israel's Far-Right Finance Minister Smotrich Says ICC Seeks Arrest Warrant Against Him Victims of Islamic Center Shooting in San Diego Identified DOJ "Forever" Bars IRS From Probing Trump, His Sons and Their Family Business Democratic Senators Grill Transportation Secretary Duffy About Reality TV Road Trip Project WHO: 600 Cases of Ebola and 139 Suspected Deaths in Congo and Uganda Nigeria's Military Confirms Joint Strikes with U.S. Against Islamic State, Killing 175 People Trump Admin Plans to Resettle 10,000 Additional White South Africans in the U.S. Federal Jury Rejects Elon Musk's $150B Lawsuit Against OpenAI and Sam Altman GOP Congressmember Massie Loses Primary to Trump-Backed Challenger Gallrein Biotech CEO Rami Elghandour Speaks at "The People's Convocation for Palestine" at Rutgers University This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Tell Us About Your Experience With Kentucky’s Addiction Recovery Care
The post Tell Us About Your Experience With Kentucky’s Addiction Recovery Care appeared first on ProPublica.
Dongyan Xu for ProPublica As reporters at the Lexington Herald-Leader, we first started hearing troubling stories in 2023 from former clients and staff of Addiction Recovery Care, once Kentucky’s largest residential addiction treatment service provider. Over the last three years, we have spoken with dozens of former and current ARC clients and staff. And in April, we teamed up with ProPublica to publish a story detailing how ARC allegedly used staff to falsely bill Kentucky Medicaid for millions, an allegation the company denies. For our next story, we want to take a closer look at how ARC treated the people who came to the organization seeking help with their sobriety. We are particularly interested in hearing from clients, as well as staff who worked closely with clients to deliver care. If you were or are an ARC client or employee, tell us about your experience with the treatment provider. Your perspective will help guide our reporting, ensuring we understand the issues from all sides. You can fill out our brief form or email Lexington Herald-Leader reporter Alex Acquisto aacquisto@herald-leader.com. We take your privacy seriously and will contact you if we wish to publish any part of your story. We’re gathering these stories for our reporting, which can take several weeks or months. We may not be able to follow up with everyone, but we will read everything you submit and it will help guide our project. The post Tell Us About Your Experience With Kentucky’s Addiction Recovery Care appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Peter.DiCampo@propublica.org.
Ken Paxton Wanted to Crack Down on Forum Shopping. Now Lawyers Say He’s Improperly Seeking Out Favorable Courts.
The post Ken Paxton Wanted to Crack Down on Forum Shopping. Now Lawyers Say He’s Improperly Seeking Out Favorable Courts. appeared first on ProPublica.
Dominic Bodden for ProPublica and The Texas Tribune In October, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued pharmaceutical companies tied to Tylenol in state court, repeating claims made a month earlier by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that the pain relief drug was linked to autism and ADHD in children. Paxton, a close ally of the Trump administration who had already announced a U.S. Senate bid, accused drugmakers of marketing Tylenol to pregnant mothers without disclosing its dangers. “The reckoning has arrived,” the state’s attorneys wrote in the lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies Johnson & Johnson, Kenvue Brands and Kenvue Inc. “By holding Big Pharma accountable for poisoning our people, we will help Make America Healthy Again,” Paxton proclaimed in a news release that echoed Kennedy’s slogan. Paxton hired the Chicago law firm Keller Postman to argue the case in state court. The firm had served as lead counsel in a similar case about Tylenol’s safety that was dismissed a year earlier by a New York federal judge who found the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses unreliable. But the court the attorneys chose to bring the suit in wasn’t in Austin or any of the state’s large counties that have extensive experience and multiple judges handling large, complex litigation. It was in Panola County, a community of 23,000 residents on the Louisiana border that Trump carried by 67 points two years ago and whose sole state district court judge is a Republican. At a hearing that month in the three-story brick courthouse in the county seat of Carthage, Kim Bueno, the lawyer representing the drugmakers, accused Paxton’s office of pushing a baseless lawsuit through forum shopping — seeking out judges and juries that plaintiffs believe will be most favorable to them, rather than filing suit in the courts that most commonly handle similar cases. “These claims have been rejected over and over and over again in courts of law by the same plaintiff’s counsel,” said Bueno, who declined an interview request. “And now they’re trying, once again, to suggest that Tylenol is harmful for women when pregnant. And it’s been soundly rejected.” The case was not the first that Paxton’s office had filed in a county with little connection to the allegations of wrongdoing made by his office. ProPublica and The Texas Tribune have identified at least 30 cases filed by the attorney general over the past nine years that have a tenuous connection to the counties in which they were filed. The filings mark a striking departure from Paxton’s previous opposition to the practice. In a 2017 legal brief that Paxton wrote on behalf of 17 states, he urged the U.S. Supreme Court to crack down on forum shopping in federal courts. The practice, he wrote, “has the pernicious effect of reducing confidence in the fairness and neutrality of our Nation’s justice system.” Paxton’s approach also subverts what the Legislature intended when it passed a law in the 1990s that required plaintiffs to file lawsuits in counties where a “substantial” part of the alleged violation took place, according to three legal experts. That was done at the behest of conservatives who felt trial lawyers were flocking to venues favorable to them to win big damage verdicts against businesses. “It looks like the attorney general’s office is interested in engaging in litigation games that it would otherwise decry if the shoe were on the other foot,” said Michael Ariens, a professor at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, who has studied laws regulating where lawsuits can be filed. Neither of Paxton’s Republican predecessors, Gov. Greg Abbott and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, appears to have employed this strategy. ProPublica and the Tribune reviewed hundreds of cases filed outside of the state’s five large urban counties during their tenures. Each had a clear connection to the venue Abbott or Cornyn chose. Neither Abbott nor Cornyn, who Paxton is trying to unseat, responded to requests for comment. Trump on Tuesday endorsed Paxton in the race. Texas’ major consumer protection law gives the attorney general some flexibility with those cases despite the state’s broader restriction on forum shopping. The office does not have to prove that a substantial part of the events in a consumer protection case happened in the place where it files suit but can instead file in counties where a defendant has done business. But Paxton has stretched the boundaries of that law, too, according to legal experts and to former staffers of the attorney general’s office who argued against him in court. Last year, for example, the attorney general filed a lawsuit against the gaming platform Roblox in King County, a ranching community of about 200 people east of Lubbock. Its key justification for selecting the tiny county was that residents there had internet access. Paxton, who did not respond to requests for comment or to written questions, has not spoken publicly about his office’s decisions to file lawsuits in courts with little connection to the cases. At the November hearing in Panola County, Judge LeAnn Rafferty, a Republican first elected in 2016, did not question the attorney general’s office on its venue choice but asked, “Do you disagree with the defendants’ assertion that Tylenol is the safest choice for pregnant women who have a fever?” “It depends on — oh, you said for having a fever? That probably is true,” replied J.J. Snidow, a partner at Keller Postman. “There are not alternatives in the pain relief space to Tylenol that don’t also have risks.” Tylenol makers, Rafferty said, already tell pregnant women to consult with a doctor before taking the drug. Rafferty declined to comment about the case. Snidow said Keller Postman had no comment. Paxton has repeatedly turned to the firm as he has grown increasingly reliant on private attorneys to litigate major cases for his office. Kenvue directed ProPublica and the Tribune to a statement on its website that said there is “no proven link” between acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, and autism. A spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson said the company has had nothing to do with making or selling the drug since splitting with Kenvue in 2023. Rafferty threw out five of the six claims in the attorney general’s lawsuit. She dismissed one for insufficient evidence. In the other four, Rafferty ruled that the state did not have jurisdiction over Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue Inc. because they do not manufacture or sell Tylenol in Texas. She allowed one claim to proceed that alleged Kenvue Brands had violated the state’s consumer protection act by making false claims about Tylenol’s safety. With most of the claims thrown out, the attorney general’s office doubled down on its strategy. Two weeks later, it filed a new case against the pharmaceutical companies. This time, it chose Bailey County, a community of 7,000 residents on the New Mexico border. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="3000" height="2000" js-autosizes src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg" alt="Ken Paxton, wearing a blue suit jacket and bright red tie, amid a crowd of people. In the background, a campaign sign reads “PAXTON 26 #TexasFirst.”" class="wp-image-79284" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/260303-Paxton-Watch-Party-19-JJ_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,1067 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 3000px) 100vw, 3000px" /> Attorney General Ken Paxton Johnathan Johnson for The Texas Tribune Paxton’s Pivot For decades, plaintiffs’ attorneys from across the U.S. swarmed courts in small Texas counties that had reputations for sympathetic judges and generous juries. The practice became so ubiquitous that The Wall Street Journal branded the Texas judicial system a “Wild West embarrassment.” In 1995, Robert Duncan, then a Republican state representative from Lubbock, resolved to crack down on the practice. He authored a bill that required a “substantial part” of a lawsuit’s claims be connected to the county of filing. An attorney himself, Duncan recalls traveling hundreds of miles from his home in the Texas High Plains to the Rio Grande Valley for cases that had no connection to the border region. Forum shopping, Duncan told ProPublica and the Tribune, had led to too many attorneys choosing courts where there was “no reason to be there other than the bias or prejudice of whatever the plaintiff’s lawyer is trying to establish that would favor the case, as opposed to giving the defendant a fair opportunity.” Duncan declined to comment on Paxton’s practice of filing lawsuits in counties with little connection to the allegations of wrongdoing. Paxton was not in the Legislature when Duncan’s bill passed but, as a freshman representative in 2003, he supported legislation that gave judges more power to dismiss lawsuits they concluded belonged in another state. He also railed against “rampant forum shopping,” asserting that the U.S. Supreme Court in 2017 should restrict the practice after plaintiffs in patent infringement lawsuits began flocking to courts that most often ruled in their favor. The Eastern District of Texas had become the most popular venue for the lawsuits, even though few of the cases had clear connections to the area. Most cases landed on the docket of a judge based in rural Harrison County, 140 miles east of Dallas, where plaintiffs won 78% of the time, according to legal researchers. That waned after justices ruled that federal courts must strictly enforce a decades-old law requiring corporations in patent disputes to be sued only in their home states. Since then, Paxton has repeatedly engaged in forum shopping in state courts, legal experts said. In fact, his office, or attorneys on behalf of his office, have filed 11 cases in Harrison, the same county where he argued that federal courts should limit plaintiffs from filing. “It’s hypocritical for the AG to criticize patent litigants for forum shopping but then to forum shop himself,” said Paul Gugliuzza, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law. “Forum shopping, judge shopping — it’s usually not unlawful, but it is highly opportunistic, and, in many circumstances, probably shouldn’t be lawful.” Paxton notched one of the biggest wins of his tenure in Harrison County. He secured a $1.4 billion settlement from Meta after alleging that the Facebook parent company captured Texans’ biometric data without their consent. Paxton’s office contended in court filings that Harrison was a proper venue for the 2022 lawsuit because the company had done business in the county and a substantial part of the alleged lawbreaking occurred there. The office did not provide specifics. Meta has an office in Travis County, home to Austin, not in Harrison, where only about 0.2% of Texans live, but the company did not challenge the venue. The company didn’t admit to wrongdoing in the settlement and did not respond to questions about the case. It’s unclear why its lawyers did not seek a different venue, but the judge in the case, Republican Brad Morin, denied a transfer in at least one other lawsuit involving Paxton during the Meta litigation. Paxton has not limited his efforts to find more favorable courts solely to small counties. The attorney general has repeatedly filed cases, particularly political ones, in Tarrant, the state’s largest Republican county and home to Fort Worth. In August, Paxton’s office chose the county as the venue to sue former Democratic U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke and his political organization, Powered By People, after the group helped pay expenses for Democratic members of the Texas Legislature who left the state to block the passage of new congressional maps. The maps, drawn at Trump’s behest, favored the GOP. The attorney general’s office stated in court documents that the case had a “substantial” connection to Tarrant County because the group planned a rally in Fort Worth. When O’Rourke sought to move the case to El Paso County — where he lives and where the group is headquartered — Paxton accused him of forum shopping. O’Rourke did not respond to an interview request. Paxton secured a court order in Tarrant that prohibited Powered by People from fundraising while the case was pending. But within weeks, the 15th Court of Appeals overturned the decision. It noted that Paxton was a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, which created an incentive to blunt Democrats’ ability to campaign. The judges said the order infringed on the organization’s free speech rights before a court had determined guilt. Legal experts say such forum shopping erodes trust in the court system. It is especially problematic when it comes from the attorney general, who is supposed to defend state laws and preserve public trust in the justice system, they said. “It’s hard to respect the system if you think it’s being employed in a way you fundamentally think is unfair,” said Paul Grimm, a former U.S. district judge in Maryland and an advocate of restricting forum shopping. “Not the Law” In at least two recent cases, Paxton has tested a novel interpretation of state law governing where lawsuits can be filed. His office has argued that if a company does business over the internet, it can be sued in any Texas county. One such case was a 2022 lawsuit against pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. Two law firms filed the case against the company under a law that allows private attorneys to sue on behalf of the attorney general. The lawsuit accused AstraZeneca of defrauding Medicaid by giving kickbacks to healthcare workers in exchange for prescribing the company’s products. The company, which did not respond to a request for comment, said in legal filings that the lawsuit sought to punish its innocuous outreach to doctors and did not identify a single patient harmed or taxpayer dollar wasted. Paxton’s office formally joined the case in July. Attorneys working on behalf of his office argued that Harrison County was the proper venue because the firm’s website could be accessed from there, company salespeople had visited the county and a local clinic had a brochure for one of the company’s drugs. When AstraZeneca asked Morin, the lone Harrison County judge, to transfer the case to Travis County, he refused without explanation. The company appealed and, in November, the 15th Court of Appeals overruled Morin’s decision. The court concluded that he abused his discretion in declining to move the case. Morin did not respond to a request for comment. The court also found that Paxton’s office failed to provide proof that any of the alleged lawbreaking occurred in Harrison County. It ordered the case transferred to Travis County, where it is ongoing. That month, the attorney general’s office argued that Roblox could be sued in King County, an expanse of rolling plains with no incorporated communities, because third-party retailers there sold gift cards to access the online gaming company. Then the office made another bold claim: that companies with websites can be sued anywhere, no matter how small the county. “This is a case about ubiquity, about being online and accessible to all children throughout the state,” Mark Pinkert, a Florida lawyer whom Paxton’s office had hired as outside counsel, argued at a hearing to discuss a request from Roblox that the case be moved to Travis County. “They are advertising broadly.” Pinkert did not respond to a request for comment. Roblox’s attorney Ed Burbach was stunned by the argument. He’d previously led the civil litigation division at the attorney general’s office under Abbott. The office’s longstanding practice, Burbach told the judge, was to file statewide consumer protection cases in Travis County. This new argument by the attorney general’s office would obliterate the Legislature’s attempts to limit forum shopping by allowing any company to be sued in any county, Burbach said. “That is simply not the law,” Burbach said, adding that most Texans, including lawmakers, would “be shocked to hear that outside counsel of the AG’s office would be arguing that.” The judge transferred the case to Travis County, where it is ongoing. Burbach declined to comment, but Paul Rogers, a law professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, warned of the dangers if Paxton succeeds at getting courts to side with his expansive interpretation. The attorney general, he said, would have “a lot of power to file any lawsuit, in any county, for any reason, whether the underlying lawsuit has merit or not.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="859" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=1149" alt="A two-page legal transcript regarding a venue dispute in a Texas court. The yellow highlighted text argues that the lawsuit is a statewide case rather than one tied to a specific county because the digital content and advertising on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook are ubiquitous and accessible to children all across the state." class="wp-image-79271" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,224 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,574 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,766 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,1149 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2048,1532 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,646 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,316 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,413 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,417 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,394 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,562 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,859 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2000,1496 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,299 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,598 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,898 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/012926.KING-50-copy_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,1197 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Paxton’s team argued the Roblox case could be tried anywhere in Texas because of the online nature of the company. Obtained and highlighted by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune Doubling Down In Washington, Trump and Kennedy’s public rebukes of Tylenol have tapered off. Paxton, however, continues to vigorously pursue his lawsuit against the drugmakers in state court. After the setback in Panola County, the attorney general’s office filed an urgent request in Bailey County, arguing that Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue should be barred from selling any products in Texas until they filed paperwork and paid a $750 fee to register with the secretary of state. (Such registration would allow Paxton’s office to strengthen its case in Panola County.) Though Paxton’s office was already involved in a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies in Panola County, the attorney general’s office stated in court filings that it did not know the companies’ attorneys, so it could not notify them of the suit. Without hearing from the drugmakers’ lawyers, Judge Gordon Green ordered the companies to register. He said they could be barred from doing business in Texas if they didn’t. Paxton proclaimed the ruling a “major win” over Big Pharma. The victory was short-lived. A week later, the drugmakers’ lawyer Aaron Nielson, who had previously served under Paxton as the state’s solicitor general, attended a hearing in Green’s court. He accused Paxton’s office of sleight of hand by trying to relitigate claims that had already failed to persuade the Panola County judge. “This is blatant forum shopping and taking another bite at the apple,” said Nielson, who did not respond to a request for comment. “They decided to bring Your Honor into this, rather than let the Court that they chose continue with its own proceedings, which we think is highly improper.” At the end of the hearing, Green withdrew the order requiring the companies to register. He did not respond to a request for comment. The Panola and Bailey county cases are awaiting a ruling from the 15th Court of Appeals. In the meantime, the attorney general’s office tried yet another gambit in Panola, where the judge had allowed one of its original claims to move forward. Paxton’s lawyers amended their original lawsuit in the county. They noted that Green had ordered the drugmakers to register to do business in Texas, which meant Texas now had jurisdiction to pursue the claims that had been dismissed. They omitted the fact that Green voided that order. By referencing the order as if it were still in effect, the attorney general’s office risks losing credibility with the Panola County judge, Gugliuzza said. “If you knowingly are presenting false information to the court, that is textbook sanctionable conduct,” Gugliuzza said. The post Ken Paxton Wanted to Crack Down on Forum Shopping. Now Lawyers Say He’s Improperly Seeking Out Favorable Courts. appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Zach Despart.
Wednesday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast - HD
Wednesday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast - HD This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4 and was authored by Democracy Now! for Broadcasters - HD MP4.
This Gun Shop Stayed Open Despite Repeated Violations. Then a Cop Was Killed With One of Its Guns.
The post This Gun Shop Stayed Open Despite Repeated Violations. Then a Cop Was Killed With One of Its Guns. appeared first on ProPublica.
Range USA’s gun store and shooting range in Merrillville, Indiana, where a gun used to kill a Chicago police officer allegedly was purchased Jim Vondruska for ProPublica Launched as a new kind of gun retailer in 2012, the Range USA chain was built to look and feel different from the smaller, unwelcoming shops and gun ranges often associated with the industry. Its founder and president, Tom Willingham, wanted to make the experience of buying and shooting firearms more mainstream. So he modeled his company on big box chains, striving for bright, comfortable outlets that would be inviting to women, novices and others put off by some older gun stores. Today, Range USA has bloomed into a formidable brand, with 50 stores in 14 states, a footprint that spans from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Coast. But despite efforts to set itself apart, the company is beset with the same vexing problems faced by more traditional retailers. Federal regulators have repeatedly cited its employees for failing at basic protocols designed to help thwart illegal sales, and guns purchased at its stores keep getting recovered by police. Take the recent killing of Chicago police officer John Bartholomew, who was fatally shot on April 25. The suspect who used a 10-millimeter Glock 29 to shoot Bartholomew was not the original owner of the gun. It was first purchased in 2024, according to investigators, in an illegal transaction at a Range USA store in the northwest Indiana town of Merrillville, a short drive from Chicago. Records obtained by ProPublica show that, in the years before the gun in the fatal shooting was purchased, the store was cited for serious compliance failures on multiple occasions by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the federal agency tasked with oversight of the nation’s gun retailers. The Merrillville store faced revocation of its license following a 2022 inspection that determined a background check was missing for one sale, according to ATF inspection records. Inspectors also determined that the company made “no significant improvement” toward rectifying over a half dozen previous violations, ATF records show. In their response to the findings, Range USA managers blamed the store’s antiquated system for filing federal sales paperwork, telling inspectors the underlying problems would be cured once the company moved to an electronic system. The ATF later rescinded the recommendation on the Merrillville store after proof was found that the background check had been conducted. Records show that between 2020 and 2024, federal authorities recommended revoking the licenses of three other Range USA locations, including two in Ohio. In 2021, inspecting the Range USA in Dayton, the ATF determined an employee sold a firearm to a person who failed a background check, records show. Company representatives admitted to the agency that the employee had failed to follow store policy and “missed the appropriate connections” concerning illegal sales, despite training. They said the company would implement new policies to head off additional lapses. A year later, at the Range USA in Lewis Center, an ATF inspector found that a sales clerk had falsified records of a gun sale after accepting an expired conceal-and-carry permit in lieu of conducting a background check, records show. In response, Range USA managers disputed that its employees lied intentionally. All the Range USA stores that faced revocations are currently open, according to the company’s website, though some have paid fines. Now, as Range USA contends with another controversial gun sale, the ATF is weakening Biden-era penalties for failures to ensure compliance with federal gun regulations, including those meant to deter criminals. The company did not respond to ProPublica’s requests for comment. It has often responded to ATF findings by blaming employee mistakes and staff turnover while making promises of improved training, records show. Meanwhile, the chain has continued to grow. In 2025, Range USA sales, according to industry trade publications, increased by just over 5% even as the industry cooled. With that momentum, the company is eyeing another expansion. It plans to open three new locations by 2027. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="625" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="An ATF document regarding a compliance inspection and the suggested revocation of a Federal Firearms License. It includes several redacted sections, notably a large black bar citing “(b)(3)(112 Public Law 55 125 Stat 552).” A yellow highlighted section states that a Report of Violations was issued with seven violations, recommending revocation. Listed reasons include failure to initiate new NICS checks after 30 days and the unlawful sale or delivery of a firearm to a prohibited person." class="wp-image-77497" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 2480w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,249 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,638 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,851 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,1276 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2048,1702 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,717 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,351 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,459 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,464 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,438 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,625 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,955 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1925,1600 1925w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,332 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,665 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,997 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,1330 1600w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Violation2024-01213-418_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2000,1662 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> The ATF has issued dozens of violations against Range USA, including its store in Naperville, Illinois. In response, Range USA told ATF it was putting a new policy in place to prevent illegal sales. ATF originally sought revocation of the store’s license. The company paid a fine, and the store remains open. Obtained and highlighted by ProPublica. Redactions original. Amid this success, Willingham became a staunch advocate for the industry. In the last five years, he’s contributed to a political action committee that has sought to elect candidates friendly to the interests of gun retailers like Range USA. Both Range USA and Willingham personally have given to a committee run by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association that lobbies for the gun retail industry. Range USA has given $35,000, and Willingham $5,000. The violations cited at Range USA shops sometimes have grown out of investigations into straw sales, transactions where customers lie to purchase guns on behalf of someone prohibited by law from buying them. These guns are typically resold for profit and sometimes end up being used in crimes. In Chicago, where gun sales are banned, Bartholomew is not the first officer to be killed with a straw sale executed in Indiana, just the most recent. Nearly five years ago, Ella French was shot to death by Emonte Morgan during a traffic stop. The gun he used was purchased by another man, Jamel Danzy, from Deb’s Gun Range in Hammond, Indiana, in March 2021. Danzy lied by claiming on a required form that he was purchasing it for himself, when in fact he intended to pass it along to Morgan, according to federal investigators. He was ordered to serve two and a half years in prison for making false statements on federal forms. Morgan was sentenced to life without parole following his 2024 conviction for French’s killing. In recent weeks, Chicago was confronted with the loss of another public safety officer. Bartholomew was inside a hospital when he was shot to death while guarding Alphanso Talley, a suspect in an armed robbery who allegedly drew the concealed gun and opened fire. Talley has been charged with murder and has yet to enter a plea. That gun was allegedly purchased two years prior at the Merrillville Range USA by Olivia Burgos, who now faces criminal charges for making false statements in order to facilitate the sale. According to federal investigators, Burgos told store employees that she was purchasing the gun for herself. In actuality, investigators allege, she bought the gun on behalf of her boyfriend, a felon prevented from legally purchasing one. She also allegedly lied by indicating on federal purchase documents that she was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the sale. According to federal investigators, Burgos told them she was addicted to fentanyl and was on the drug when she signed the papers for the gun. Federal authorities have charged her with making a false statement while purchasing a firearm. The gun eventually made its way to Talley. An investigation into its path to Chicago is ongoing. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="501" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=752" alt="A woman in a lavender sweatshirt ties a blue ribbon around a metal pole in a residential neighborhood, while a young boy watches from nearby. To the right, an American flag hangs from a separate pole in front of a brick house." class="wp-image-77269" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1023 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2272802656_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1066 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> A woman hangs blue ribbons on a block for Chicago police officer John Bartholomew, who was shot and killed in April with a gun allegedly purchased at a Range USA location in Indiana. Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service/Getty Images Last year, advocates with the gun control advocacy group Brady United alleged negligence by Range USA, several Range employees and Willingham in a straw sale from a different shooting, linked to its store in Shorewood, Illinois, about 50 miles outside Chicago. The suit grew from a 2023 incident where then-18-year-old Maxwell Williams shot a woman through the neck amid an argument at a large house party. He later pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a firearm and is currently serving a 10-year sentence in Illinois state prison. Williams, who at the time wasn’t old enough to buy a firearm, had his girlfriend illegally purchase one on his behalf, the suit alleged. According to court records, the Range USA sales clerk proceeded with the sale despite signs that the girlfriend was not the actual buyer. Video taken of the transaction shows Williams verbally directing her on which gun to buy and counting out the cash for the purchase himself, the lawsuit alleges. The girlfriend pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery in the shooting. Range USA has denied the allegations from Brady and moved to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming that its employees had no knowledge of any criminal intent by Maxwell or his girlfriend. Attorneys for the company also cited the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which they said preempts lawsuits against gun retailers and their employees over harm caused by guns bought at their stores. A solution to the problem of detecting and preventing illegal sales like those that preceded the deaths of the two Chicago police officers has eluded lawmakers and industry figures alike. Employees at retail gun stores are generally taught to notice typical signs of straw purchases and are entitled to end any suspect transaction. But even with good-faith efforts, straw sales persist. For its part, the ATF has established several surveillance programs requiring retailers to report potential or suspected straw purchases. The trigger for one such effort was so-called “crime guns,” those recovered by police within three years of being sold at retail. Stores with more than 25 such guns annually were targeted for enhanced scrutiny, a program known as Demand Letter 2. Under the Biden administration, the program was used to connect guns purchased on underground markets to the original sellers. Last year, Trump officials announced the program would be discontinued. According to an analysis by Brady, about two-thirds of Range USA locations were included in the Demand Letter 2 program between 2022 and 2023. Gun industry figures consistently deny responsibility for straw sales, putting the blame on the buyers who are breaking the law by lying about their intentions. Part of their solution rests on educational programs and training for retailers on how to spot signs of straw buyers. In 2021, under President Joe Biden, the ATF began a new strategy — sometimes referred to as the “zero-tolerance policy” — of conducting more frequent inspections and applying harsher penalties to retailers who repeatedly failed to comply with federal guidelines governing gun sales. After it was adopted, the industry saw a huge increase in the number of recommendations for gun-store license revocations issued by the ATF. Those do not lead to immediate closures, as stores are allowed to fight the revocations through administrative hearings and court appeals that can last years. The revocations plummeted under Trump last year. Whether the Biden-era policies effectively reduced gun trafficking is still a matter of debate. One expert reached by ProPublica said that the enhanced enforcement didn’t begin in earnest until the middle years of the Biden administration. Before it could take root, they said, the Trump administration upended the policy. Last month, Trump officials gathered in Washington, D.C., to mark the agency’s pivot away from the Biden-era enforcement measures and usher in a more industry-friendly approach. ATF Director Robert Cekada said that as part of its new direction, the agency will streamline and modernize gun-sale paperwork to help cut down on clerical errors and make consequences for good-faith mistakes more lenient. “We are proposing to remove unnecessary hurdles that were standing in the way of law-abiding citizens and businesses,” Cekada said. “We are proposing to restore clarity and predictability in our standards.” He also stressed that public safety remains one of its top priorities. “ATF remains the greatest friend to state and local law enforcement officers, and we believe that these rules will not negatively impact public safety,” he said. Asked to comment on the end of the zero-tolerance policy, an ATF spokesperson told ProPublica in an emailed statement: “These are administrative and regulatory changes to processes and definitions, not changes to the underlying prohibitions that keep firearms out of dangerous hands. The ATF does not believe any recently released proposed rules will jeopardize public safety.” Professor Daniel Webster, a longtime researcher of gun trafficking at Johns Hopkins University, said the ATF’s new direction sends a “dangerous signal” to retailers and the public that surveillance of straw sales is no longer a priority. The new rules tell retailers, “Do whatever you want,” he said. “My take is that this ATF is more interested in protecting the industry than in the American public.” In an emailed statement, NSSF spokesperson Mark Oliva said the organization and its members are “committed to ensuring firearms remain beyond the reach of those who cannot be trusted to possess them. That category includes criminals.” The post This Gun Shop Stayed Open Despite Repeated Violations. Then a Cop Was Killed With One of Its Guns. appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Vernal Coleman.
The Iran war is destroying oil demand. Could it also spark a shift to clean energy?
As the oil crisis deepens across the globe, households and industries are using less fossil fuel — maybe permanently.
With the average price of gasoline in the United States above $4.50 a gallon — about a 40 percent rise since the Iran war began in late February — Americans have been climbing into their cars less often, and stepping into trains and buses instead. It’s been declared the largest oil supply disruption in history, with U.S. drivers paying $45 billion more for gasoline and diesel compared to last year. Some 44 percent of U.S. adults say they’ve cut back on driving because of high gas prices, according to a survey in late April from ABC News, the Washington Post, and Ipsos. Cities across the country have seen rising numbers of people riding public transit, from Cincinnati to Los Angeles. Sales of used electric vehicles and hybrid cars have grown substantially over the past couple of months. People are replacing car trips with bikes and scooters; railroads like Amtrak have reported more riders than usual. Much of America is built around highways and suburbs, however, making alternative transportation difficult. So, many people are cutting down on driving without ditching their vehicles, by carpooling, consolidating errands, or working remotely more often. It could be the start of a green, global shift, according to some experts — even if most Americans eventually end up hopping back in their cars. That’s because the crisis is hitting the hardest in Asia, which was projected to account for nearly all the increase in oil and gas use over the coming decades, but is now rethinking its reliance on fossil fuels. “If Asia turns around and says, ‘No, we’re not going to grow with fossil fuels, we are going to grow with electrotech,’ that means fossil fuels will peak, and will peak sooner than we think,” said Daan Walter, who leads strategy research on the future of energy for the think tank Ember. “It’s very likely that if this crisis continues to be as bad as it is, and we see this conversion happening, that we’re currently living in the peak year of oil, and that demand will just never come back to the level that it was just before Hormuz closed.” With roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil shipments choked off in the Strait of Hormuz, households and industries have found ways to use less of it. This can create what economists call “demand destruction” for oil — meaning that the world simply won’t need as much as it used to. The phenomenon is already happening across the globe, according to the International Energy Agency. Last week, the agency reiterated that demand for oil is being destroyed, forecasting a contraction of 420,000 barrels a day this year. It’s a silver lining in an otherwise grim situation: Price shocks driven by conflict in the Middle East are nudging people away from fossil fuels. While people sometimes use “demand destruction” as a dramatic way to refer to a short-term drop in demand, the phrase more accurately describes a deeper economic shift. “To me, the term demand destruction really only makes sense if you’re talking about it as a longer-term thing. Like, it’s truly destroyed the source of demand,” said Kenneth Gillingham, a professor of environmental and energy economics at Yale University. The destruction in global oil demand has been concentrated in Asia rather than in the U.S., where the country’s overall wealth enables people to pay more for fuel relative to much of the world, even as it strains the budgets of low- and middle-income Americans. Factories in Japan are producing fewer petrochemical products — demand for naphtha, used to make plastics and chemicals, fell by a quarter year-over-year — amplifying the country’s “long-term declining trend” in oil demand, according to the International Energy Agency. Its report notes that gasoline demand in South Korea fell by about 5 percent as prices rose at the pump, suggesting that behavioral changes are also contributing to demand destruction. As the crisis in the Middle East deepened, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for a sharp shift to renewable energy, saying, “Our future will be at serious risk if we continue to rely on fossil fuels.” Countries and companies are also decreasing their oil use in response to the crisis. Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka have all introduced four-day work weeks to encourage fewer commutes. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/D-line-subway-train-Manhattan.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="Photo of a subway train full of people" data-caption="A woman puts makeup on while riding the D line subway train in New York City on May 15, 2026. " data-credit="Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images"/> A woman puts makeup on while riding the D line subway train in New York City on May 15, 2026. Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty Images To what extent these fuel-saving adjustments stick around is an open question. President Donald Trump has promised that oil prices will “drop like a rock” once the war in Iran ends. But even after shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes, oil supplies could remain tight for months as facilities are repaired and wells get restarted. The Iran war is also the second oil shock in recent years, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and experts say that this pattern of oil crises is more likely to lead to a prolonged fall in demand. “If prices are low for a very, very long time, and then you have a shock, it’s easy to write it off as not a big deal, not going to happen again. But if you continue getting shocks, then you’re like, ‘Maybe I should really start thinking about making some changes,’” Gillingham said. A report from Ember, co-written by Walter, makes the case that the “twin fossil shock” of the 2020s opens up new political possibilities, just as the double oil shocks in the 1970s prompted investments in energy efficiency and nuclear power. “The parallels with the 1970s oil shocks are striking. But so too is the difference,” the authors write. “For the first time, there are scalable, cost-competitive alternatives. Solar, wind, batteries, EVs, and other electrotech offer a permanent route out of fossil dependence.” The report predicts that Asia, affected the most by the current oil crisis, will fast-track electrification, switching to EVs and pushing liquefied natural gas out of power generation. The first sign that may already be happening: After the start of the bombing campaign in March, China’s exports of solar, batteries, and electric vehicles surged. “It really shakes countries and companies around the world out of this complacency of thinking that there is a path back to a normal stable fossil system,” Walter said. “Import dependency is just incredibly risky at the moment, and the second crisis kind of confirms that.” And some of the new routines people adopt during the oil crisis could endure. “A shock like the big increase in gas prices, or an earthquake that closes a freeway, is really helpful in getting people to change behavior,” said Susan Handy, a professor of environmental science and policy at the University of California, Davis. “It is really hard to get people to change behavior without those kinds of shocks — not that we want these things to happen, but it is what pushes behavior change.” When a bridge that collapsed reopens, for instance, most people will go back to driving, but some of them will keep their new biking routine, she said. So what determines whether a habit sticks? It comes down to what people grow to like, Handy said. People might realize they enjoy riding a bike around town or reading on the bus, as opposed to sitting behind the wheel in traffic, once they have reason to try it. “I think there are probably more alternatives out there than people realize, or the alternatives may be better than they realize,” Handy said. Rising prices can also prompt people to adopt more energy-efficient vehicles or appliances, locking them into lower fuel usage going forward. Of course, Americans are still driving a lot — and will probably continue to do so. “We’ve seen oil prices go up and down many, many times in our history, even in recent history,” Gillingham said. “Generally, those shorter-term behaviors tend to bounce back to where they were before.” But in the global picture, it’s looking more and more likely that the second oil crisis in half a decade, at a moment when alternatives to fossil fuels are becoming cheaper and widespread, may lead to more lasting changes, accelerating the decline of oil — and the rise of cleaner replacements. As the author Rebecca Solnit wrote in a recent newsletter: “What if in a decade or a century people remember this as the point when the world really turned away from this filthy, corrupting, unreliable, destructive resource?” This story was originally published by Grist with the headline The Iran war is destroying oil demand. Could it also spark a shift to clean energy? on May 20, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Kate Yoder.
Solve ‘genocide embassy’ issue – expel Israeli ambassador, says PSNA
Asia Pacific Report The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) has called on the New Zealand government to resolve a tenancy controversy over the Israeli embassy — by expelling the ambassador and staff. Noting the world pariah status of the country after the International Criminal Court (ICC) has reportedly sought arrest warrants for war crimes against
Asia Pacific Report The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) has called on the New Zealand government to resolve a tenancy controversy over the Israeli embassy — by expelling the ambassador and staff. Noting the world pariah status of the country after the International Criminal Court (ICC) has reportedly sought arrest warrants for war crimes against up to five more Israeli officials, the PSNA said today the shift of the Israeli embassy into the Fisher Funds building in Wellington had concerned other tenants in the office high rise. Citing The Post front-page article on Monday, it said only some occupants of the 13-storey site had been told that Israel was moving in. READ MORE: Israeli far-right minister Smotrich says ICC seeks his arrest Israeli Embassy on the move ‒ but not all new neighbours happy, despite heightened security promise Family pleas for kidnapped 3 Kiwis as Gaza flotilla demands global activists’ freedom from Israel Other Gaza genocide reports PSNA spokesperson Rinad Tamimi said in a statement “the building’s owner was obviously trying to keep the arrival of the embassy a secret” to avoid objections. “It’s pretty obvious why. The Fisher Funds building is owned by Prime Property Group, which is controlled by rich-lister and former Israeli Defence Force major, Eyal Aharoni,” she said. “He’s looking after his own.” According to Al Jazeera and news agencies, Israeli far-right Finance Minister ⁠Bezalel Smotrich said he had been informed that the ICC ⁠in ⁠The Hague ⁠had ⁠requested a warrant for his arrest. Smotrich did not specify who had informed him about the warrant and said it was a “declaration of war”. The process of seeking warrants ⁠is confidential. Displacement orders The ICC accusations reportedly centre on Smotrich’s forced displacement orders for Palestinians, his support for moving Israeli settlers into occupied territory, and his claim it may be “justified and moral” to starve Palestinians in Gaza. Another report, by the independent Haaretz newspaper, named five officials — including Smotrich — as the subject of arrest warrants, but the ICC described this as “inaccurate”. In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for “crimes against humanity and war crimes” committed during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Tamimi said the solution to the embassy location concern was the New Zealand government could expel the ambassador and his staff. “We broke off diplomatic relations when it was discovered Israel’s Mossad spy agency had been getting fake New Zealand passports. So, there is a precedent,” she said. “It all comes down to the fact that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. It’s the world’s worst atrocity of this century and shamefully its ongoing perpetrators are flying their flag over our capital city. ‘Kidnapping citizens’ “At this very moment, Israel is firing on the Sumud Flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza and kidnapping and assaulting New Zealand citizens on that convoy. “Our ministers are shaking hands with the people who represent this illegal violence in international waters.” Tamimi said that although Fisher Funds did not own the building it operated out of, “it must have powers as the holder of naming rights”. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Trump’s EPA vows to fight ‘forever chemicals’ by loosening regulations
“It seems like they have largely adopted the positions of the chemical industry.”
The Trump administration has announced what it is calling “a major step forward” in the fight against a class of toxic chemicals called PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Extended exposure to PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they can persist indefinitely in the environment, has been linked to various cancers, autoimmune diseases, and other harms. On Monday, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lauded Trump as the first president who is “completely committed” to removing forever chemicals, which are found at unsafe levels in tap water in some 80 percent of congressional districts and lurk in the blood of 97 percent of Americans. But what Kennedy considers a step forward looks like a big step back to most of those who have long kept an eye on the issue. That’s because the Trump administration is unraveling key parts of the PFAS limits approved by the Biden administration in 2024, which are the first and only regulations to put limits on PFAS in drinking water in the nation’s history. Restrictions on four substances in the PFAS class would be rescinded entirely, while water utilities would be given two additional years to comply with limits for two other substances. The Environmental Protection Agency first signaled its intention to make these changes last year, just a few months after Trump took office. The changes will be finalized after a 60-day public comment period expires. Secretary Kennedy, who is known for his pledge to “Make America Healthy Again,” turned attention instead to the EPA’s recent announcement of $1 billion in grant funding for small and disadvantaged communities to detect and eliminate PFAS. “We have a president who has made a greater financial commitment than any president in U.S. history,” Secretary Kennedy said. But the commitment was not exactly Trump’s to make: The $1 billion comes from an appropriation made by Congress in 2021, when Joe Biden was president. PFAS has been used in a wide variety of products, including industrial firefighting foams, for decades. As evidence of health harms linked to these substances has mounted, many manufacturers have developed new types of PFAS that have comparatively shorter lifespans. But this new generation of chemicals, of which there are thousands of members, may also cause adverse health impacts. “The Biden administration had at least set health protective limits for six of these chemicals out of the literally thousands that have been registered for use in the marketplace,” said John Rumpler, clean water director for the environmental advocacy nonprofit Environment America. “Now the EPA is walking back from even that small step toward protecting our drinking water.” On Monday, the administration tried to rationalize the proposed rollbacks by saying that Biden-era PFAS limits were approved in a rush that would have made them vulnerable to ongoing legal challenges. Water utilities and chemical companies have sued the EPA over its PFAS rules, arguing that the regulations are procedurally flawed, financially onerous, and require compliance on timelines that are too tight. But the Trump administration’s EPA has itself sought to undermine the limits since Trump took office last year, asking a federal appeals court to summarily vacate Biden-era restrictions on four types of PFAS last fall. The EPA has since stopped defending the standards in court. “This is about being realistic,” Zeldin said at an event alongside Kennedy on Monday. “A deadline you cannot physically meet is not a public health protection.” He pointed to the fact that technology capable of removing the chemicals is improving, and may eventually bring costs down for utilities burdened by the price of removing PFAS from tap water. In a statement provided to Grist, the EPA said that “the previous administration’s rule set deadlines many water systems simply could not meet — risking costly violations that punish communities without removing a single part per trillion from anyone’s tap.” So far, the EPA has offered little in the way of a regulatory substitute for the limits it is removing. “I don’t think there’s anything new here,” said Jared Thompson, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental protection group that is one of several groups defending the Biden-era limits in ongoing litigation brought by chemical companies. “It seems like they have largely adopted the positions of the chemical industry challengers and the water industry challengers who are saying that these standards are not appropriate,” he added. Zeldin asserted that the EPA is going to “do it right” this time, and the EPA’s statement to Grist said that “it is entirely possible the result will be more stringent requirements” once the four PFAS substances whose limits are being rescinded are reviewed a second time. But some outside experts think Zeldin is already doing it wrong. The Safe Drinking Water Act, which Congress passed in 1974, has a provision that states that the EPA can’t weaken drinking water standards once they’ve been set. “There are going to be legal challenges,” said Richard L. Revesz, dean emeritus at the New York University School of Law and former administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under Biden. “They’ll have to give reasons and those reasons are very likely to be inadequate.” Editor’s note: The Natural Resources Defense Council is an advertiser with Grist. Advertisers have no role in Grist’s editorial decisions. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Trump’s EPA vows to fight ‘forever chemicals’ by loosening regulations on May 20, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Zoya Teirstein.
Once a climate leader, Canada is now doubling down on oil
Mark Carney is counting on Alberta’s oil sands to help him survive Trump’s trade agenda.
Before he became prime minister of Canada, Mark Carney was perhaps one of the world’s biggest supporters of the idea that climate action was good business. He led the clean energy investment fund for Brookfield, one of the world’s largest financial firms, and founded a global alliance of bankers and politicians who wanted to channel their resources toward green energy. When he took over from outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, many expected that he would follow the previous Liberal leader’s ambitious climate agenda, which included taxing fossil fuels and subsidizing clean technology. But just like in Carney’s beloved sport of hockey, momentum in the climate world can change fast. In the year since he took over, Carney has unveiled a suite of new policies to gut Canada’s ambitious climate regulations and support the country’s powerful fossil fuel industry. This reversal reached a climax last week when he struck a deal with the province of Alberta to prop up its tar sands oil industry and vowed to expand the country’s power grid through the use of natural gas. Carney is pitching the reversal as a political and economic necessity. Canada is facing the prospect of a severe economic downturn as a result of President Trump’s disruptive trade agenda, and a group of conservatives in Alberta are waging a campaign to secede from Canada altogether. He has claimed that the country can achieve economic security by investing in oil and gas production while still making progress toward reducing its own carbon emissions. “It will be an opportunity to accelerate the energy transition across Canada, and it’s also an opportunity for Canada to be a reliable supplier for partners across the globe, and to do so in a manner that makes Canada more prosperous and independent,” said Carney in announcing the strategy. The reversal reveals a stark truth about the direction of global climate action: Despite the rapid deployment of clean energy, even countries and politicians once seen as climate leaders are turning to fossil fuels to protect against the turmoil of Trump’s trade disputes and the war in Iran. But Carney’s new strategy doesn’t seem to have pleased anyone. Major oil producers and conservatives in Alberta are still pressuring Carney for further concessions, and a broad spectrum of left-wing politicians and civil society groups have condemned it as short-sighted. The critics argue that doubling down on fossil fuel exports is the wrong move at a time when the rest of the world may be shifting away from them. “The problem is we’re defaulting back to what Canada’s known how to do in the past, rather than what the world’s going to need in the future,” said Simon Donner, a climate scientist at the University of British Columbia who served as chair of the federal government’s climate policy advisory board until he resigned late last year. Carney has already rolled back several of Trudeau’s climate initiatives. He scrapped Canada’s federal electric vehicle mandate and eliminated the country’s unpopular consumer carbon tax, which added a surcharge on gas stations and power bills. The one major policy he left alone was the “industrial carbon price,” which charges polluters a fee for every ton of carbon dioxide they emit. The nation’s biggest emitters are multinational oil and gas companies, which produce sticky crude from the massive “tar sands” fields in Alberta; the oil sector produces about 30 percent of Canada’s emissions, more than buildings or cars. Canada and Alberta have a mutual dependence. Oil makes up more than 15 percent of Canada’s export volume, and Alberta’s oil wealth makes it a net contributor to the federal budget. Under the Canadian constitution, provinces have control over natural resources, and Alberta leaders have long viewed the industrial carbon tax as a threat to their sovereignty. But the oil industry in Alberta needs help from the Liberal government too. The inland province is producing more oil than it can sell, and the industry’s future growth depends on building another pipeline to the Pacific Ocean, which needs federal support. (The existing pipeline to the Pacific is nearing capacity. Oil producers are also seeking to build new pipelines to the United States. Last week, Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith unveiled a “grand bargain” meant to resolve this conflict: Carney removed a proposed hard cap on carbon emissions from the oil sector, and in exchange Alberta agreed to support a long-term increase in carbon prices. The federal government will also expedite permitting for a new Pacific Coast pipeline, while oil producers agreed to build a massive carbon capture system that would offset emissions from oil drilling. Climate advocates in Canada say the final deal is toothless, and makes major concessions to the oil and gas industry. The deal will lower the headline price of the industrial carbon tax and slow down the rate of the price increase by three-quarters, whereas Carney had at first proposed to tighten the price. The proposed carbon capture project has also shrunken to a fraction of its original size, and the oil industry hasn’t agreed to it yet. “It would have been a big enough motivator to find those emissions cuts, but it wouldn’t have jeopardized the possibility of oil and gas companies making money,” said Julia Levin, the associate director for national climate policy at the nonprofit Environmental Defence. She noted that under the previous framework, the per-barrel cost of the carbon tax comes out to the price of a Timbit, the Canadian equivalent of a Munchkin donut hole: about 50 cents. Now, she says, “the companies don’t have to do anything at all for 15 years.” <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Syncrude-Fort-McKay.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="A Syncrude oil sands mining facility near Fort McKay, Alberta. Prime Minister Mark Carney is relying on oil produced in Alberta to help Canada weather the economic turbulence of President Trump's trade war." data-caption="A Syncrude oil sands mining facility near Fort McKay, Alberta. Prime Minister Mark Carney is relying on oil produced in Alberta to help Canada weather the economic turbulence of President Trump’s trade war. " data-credit="Photo by Ed Jones / AFP via Getty Images"/> A Syncrude oil sands mining facility near Fort McKay, Alberta. Prime Minister Mark Carney is relying on oil produced in Alberta to help Canada weather the economic turbulence of President Trump’s trade war. Photo by Ed Jones / AFP via Getty Images Even early news of a potential deal triggered a revolt within Carney’s own party, leading to the resignation of his climate minister, Steven Guilbeault, as well as two members of the government’s independent climate advisory panel. But the industry isn’t satisfied either. The chief executive of the Canadian oil company Cernovus said last week he doesn’t think the country should have a carbon price at all, saying it “doesn’t incent us to decarbonize,” and some producers have said they still worry about making money even under the loose regulations. A leader of the Alberta separatist campaign said the deal only made him more convinced the province needs to leave Canada. Richard Masson, a longtime oil sands executive who has worked for Shell and the government of Alberta, said that companies should see the carbon tax as the price of doing business in a country where most voters want some action on climate change. “The producers will probably take a little bit less return, but in the world we’re in, there’s enough money to go around,” he said. “You’re saying, ‘I’m going to spend a premium on this to prevent having the world turn its back on me.” Masson also said that the ultimate climate impact of the deal depends on whether a pipeline to the Pacific actually comes together. Carney has already eased environmental permitting laws to make it easier, and last month he created a $25 billion development fund that could help pay for construction. But there is still no private company that has come forward to build it, and a number of First Nations tribes with treaty rights on the Pacific coast have rejected the idea. “No offer of equity or ownership will change our position, and no proponent is acceptable to us,” said Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations, in response to the pipeline plan. First Nations have ironclad consultation rights under British Columbia provincial law, and securing a pipeline without tribal agreement will be impossible. Even so, in what seemed to be a further embrace of fossil fuels for economic security, Carney also unveiled a “national electricity strategy” at the same time as the Alberta deal. This strategy seeks to double the size of Canada’s grid by 2050 through investments in renewable energy and a new network of transmission lines connecting the provinces. But it also calls for natural gas to have a major role on Canada’s future power grid, even though the country has made major investments in zero-carbon power and gets most of its electricity from hydropower dams and nuclear reactors. Here again, the Carney government framed the decision as a necessary step toward geopolitical resilience. The strategy claims that “Canada’s economic growth and long-term competitiveness will depend on its ability to attract and retain investment in high-growth, electricity-intensive sectors, including artificial intelligence … liquid natural gas export facilities, mining, and critical minerals.” Underlying all these moves is the assumption that fossil fuels will provide protection against economic uncertainty. As long as Canada can extract and export natural resources, it will be able to balance its budgets and keep its citizens safe. But despite Carney’s reputation as a shrewd central banker, critics of his government view the prime minister’s new strategy as short-sighted — Carney is pinning his economic hopes on the sale of a commodity that the world is starting to abandon. “This is the sort of decision that they’re probably happy about today, and we will look back in 10 years and think, ‘what the hell were we doing?” said Donner, the former chair of the government’s climate advisory board. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Once a climate leader, Canada is now doubling down on oil on May 20, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Jake Bittle.
Hyderabad: ‘Cow vigilantes’ raid truck, find plywood instead of cattle, vandalize it anyway
On May 16, around midnight, a group of self-proclaimed cow vigilantes in Gudimalkapur in suburban Hyderabad raided a truck on suspicion that it was illegally transporting cattle. However, when the... The post Hyderabad: ‘Cow vigilantes’ raid truck, find plywood instead of cattle, vandalize it anyway appeared first on Alt News.
On May 16, around midnight, a group of self-proclaimed cow vigilantes in Gudimalkapur in suburban Hyderabad raided a truck on suspicion that it was illegally transporting cattle. However, when the vehicle was stopped, it was found to be carrying plywood. Despite this, the mob allegedly vandalised the truck and pelted stones at it, injuring at least three people, including the driver, Rasul Sheikh, his brother and a police officer. On May 18, Gudimalkapur police registered an attempt to murder case against the alleged cow vigilantes. Separately, based on Rasul’s complaint filed on May 17, another first information report (FIR) was registered at the Tappachabutra police station. FIR Against 10 Unidentified Individuals Alt News accessed a copy of the FIR filed at the Tappachabutra police station. According to the complaint, 58-year-old Rasul Sheikh, a resident of Maharashtra’s Beed district, was transporting plywood from Chennai to Hyderabad for one Jameel Qureshi. Rasul was driving a Maharashtra-registered truck and was accompanied by his brother, Afsar Sheikh, who worked as the cleaner of the vehicle. The two had left Chennai on May 15 and reached Noman Trading Company in Hyderabad around 11:45 pm on May 16. However, because of an obstruction near the store that prevented parking, Rasul parked the truck by the roadside near the Royal Sea Hotel. The FIR states that shortly thereafter, 10-12 individuals forcefully stopped the vehicle and demanded to know what the truck was carrying. As a crowd gathered, an altercation broke out. Around 12:05 am, police arrived at the spot and dispersed the crowd. AIMIM MLA Majid Hussain also reached the scene and sat inside the truck with Rasul. He later staged a protest outside the office of the deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Golconda zone, along with a group of supporters. Speaking to the media, Hussain criticised the police response and said they should have pacified the crowd instead of appearing nervous, which, according to him, worsened the situation. He also stressed that there should be no “balancing act” by filing cases against both sides. “Here, one side did not engage in any wrongful activity; they have been telling the police since the start that they were carrying plywood. If the police do not keep these things in mind, the public will have no faith in the police,” he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AIMIM (@majlis_official) The FIR names 10 unidentified persons and invokes Sections 189(2) (being a member of an unlawful assembly), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which deals with acts committed by several individuals in furtherance of a common intention. <a href="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/plugins/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/pdfjs/web/viewer.php?file=https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/105_2026-1.pdf&attachment_id=315517&%23038;dButton=true&%23038;pButton=true&%23038;oButton=false&%23038;sButton=true&%23038;editButtons=true&%23038;v=3.1.1&%23038;_wpnonce=5b4c2f1ee9%23zoom=auto&%23038;pagemode=none" aria-label="Open PDF in fullscreen mode">View Fullscreen Skip to PDF content <iframe width="100%" height="800px" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/plugins/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/pdfjs/web/viewer.php?file=https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/105_2026-1.pdf&attachment_id=315517&%23038;dButton=true&%23038;pButton=true&%23038;oButton=false&%23038;sButton=true&%23038;editButtons=true&%23038;v=3.1.1&%23038;_wpnonce=5b4c2f1ee9%23zoom=auto&%23038;pagemode=none" title="PDF document: 105_2026-1.pdf" aria-label="PDF document: 105_2026-1.pdf" class="pdfjs-iframe" tabindex="0" loading="lazy" style="max-width: 100%;"> Alt News reached out to Rasul Sheikh, who was driving the truck and was injured when the cow vigilantes attacked. As per his account, the gau rakshaks chased the truck even after the police had intervened and had instructed Rasul to drive it to the police station. The vigilantes, whom Rasul referred to as kids/young boys, vandalised the truck and injured Rasul, Afsar and a policeman in the process. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-315541 size-large" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rasul-with-truck-768x1024.jpeg" alt="" width="768" height="1024" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rasul-with-truck-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rasul-with-truck-225x300.jpeg 225w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rasul-with-truck-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rasul-with-truck.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /> Rasul Sheikh with the truck vandalised by ‘cow vigilantes’ “I had loaded plywood from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, which was supposed to be delivered to a store in Hyderabad, and we had reached the spot by 11 pm. But the store said that we would be unloading the plywood later, since there was a function going on near the shop and the road was blocked. So, we parked at one place, as we had to sleep in the truck, and wait for it to be unloaded in the morning. Then, suddenly, 3-4 kids came and started questioning about what was inside the truck, and they enquired if we were carrying cows. We clarified that it is only plywood. Then, I saw them speaking to someone on the phone, and suddenly, 10-12 more individuals showed up. They climbed up the truck, tore the tarpaulin cover apart and started throwing the plywood materials on the ground,” Rasul said. He further stated, “At this point, a police van approached the scene and told me to drive the truck to the police station. I clarified to them that I am carrying plywood, and if they wanted to check, then they could do it here only, and then the matter can be quickly resolved. But, they made me drive the truck to the police station. As we were driving towards the police station, more individuals started gathering. They were chanting ‘Jai Sri Ram’ and throwing stones at the truck. A few of them also sat in front of the truck and threw stones, which broke the windshield and the broken shards of glass injured me, my brother and a police officer who was sitting with us in the truck. They threw the plywood on the road and attempted to vandalise the truck, which caused us a lot of monetary loss.” In an interview with HN10 News, injuries on Rasul’s face are clearly visible. Videos from the incident show several men climbing onto the truck and throwing plywood sheets onto the road, while others standing below can be seen pelting stones at the vehicle. Hyderabad: Vi0lence erupted in #Gudimalkapur area on Saturday night after #cow vigilantes stopped a container truck suspecting cattle smuggling. #Police later confirmed it was carrying only cardboard and plywood. The incident triggered a confrontation and stone pelting between… pic.twitter.com/zo6xGqJox9 — MuslimMirror.com (@MuslimMirror) May 17, 2026 “After some time, MLA Majid Hussain arrived at the police station, and that is when they (cow vigilantes) fled from there. MLA sahaab then sat in my lorry with me and helped us bring back our truck. Then, the next morning, on May 17, I drove the truck to the store where the plywood was supposed to be unloaded and went to file the complaint. I left the same evening for home and got back to Beed,” Rasul told Alt News. “I have been driving trucks for 33-35 years now, and till now, no such thing has taken place. The police could have stopped them (cow vigilantes) from vandalising the truck and from attacking us, but they did not, even though there was no cattle in the truck. MLA Hussain has saved our lives”, he added. Police Action According to a report by The Siasat Daily, apart from the FIR registered on Rasul’s complaint at the Tappachabutra police station, another FIR was filed at Gudimalkapur police station against five individuals, including one Sai, whom police identified as the head of the gau rakshaks involved in the incident. The accused have been booked under Sections 109(1) (attempt to murder), 189(4) (unlawful assembly), 191(3) (aggravated rioting), 121(1) (voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant), 324(4) (mischief), and 126(2) read with 3(5) (wrongful restraint) of the BNS. All five accused are currently absconding. The report further stated that police are also registering another case against those who organised an unlawful protest outside the office of the DCP, Golconda zone. Alt News contacted the Gudimalkapur SHO, who said that while the five accused had been identified, they were still absconding. The SHO added that the investigation had not yet established whether they belonged to any organised gau raksha group. Alt News also spoke to L Raju, the senior inspector and investigating officer at Tappachabutra police station handling Rasul’s complaint. “Some of the individuals have been identified by the Gudimalkapur police station, and we are also trying to identify more of them based on the videos of the incident. But it has been difficult to identify them so far because the lighting is very bad. Once they are identified, we will be able to investigate if they were part of any groups,” he said. The post Hyderabad: ‘Cow vigilantes’ raid truck, find plywood instead of cattle, vandalize it anyway appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Oishani Bhattacharya.
Iran Turns Mass Weddings Into a Patriotic Show | US Iran Update
Musician Ninajirachi on figuring out who you are
You taught yourself music production. What were some challenges with that? What kept motivating you to learn?
You taught yourself music production. What were some challenges with that? What kept motivating you to learn? I learned everything from YouTube. The hardest thing was not even knowing what I don’t know, so not really knowing what to look up. Once I had watched a really long bunch of tutorials about the general interface of a digital audio workstation (DAW) and what, conceptually, everything is, it was easier. The challenge was having a problem you want to solve, but not even being able to put words to the problem to type into YouTube to find a tutorial about it. Once I had a tutorial in front of me, it was like, “Okay, great, this is just step one, step two.” But sometimes, when I was younger, I would hear something in music and be like, “I want to learn how to do that,” but I didn’t even know what it was called to Google it. I can imagine the problem of not being able to Google it being so difficult. How did you solve it? When I was younger, I didn’t know anyone who made music. I didn’t know anyone in the music industry or anyone closely related to music production. I was so far removed. I didn’t have the understanding or vocabulary to look up how to use a compressor because I didn’t even know that was a thing. I would see it in the list of plugins and be like, “What is the purpose of that?” That was a big block. Once I knew that, “Oh, you use a compressor to do X, Y, and Z, and it’s an important thing to know to achieve A, B, C,” then it’s easy to look up how to use a compressor. I don’t know how I overcame it. It was just so much time. It probably took me five years of just fumbling around, clicking stuff, and turning things to even become a decent, competent producer. It was just trial and error, honestly. I didn’t have any producer friends to learn things from until I was already releasing music. Before that, I was just clicking things and turning dials until they sounded like a certain thing. I used to use FL Studio, and I would go through, say, Harmor presets or something, and eventually, I probably decided to look up, “what is an envelope?” or something, or “how to get this sound.” It really was a lot of clicking around in the dark. What you just said makes me wonder: Is there something you wish somebody had told you when you were first starting to make music? I probably would’ve learned a lot quicker if I knew basic stuff like EQ and compression really early. I would just put things in and happy-accident things together. When I was younger, every good song I made felt like a fluke, but if I listen back to them now, the songs that were good and felt like flukes were actually just because I used sounds that worked well together. They were already pre-compressed in a nice way, or they were EQ’d. There are songs I could have improved when I was younger if I had been able to identify what was wrong with them, and what was wrong with them might have been like, “There’s five synths all competing here.” From very young, I’ve never had a problem with ideas, songwriting, structure, melodies, or chords. It just took me a long time to learn the more technical side of things, and it’s just because I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I was dragging and dropping things and clicking around until it sounded good. I also like where I am right now, and I don’t wish I could go back and bestow knowledge on my younger self because then the present might be different, and the present’s pretty good. Listening to “Sing Good,” I find it really moving how you talk about just wanting to write music because it felt good regardless of your technical proficiency or songwriting chops. To what extent is that still your motivation today? How has that changed? I don’t really think it’s changed, to be honest. Since my album came out, it’s the first time more than a couple of people have paid attention to my music, and every interview I do, people are asking me, “What’s next?” I think it would be counterproductive to put that pressure on myself because I felt no pressure when I made this album that so many people love and that I love. I could start considering my audience, but you still can’t even know what the audience would like. It would be silly if I made something to appease someone other than myself, and then it flopped and no one’s happy, and I don’t like it and the audience doesn’t like it. It’s only productive to make things I like or think are valuable, because at the end of the day, if I’m the only one who hears it, then I have to be happy with it. I’ve read you say something along the lines of, “I’m going to take my time with the next album. I’m going to let the success of I Love My Computer be a slow burn, not something I rush through.” How has that whole process been going, just living in the moment and not rushing what’s next? It’s funny because I’ve also never toured this much, and I do feel very inspired at the moment. I didn’t just finish my album and be like, “That’s all I’ve got for now.” I’ve got a lot more music in me, and touring is so fun—I’m having the best time—but it can be frustrating because, sometimes, I just want to cancel everything and go and make music. It’s just a new thing for me. I’m not used to this cycle where artists will put out an album, and then the next one happens in three years because they’re touring and doing all this other stuff in between. That’s new for me. I’m trying to have patience, but some of the inspiration I have feels very urgent, and it feels kind of wrong to stifle it. At the same time, it’s really difficult to make music while traveling so much. I used to not understand that. I used to think, “Why couldn’t you make music and tour?” It’s like that feeling of, if you’re on a flight and you get locked in on something, and then you really get in that flow state and you’re like, “Wow, I’m really onto something here.” And then, you have to close your laptop and de-board the plane. It’s like, “Fuck, I don’t want to.” It’s heartbreaking. It’s too hard to get that excited feeling, get on a roll, and then have to stop and start. It’s so nice when there’s just a chunk of time to have a go at it. You released five EPs before I Love My Computer. How do you know when something is an EP versus an album and when it’s done? I wanted my first album to be really good and meaningful and have something to say, rather than just be a bunch of songs put together. I waited until I had a really strong sense of what my debut album would sound like, look like, and be about. For some artists, maybe that happens at the very start of their career, but it took me a while to figure out who I am or what I have to say. Some artists never release an album too, and that’s cool. Especially in dance music, it’s not always—especially not pop dance, but club dance music—it’s a lot of singles and EPs. Knowing when a song is finished is a matter, for me, of listening to it with my eyes closed until I can’t hear any to-do list items on it. If I listen to it with my eyes closed and then I write in the Notes app, “That part is too long” or “That part is too muddy”—I just will keep doing that until it’s like, “I’ve combed over it. There’s nothing to do here.” In terms of a project being done, for I Love My Computer, it was a time thing, honestly. There was meant to be another song on there that got cut because it was just not done. I was like, “12 songs is good. 12 is an album. I’m really glad it’s 12. That’s a nice number.” For the EP I did called 4x4, that was easy because I knew I wanted to make a four-track EP called 4x4. Then, it was just a matter of picking the four songs that felt like they went together. Same with Girl EDM. I wanted it to be a sister EP, so it was another four songs, and then, putting them together, 10 felt like a nice number, so then I made it 10 songs. It’s a bit feelings-based. I know that’s a really wishy-washy answer, but that’s the kind of ephemeral thing that’s hard to communicate. You just know what you want to say in your gut. After you’ve put out a song, have you ever listened back to it and been like, “I wish I had changed that. I wish I had done that instead”? Yes, all the time. It’s probably a really different experience for artists who produce their own music. If it’s an artist who doesn’t have any hand in the production, or maybe less of a hand in the production, I don’t know how that experience would be. There’s an Ableton project for every song. I have the projects because I produce them. When I’m making my songs, there’s a thing that they look like. There’s a visual component to making the music on the screen. Sometimes, if I’m looking at the DAW when I’m making the music for so long, it’s almost like, you can see the timeline of the song, and you can see the clip for every fill and gap. You can see the automation for when something’s muted, so you can almost see when things are coming. That’s why it’s really important for me to know when a song is done, because I need to look away and listen to the song while looking at the wall or anything else, because then it’s less predictive listening. I’m listening as if I’m an audience that didn’t produce the song and can’t see when things are coming. Obviously, I still made the song, so I still know when things are coming, but it gives a slightly more bird’s-eye perspective on the song. Inspired by your recent Frost Children collaborations, what have you learned about yourself by remixing someone else’s music or having your own remixed? This kind of ties back to the start of our conversation. When you’re learning to be a producer, remixing other people’s music is the best way to learn, and then, after doing a bunch of remixes, trying to recreate other people’s music. Obviously, you shouldn’t release a copy of someone’s song, but for the exercise, for the practice, it was so good. I’m so glad I did a bunch of remixes when I was little. You just learn so much. It’s almost like if you’re teaching a child to read or write and you give them a sentence like “I went to the beach” and you omit a word, and they can comprehend most of the sentence and they have to figure out what word is missing and spell that word. That’s what making a remix is when you’re learning, because you have a bunch of parts that already sound good and work well together, and your job as the remixing learner is to fill in the blanks. Your first remix, if you’re a brand-new producer, might be just to take out the drums of a song and remake the same structure, but just remake the drums. If it’s a rock song, you might take out the drums and do dance drums underneath, and then, you’ve learned something from that. After you get comfortable with that, you might take out the vocal and write a new vocal over the top, or then you might remake the chords. Eventually, you might be like, “I’m going to challenge myself to remake every element of this song.” I wasn’t thinking about this when I was working with Frost Children, but for learning when I was younger, that was so valuable. I love working with them. We’ve made a bit more music together. We’ve made original music together. They are so cool and talented. They just do everything. It’s awesome. They remixed “Fuck My Computer.” They just texted me and asked for the stems. That happened organically because they had an idea for it. We decided we would do a remix swap because we had both had albums coming out really close together, and we have a lot of similar fans and thought it would be a good idea. I asked if I could remix the song “Sister.” At first, my instinct was to make something like their “Fuck My Computer” remix. I play it in every one of my shows because it lands so well. I wanted to return the favor and make something with a similar energy. I didn’t imagine writing a verse on it. I imagined redoing the drums and making it a four-to-the-floor banger. But when I sat down to do it, I started thinking of melodies and just went with it. I didn’t know if they would be like, “Oh, bummer.” They really liked it. They said what I wrote inspired them to write more. And then we passed the stems back and forth until it became this thing. We didn’t sit down and be like, “We’re going to do a joint ‘Sister’ remix where we both sing.” It just happened naturally, which was lovely. I hope we can keep making more music together because I think we have a lot of the same taste and sensibilities, and I’m just such a fan. If there’s anything more you want to say about creativity or something more you want to add to a question I previously asked, take a moment. When I do shows and meet people after, a lot of people also make music, or they’re learning to make music, and they ask for tips. The one I’m always repeating is, you just have to do a bit every day. It’s like fitness. You just have to go to the gym every day. With fitness, it’s more valuable to do a little workout every day, or every couple of days, than to do one massive workout a month, because it’s training a muscle, and it’s almost like training your discipline as well as your actual technician skills on the DAW. You just have to show up every day, even if you don’t feel like it. 10 minutes a day is better than nothing. The official Ninajirachi starter pack: “iPod Touch” official music video “Fuck My Computer” official music video “Infohazard” official music video Frost Children, Ninajirachi: “Sisters” Full triple j live set This content originally appeared on The Creative Independent and was authored by Max Freedman.
Hey JD Vance, Ukraine is Winning (And Putin is Petrified)
Ukraine is winning, and a botox-bloated Putin looks like a dead-man walking. While the spineless MAGA right still tries to block aid, Ukrainian innovation has turned Russia's imperialist delusion into an embarrassing nightmare, as predicted on Gaslit Nation at the start of the full-scale invasion. Award-winning war reporter James Verini, author of The Theater: Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War, joins Gaslit Nation to discuss the desperation rattling Moscow. Putin wanted a grand Cold War rematch, but instead, he's trapped in a catastrophic, modern-day Afghanistan with a staggering one million Russian casualties. The reality the MAGA death cult and isolationists ignore? Ukraine is the true vanguard of global democracy. They are out-innovating Goliath with world-leading drone technology and defending the open society while MAGA lackeys play craven partisan games. Putin's radical, Dugin-fueled imperial ego has officially broken Russia, much like Trump's is breaking the U.S. To beat Big Tech censorship, subscribe to Gaslit Nation's Patreon at the Truth-Teller level or higher today. Thank you to everyone who supports the show and joins our lively Monday salons–recordngs are available, only on Patreon. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon. The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult. Join on Patreon. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join in Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, join on Patreon. As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world. Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit Show Notes: Opening clip: Spanish actor Javier Bardem at the Cannes Film Festival, saying what needs to be said: https://bsky.app/profile/hannibal.bsky.social/post/3mm4eomatbk2t The Theater Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War By James Verini https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Theater/James-Verini/9781668062203 Russia in No Mood for Celebration on Kremlin's Biggest Day of the Year: As the country heads into Victory Day, the economy is stalling, internet restrictions are growing and the Kremlin is fearing Ukrainian attacks. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/world/europe/russia-mood-victory-day.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jlA.mQvz.bsjmfvh1AxHe&smid=url-share Ukraine is forging the future of war: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/world/killer-robots-ukraine-ebola-qatar.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jlA.Tkdm.TaPFOgd0QcG8&smid=url-share Kyivan Rus, then and now: How has Russia distorted the history of Kyivan Rus? https://kyivindependent.com/kyivan-rus-then-and-now/ The men who could succeed Vladimir Putin https://theweek.com/feature/briefing/1024619/putins-potential-successors Democrats bypass Mike Johnson on Ukraine aid with GOP help https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/ukraine-aid-discharge-petition-mike-johnson-kiley Putin health fears as Russian president appears at victory parade with 'swollen' face https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/putin-health-fears-as-russian-president-appears-at-victory-parade-with-swollen-face/ar-AA22ZIE7
Ukraine is winning, and a botox-bloated Putin looks like a dead-man walking. While the spineless MAGA right still tries to block aid, Ukrainian innovation has turned Russia's imperialist delusion into an embarrassing nightmare, as predicted on Gaslit Nation at the start of the full-scale invasion. Award-winning war reporter James Verini, author of The Theater: Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War, joins Gaslit Nation to discuss the desperation rattling Moscow. Putin wanted a grand Cold War rematch, but instead, he's trapped in a catastrophic, modern-day Afghanistan with a staggering one million Russian casualties. The reality the MAGA death cult and isolationists ignore? Ukraine is the true vanguard of global democracy. They are out-innovating Goliath with world-leading drone technology and defending the open society while MAGA lackeys play craven partisan games. Putin's radical, Dugin-fueled imperial ego has officially broken Russia, much like Trump's is breaking the U.S. To beat Big Tech censorship, subscribe to Gaslit Nation's Patreon at the Truth-Teller level or higher today. Thank you to everyone who supports the show and joins our lively Monday salons–recordngs are available, only on Patreon. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon. The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult. Join on Patreon. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join in Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, join on Patreon. As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world. Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit Show Notes: Opening clip: Spanish actor Javier Bardem at the Cannes Film Festival, saying what needs to be said: https://bsky.app/profile/hannibal.bsky.social/post/3mm4eomatbk2t The Theater Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War By James Verini https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Theater/James-Verini/9781668062203 Russia in No Mood for Celebration on Kremlin's Biggest Day of the Year: As the country heads into Victory Day, the economy is stalling, internet restrictions are growing and the Kremlin is fearing Ukrainian attacks. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/08/world/europe/russia-mood-victory-day.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jlA.mQvz.bsjmfvh1AxHe&smid=url-share Ukraine is forging the future of war: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/world/killer-robots-ukraine-ebola-qatar.html?unlocked_article_code=1.jlA.Tkdm.TaPFOgd0QcG8&smid=url-share Kyivan Rus, then and now: How has Russia distorted the history of Kyivan Rus? https://kyivindependent.com/kyivan-rus-then-and-now/ The men who could succeed Vladimir Putin https://theweek.com/feature/briefing/1024619/putins-potential-successors Democrats bypass Mike Johnson on Ukraine aid with GOP help https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/ukraine-aid-discharge-petition-mike-johnson-kiley Putin health fears as Russian president appears at victory parade with 'swollen' face https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/putin-health-fears-as-russian-president-appears-at-victory-parade-with-swollen-face/ar-AA22ZIE7 This content originally appeared on Gaslit Nation and was authored by Andrea Chalupa.
Mexican journalist, IPFA recipient Maria Teresa Montaño targeted in possible malware, surveillance attacks
Federal Mechanism for the Protection of Journalists and Human Rights Defenders
Mexico City, May 19, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Mexican authorities to immediately and credibly investigate possible malware and digital surveillance attacks against Mexican journalist Maria Teresa Montaño Delgado and The ObserverMX, and take appropriate steps to guarantee her safety. Montaño, a 2023 recipient of CPJ’s International Press Freedom Award (IPFA), told CPJ on May...
Mexico City, May 19, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Mexican authorities to immediately and credibly investigate possible malware and digital surveillance attacks against Mexican journalist Maria Teresa Montaño Delgado and The ObserverMX, and take appropriate steps to guarantee her safety. Montaño, a 2023 recipient of CPJ’s International Press Freedom Award (IPFA), told CPJ on May 18 she believes her laptops and smartphones may have been compromised by malicious software after she discovered on April 29 that an unknown device was connected to her email account, as well as a number of files she did not recognize on one of her laptops. “Aggressive surveillance and malware attacks against Maria Teresa Montaño, known for investigating sensitive topics, is especially heinous given Mexico’s status as the deadliest country for journalists in the western hemisphere and its abysmal record on illegal surveillance of journalists,” said Jan-Albert Hootsen, CPJ’s Mexico Representative. “Mexican authorities must prove they take digital attacks seriously.” Montaño is the founder and editor of The ObserverMX, which investigates graft, corruption, human rights abuses, and fact-checks public officials in Estado de México, a state neighboring Mexico City. Montaño has been repeatedly targeted by threats and harassment by public officials in the past. In 2021, she was briefly kidnapped by unknown assailants who threatened her and seized her equipment. Montaño has since enrolled in a protection program overseen by the Federal Mechanism for the Protection of Journalists and Human Rights Defenders. An official for the Mechanism, who asked not to be named as he is not authorized to comment publicly, confirmed to CPJ that Montaño is still enrolled in the program and that his agency would contact her to analyze the recent incidents. Montaño told CPJ that she does not know whether the digital attacks are directly linked to any of The ObserverMX’s current investigative work. She added that the recent incidents followed an email sent to her on April 13, in which an unknown sender asked her about “investigations into unknown fraudulent contracts.” CPJ contacted the Estado de México state Human Rights Commission and the state Institute for the Protection of Journalists and Human Rights Defenders. Officials with both institutions, who asked not to be named, were unable to immediately provide comment but committed to following up on the case. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
Family pleas for kidnapped 3 Kiwis as Gaza flotilla demands global activists’ freedom from Israel
Asia Pacific Report Three New Zealanders are being illegally held hostage by the Israeli military after security forces boarded more than 50 boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid bound for the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza. They have been named by the flotilla Aotearoa delegation as Mousa Taher, Hāhona Ormsby, and Julien
Asia Pacific Report Three New Zealanders are being illegally held hostage by the Israeli military after security forces boarded more than 50 boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid bound for the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza. They have been named by the flotilla Aotearoa delegation as Mousa Taher, Hāhona Ormsby, and Julien Blondel. All three were among the almost 500 humanitarian aid activists from 40 countries detained by the Israeli forces when they illegally intercepted the flotilla in international waters near Cyprus over the past two days. READ MORE: Foreign ministers of 10 countries say Israel’s storming of the aid flotilla is blatant violation of international law Greenpeace calls on global govts to ensure safety of Gaza flotilla stormed by Israeli military ‘They threatened to kill us at gunpoint,’ says NZ Gaza flotilla activist After Israel’s brutal attack on Kiwis the NZ government does nothing Other Gaza flotilla reports Mousa Taher was aboard the Kasri Sadabat, one of the final 10 boats to be intercepted. A father of seven, Mousa left his children a message before being illegally abducted, writing on a sign for the livestream camera, “I love you”, and “Salaam Baby!” His 11-year-old son has written a plea to the New Zealand government to intervene: “To Mr Government: I want to ask you to please help my Dad, Mousa Taher, so his boat doesn’t get intercepted by Israelis. I miss him very much and I hope to see him untouched, not hurt, and in good conditions. The people in Gaza deserve support, especially all the kids like me. Help my Baba to help Palestinians please.” — From: Shay Yusuf. Age 11 Taher, who was previously illegally intercepted by the IOF on April 29 alongside Julien Blondel, returned to the flotilla for a second time. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128095" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mousas-childs-letter.jpeg" alt="Eleven-year-old Shay Yusuf's appeal letter for his father" width="680" height="385" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mousas-childs-letter.jpeg 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mousas-childs-letter-300x170.jpeg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Eleven-year-old Shay Yusuf’s appeal letter for his father to the New Zealand government. Image: GSF Aotearoa delegation Taher, who was previously illegally intercepted by the IOF on April 29 alongside Julien Blondel, returned to the flotilla for a second time. Message to ‘fellow Kiwis’ Yesterday, before his illegal interception, Taher sent the Aotearoa delegation a message announcing, “I have a message to my fellow Kiwis and the New Zealand government. “I’m on my boat which has humanitarian aid, on the way to Gaza to break the illegal siege of the israeli occupation forces. “What I would like to say is that, for three years, I watched the uncontested demolition and obliteration of a people. It was on the TV for all of us to watch. “Our government chose time and time again to do nothing. To be complicit, and to allow this to happen. “There has been war crime after war crime, and yet the New Zealand government has been investing and shaking hands with these war criminals who are committing war crimes.” “Our government has a choice. Are you going to uphold international law? Are you going to uphold humanitarian values? Are you going to be the New Zealand that we know and love? “Or are you going to allow these oppressors to continue?… Please just be humans. And stop the killing of babies… this is my request and my plea. Kia Kaha, and we will see you in Gaza hopefully.” <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-127237" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Julien-Blondel--257x300.png" alt="Julien Blondel’s face . . . bloodied but unbowed" width="300" height="350" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Julien-Blondel--257x300.png 257w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Julien-Blondel--360x420.png 360w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Julien-Blondel-.png 680w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> The face of Julien Blondel . . . bloodied but unbowed, he and three other New Zealand peace activists along with dozens of other international Gaza humanitarian protest crew members were savagely beaten by Israeli soldiers who attacked the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters near the Greek Island of Crete last month. Image: www.solidarity.co.nz Blondel abducted second time Also abducted is New Zealander Julien Blondel, a dual citizen to Switzerland, who was beaten in the face in Israeli military custody after the first interception on April 29. Despite the beatings, sexual harassment, and abuse that flotilla participants experienced during this abduction, both Blondel and Taher have returned to the flotilla to try and break the siege once more, the Aotearoa delegation said in a statement. “They returned because they remain steadfast in their solidarity with the Palestinian people and their belief in a liberated world,” the statement said. Hāhona Chris Ormsby (Ngāti Maniapoto), father of five children, is the third New Zealander to be illegally abducted. Before the illegal interception, he said, “we are now only days away from Gaza… we need your eyes on us. Your eyes then become the government’s eyes on us. <img decoding="async" class="wp-image-128113 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Hahona-Ormsby-APR-300wide-.png" alt="Hāhona Ormsby at an Auckland pro-Palestine rally before leaving last month to take part in the Global Sumud Flotilla " width="300" height="384" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Hahona-Ormsby-APR-300wide-.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Hahona-Ormsby-APR-300wide--234x300.png 234w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Hāhona Ormsby at an Auckland pro-Palestine rally before leaving last month to take part in the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian aid mission for besieged Gaza. Image: Asia Pacific Report “It keeps us safe. It keeps us out of harm’s way by the IOF… My freedom is not real if yours is denied. Free Gaza.” The Aotearoa delegation said: “To echo Hahona’s words, we implore New Zealand to keep its eyes on the abducted flotilla participants to keep our whānau safe. We demand that the New Zealand government does everything in its power to protect them.” Flotilla organisers demand release The abducted participants are being taken to a port in Israeli-occupied Palestine. The Global Sumud Flotilla organisers have demanded the immediate, unconditional release of all the participants, alongside the more than 9000 “unjustly detained Palestinian political prisoners facing a codified regime of state-sanctioned terror”. GSF has also called on world leaders to demand the release of the flotilla participants, the release of the Palestinian political prisoners and hostages and an end to the genocide and blockade on Gaza. Meanwhile, the Global Humanitarian Convoy has been blocked on the outskirts of Sirte in Libya while attempting to reach Gaza. This is despite the unambiguity of the Fourth Geneva Convention: all parties are obligated to allow the free passage of humanitarian aid and personnel. “The international community must act now and protect the lives of the vulnerable,” said the GSF. “Blocking humanitarian aid is a violation of international law both at sea and on land. “Our governments must speak up.” 10 countries condemn Israel Al Jazeera reports that several countries have condemned the Israeli attacks on the aid flotilla. The foreign ministers of Turkïye, Spain, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Colombia, Libya, and the Maldives released a joint statement, describing Israeli forces’ actions as “blatant violations of international law and international humanitarian law”. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128038" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-soldiers-AJ-GSF-680wide.png" alt="Israeli soldiers board a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla vessel and hold the crew at gunpoint" width="680" height="481" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-soldiers-AJ-GSF-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-soldiers-AJ-GSF-680wide-300x212.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-soldiers-AJ-GSF-680wide-100x70.png 100w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-soldiers-AJ-GSF-680wide-594x420.png 594w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Israeli soldiers board a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid flotilla vessel and hold the crew at gunpoint. Image: Al Jazeera/Global Sumud Flotilla This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
New bid to tackle Papua New Guinea’s chronic lack of women MPs
Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A new law in Papua New Guinea, requiring a political parties to meet a quota for fielding women candidates, is being described as a step in the right direction, but maybe not far enough. The new elections rule that women must make up 10 percent of parties’ endorsed
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A new law in Papua New Guinea, requiring a political parties to meet a quota for fielding women candidates, is being described as a step in the right direction, but maybe not far enough. The new elections rule that women must make up 10 percent of parties’ endorsed candidates was recently announced by Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates Commission (IPPCC). The law is an affirmative action aimed at trying to address the chronic lack of women as elected representatives in the country. READ MORE: Other women in PNG politics reports There are currently three women MPs in PNG’s 111-seat Parliament. Since the country gained independence 50 years ago, only 10 women have been elected MPs. Persistent cultural norms continue to disadvantage women, but attitudes are slowly changing. Yet to be tested A PNG academic specialising in gender equity in governance, Dr Orovu Sepoe, who is also a former chair of the commission, said Parliament passed the law but it has yet to be tested. “We’ll wait and see how it turns out in the 2027 election. As an affirmative direction, it’s good, but could have been thought out carefully,” she said. “There are other issues. How many political parties will actually actively seek out women candidates? They’re not very good at doing that for women candidates in the PNG context.” Dr Sepoe said that the law’s compliance measures could mean it has limited impact. The penalties for parties who fail the quota in consecutive elections are de-registration and a fine of 5000 kina (about NZ$1900), which she admitted was “peanuts” for the main political parties. “There is a catch here that I thought might present challenges because the penalties will only apply after two consecutive elections, rather than just one, rather than straight away,” she said, noting that a general election takes place only every five years. Dr Orovu Sepoe . . . admits the 5000 kina fine is “peanuts” for the main political parties. Image: PNG Council of Churches Party leaders People’s Reform Party leader and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird said the rule was a good idea, indicating the main parties should have no trouble complying. “I think everyone complies, all the political parties comply. In the case of my party, we’re running about 30 candidates, and so three of those will definitely be women, in order to comply,” Bird said. Social Democratic Party leader Powes Parkop also said his party would meet, if not exceed, the threshold. Parkop, who is also chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, described the rule as a positive discrimination measure, saying it was a welcome step, even if temporary. “We need to take all steps necessary towards achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, and more importantly, creating a environment by which we can overcome all the barriers that impede women from having a equal playing field to be able to contest with everybody else, men especially, to have a chance to be elected to National Parliament,” he said. Rai Coast MP Kessy Sawang . . . highest ranking woman MP in the current PNG Parliament as Minister of Labour. Image: United Nations Compensation Commission Parkop said whether other parties follow the rule would depend on their selection processes, acknowledging that women are disadvantaged at every level of the political process. “The reality in PNG is that everything is tough against women in PNG, especially having access to resources, financial resources, is hard for them, and culturally they are not seen as leaders, or traditionally not playing that leadership role.” Unfinished business PNG’s Parliament has grappled with affirmative action on gender equality in politics before. Back in 2011, a proposal to create 22 reserved seats for women in the Haus Tambaran gained limited support among PNG’s “big men” of politics, and subsequent other attempts got nowhere. “It is still an unfinished agenda, as far as I’m concerned, at the moment,” Dr Sepoe said. “In the recent past, we’ve not had the political will to make it come into effect, so that’s where we are now. “There have been talks, there have been conversations, discussions about doing a lot more, but we’re only a year away from the election, and how much time do we have to bring any substantive changes for special seats in parliament?” In the past two general elections in PNG, women made up only around five percent of overall candidates. The fact that it resulted in less than three percent of MPs elected being women is telling. This new quota rule may be a small step, but in PNG any step towards addressing the gender imbalance in Parliament is better than nothing. Parkop said the move may not change the entire dynamics, but it is a step in the right direction. “And that’s what PNG needs. We need to create a step by which we can enable women to have an opportunity to be elected.” This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
North Korea’s Football Team Returns to South Korea After 8 Years
Xi-Trump talks cast fresh spotlight on Taiwan as part of China’s maritime strategy
Analysts say Beijing views both Taiwan and the South China Sea as integral to strategic rivalry with U.S.
Chinese President Xi Jinping used his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week to reiterate that Taiwan remains the most sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations, and analysts told Radio Free Asia that the Taiwan issue will be front and center according to Beijing’s latest Five-Year plan. During talks in Beijing, Xi warned Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to “clashes and even conflicts” and urged Washington to “exercise extra caution” over arms sales to Taiwan, according to Chinese state media and media reports following the summit. Xi’s statements, combined with concepts outlined in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, released in March, suggest Beijing increasingly sees Taiwan and the South China Sea as part of a connected strategic theater tied to regional security, maritime control and long-term competition with Washington, the analysts said. Mainland communist China considers democratic Taiwan to be a rogue province and Beijing appears to be entering “a phase of taking more concrete steps to accelerate the push for reunification,” William Yang, a Northeast Asia analyst at the Belgium-based International Crisis Group think tank, told RFA. A restaurant in Taipei on May 14, 2026 shows the meeting between the U.S. President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing. (I-Hwa Cheng/AFP) “While the Communist Party still mentioned peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait, they have connected the mission of ‘reunification’ to the goal of achieving national modernization, suggesting that Beijing wants to start making more concrete progress on the issue of unification with Taiwan,” he said, talking about the content of the Five-Year Plan. Maritime strategy The plan reflects a leadership increasingly concerned about “uncertainty and instability” in the global environment while seeking to strengthen Beijing’s position around Taiwan and the South China Sea, according to a new report by the U.S.-based think tank Foreign Policy Research Institute, or FPRI. The report described growing Chinese efforts to strengthen control over nearby maritime areas, including renewed island-building activity at Antelope Reef in the South China Sea. Yang said Beijing increasingly viewed Taiwan and the South China Sea through the same strategic lens. “China certainly views the Taiwan and South China Sea theater as closely connected, so its strategic planning and preparation around Taiwan and the South China Sea should also be viewed as highly relevant,” Yang said. “Beijing’s activities around Taiwan and the South China Sea should be viewed as part of its larger efforts to strengthen its posture and expand its presence and control across the critical sea lanes and maritime choke points.” He added that Washington’s own assessment of China’s intentions was evolving. “The longstanding, dominant narrative in Washington regarding China’s calculation and plan for Taiwan and the South China Sea has always been that Beijing is seeking to assert its dominance over Taiwan and the South China Sea to achieve its hegemonic ambition in the Indo-Pacific region,” Yang said. “However, the U.S. intelligence service already came out to overthrow that assessment earlier this year by arguing that they don’t think China would be looking to invade Taiwan by 2027.” Speaking after meeting Xi, Trump said the two sides had “talked a lot about Taiwan” but said he had made no commitments to Beijing. He also declined to say whether the United States would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. Trump further described a pending U.S. arms package for Taiwan as “a very good negotiating chip,” prompting concern in Taiwan over whether Washington’s support could become tied to broader negotiations with Beijing. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te later defended U.S. arms purchases as “the most important deterrent” against regional instability, while Taiwan officials stressed there had been no change in longstanding U.S. policy toward the island. Strategy of strength Rather than signaling a dramatic strategic shift, the Five-Year Plan represents a more systematic effort to strengthen China’s position over time, Sylwia M. Gorska, a Ph.D candidate in international relations at the University of Lancashire in the United Kingdom, told RFA. “The underlying priorities remain largely consistent: securing China’s maritime periphery, reducing vulnerability to external pressure, and limiting the ability of the United States and its allies to constrain Chinese influence close to the mainland,” Gorska said. She said Beijing increasingly appeared focused on “steadily strengthening its position across contested waters” through coast guard operations, maritime militia activity and persistent military pressure below the threshold of open conflict. China's President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump arrive to attend a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 14, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP) “There does appear to be a closer linkage emerging between Beijing’s Taiwan strategy and its posture in the South China Sea,” Gorska said, noting that the trend was visible in Beijing’s confrontations with the Philippines around Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed Spratly Islands chain, as well as in the growing Chinese naval and air activity around Taiwan. “The issue is not only territorial control, but also the creation of conditions that could complicate external military responses during a future regional crisis.” The FPRI report also argued that Beijing’s growing emphasis on instability and “security” suggested the Chinese Communist Party increasingly saw strategic opportunity in a distracted United States and a fragmented international environment. U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One during his departure from Beijing on May 15, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP) It said China was likely to continue promoting its “Community of Common Destiny” vision and broader governance initiatives through multilateral institutions including the United Nations. Gorska cautioned against viewing China’s strategic moves as preparing for an inevitable conflict. “Beijing still appears more focused on expanding its leverage, constraining U.S. freedom of maneuver, and improving its long-term position than on triggering a near-term war,” Gorska said. Edited by Eugene Whong. This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by Taejun Kang for RFA.
What will become of ISIS-tied families in al-Hawl?
What will become of ISIS-tied families in al-Hawl? This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Santiago Montag.
Lesson from the Iran War #42,765: Making enemies makes us poorer
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens to President Donald Trump talk to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343591" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/iran-war-making-enemies-makes-us-poorer/president-trump-signs-executive-orders-in-the-oval-office-of-the-white-house-2" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"10","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"Canon EOS R5m2","caption":"WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 25: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens to President Donald Trump talk to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Furthering his federal takeover of the capital city\u2019s law enforcement, Trump signed orders ending cashless bail in the District of Columbia, mandating prosecution for people who desecrate the American flag -- including by burning it -- and other orders. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1756120779","copyright":"2025 Getty Images","focal_length":"200","iso":"12800","shutter_speed":"0.008","title":"President Trump Signs Executive Orders In The Oval Office Of The White House","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="President Trump Signs Executive Orders In The Oval Office Of The White House" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens to President Donald Trump talk to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> Pete Hegseth's live action video games come at a big cost, not just in lives, but in budget dollars
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens to President Donald Trump talk to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343591" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/iran-war-making-enemies-makes-us-poorer/president-trump-signs-executive-orders-in-the-oval-office-of-the-white-house-2" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"10","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"Canon EOS R5m2","caption":"WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 25: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens to President Donald Trump talk to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Furthering his federal takeover of the capital city\u2019s law enforcement, Trump signed orders ending cashless bail in the District of Columbia, mandating prosecution for people who desecrate the American flag -- including by burning it -- and other orders. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1756120779","copyright":"2025 Getty Images","focal_length":"200","iso":"12800","shutter_speed":"0.008","title":"President Trump Signs Executive Orders In The Oval Office Of The White House","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="President Trump Signs Executive Orders In The Oval Office Of The White House" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens to President Donald Trump talk to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2232038596-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> This article originally appeared on Dean Baker’s Patreon. It is reprinted here with permission. Our Secretary of Defense (or War) Pete Hegseth seems to be having a really great time killing people in Iran, but his live action video games come at a big cost, not just in lives, but in budget dollars. To be clear, the main reason to be opposed to this pointless war is its impact on the people of Iran and elsewhere in the region. But it also has a huge economic cost that is seriously underappreciated. The short-term cost is the shortage of oil, natural gas, fertilizers, and other items that would ordinarily travel through the Straits of Hormuz. This shortage has already sent prices of many items soaring. The impact is not just on the goods themselves, but there is a large secondary impact due to higher shipping costs, and if fertilizer supplies are not resumed soon, higher food prices, due to lower crop yields. This is a big hit to people in wealthy countries, but it is life-threatening to people living on the edge in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. But in addition to the short-term cost, there is also a longer-term cost insofar as we are making new enemies and therefore will have higher bills for military spending long into the future. We already got the first taste of this as the Trump administration floated the idea of a $200 billion special appropriation to cover the cost of the war. The Military is Really Big Bucks There is remarkably little appreciation of how much money is at stake with wars and the military. This is because the media have a deliberate policy of uninformative budget reporting. They just write huge numbers in the millions or billions, knowing they are completely meaningless to almost everyone who sees them. It would be virtually costless to provide some context for these numbers, for example, expressing them as a percentage of the budget. That would take any competent reporter ten seconds and add maybe ten words to a news article. This would tell you that the $200 billion (2.7% of the budget) Trump wants for his Iran war is a relatively big deal, while the $550 million (0.008% of the budget) Trump saved us by defunding public broadcasting was not. It is striking to see that Congress might be willing to quickly cough up this money when it has refused far smaller sums that could have made a huge difference in the lives of tens of millions of people. For example, the extension of the Covid relief enhancement of the Earned Income Tax Credit would have cost around $40 billion (0.6% of the budget) annually. Extending the more generous Obamacare subsidies would have cost $27 billion (0.4% of the budget) annually. And it is important to remember that these increased costs are not likely to be just a one-year expenditure. The military budget was 3.0% of GDP in 2001, before the war in Afghanistan, and projected to fall to 2.7% over the next several years. Instead, we got the Afghan War followed by the invasion of Iraq. By 2010, spending was up to 4.6% of GDP. The difference between actual and projected spending comes to almost 2.0% of GDP, or more than $600 billion annually in today’s economy. The Peace Dividend In contrast to the Trump administration’s efforts to seek enemies, in the 1980s and 1990s, the United States looked to diffuse tensions with the Soviet Union and saved a huge amount of money on military spending as a result. Military spending hit a post-Vietnam War peak of 6.1% of GDP in 1986. It then fell sharply as Presidents Reagan and Bush I negotiated arms control agreements with the Soviet Union. It was down to 4.7% of GDP in fiscal 1992, when the Soviet Union collapsed. It continued to fall through the 1990s, when the United States faced no major enemies. At that point, Russia was actually a limited ally. There were many people in the foreign policy establishment who wanted to keep it that way, looking to accommodate post-Soviet Russia in a post-Cold War world. Instead, we took the direction of expanding NATO eastward, incorporating the former East Bloc countries into NATO, starting with Hungary. Eventually, all the former East Bloc countries were added to NATO, and then former Soviet republics such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were added. In 2008, George W. Bush pushed for the addition of Ukraine and Georgia as well. It is worth noting that it was not pre-ordained that NATO would be expanded eastward. NATO was formed as an anti-Soviet alliance. With the Soviet Union out of business, it was reasonable to think that NATO would be disbanded. This was not just the dream of fringe peaceniks; many fully credentialled cold warriors also argued against expanding NATO eastward. This list includes Jack Matlock and Richard Pipes, both of whom held high-level positions under Reagan. It also included George Kennan, the godfather of the Cold War doctrine of containment. Even Henry Kissinger opposed including Ukraine in NATO. It’s not clear whether Russia would have developed into a hostile state and potential enemy if NATO had not continued to exist and expand Eastward. We can all share our speculations on that counterfactual, but one thing that is not debatable is that having a major enemy is costly. The Iran Nuclear Deal and Trump’s War President Obama negotiated an agreement to restrain Iran from developing nuclear weapons in 2015. While there were issued raised with the monitoring of the deal, rather than trying to work through these problems, Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018. That decision, along with Biden’s failure to restore the agreement, created the conditions under which a second Trump administration, could be push by Benjamin Netanyahu into this war. The war has already proved incredibly costly for the country and the world, and the costs could well go far higher. But apart from this war, Trump seems determined to raise military spending even further. He has said he wants the country to spend 5 percent of GDP, or $1.5 trillion a year, on the military. This comes to $12,000 per household. That’s real money. That is a lot of money to spend for no obvious reason. It means less money for healthcare, childcare, education, and many other items that people care about. The question people should be asking is who is this spending supposed to defend us against? Perhaps Trump has Russia in mind, but he is supposed to be good buddies with Putin. Besides, Russia’s GDP is less than a quarter the size of the U.S. economy. Do we really need to spend an amount that is more than 20% of Russia’s GDP to protect us against them? Can our military be that inefficient and corrupt? Maybe Trump is thinking of China. That would be a problem, since China’s economy is already one-third larger than ours and growing far more rapidly. If Trump’s plan is to have a New Cold War with China, that is one we are likely to lose, especially since he just told all our allies to go to hell. As with the Iran War, Trump’s push towards a newly militarized economy does not seem well-considered. Or at least it doesn’t seem well-considered as a defense strategy. If the point is to put taxpayer dollars into the pockets of his family and friends, it can work out just fine. Until there is evidence otherwise, we should assume this is Trump’s real agenda for his big military budget. In addition to reducing our security and jeopardizing the well-being of people around the world, Donald Trump’s belligerence will cost us a huge amount of money. But at least his family and friends will get even richer. Who knows, maybe he will even get the Nobel Peace Prize this year. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Dean Baker.
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Photojournalist kettled while covering protest near NYC synagogue
Photojournalist Neil Constantine was held in a police kettle while covering a protest in New York, New York, on May 5, 2026.The protest was taking place near a synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that was holding an event to promote real estate sa...
Photojournalist Neil Constantine was held in a police kettle while covering a protest in New York, New York, on May 5, 2026. The protest was taking place near a synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that was holding an event to promote real estate sales in Israel and Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the latter of which are widely believed to violate international law. The New York City Police Department formed a buffer zone around the synagogue, prohibiting access to the block it was located on and directing pro-Palestinian and a smaller group of pro-Israel protesters, as well as press, onto surrounding avenues, according to news reports and journalists who spoke to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Constantine, who was freelancing for NurPhoto Agency and whose New York City press credential was clearly visible, told the Tracker that at one point, NYPD officers suddenly barricaded a sidewalk on nearby Third Avenue. The officers pushed metal barricades into protesters to prevent them from accessing an area that had previously been open. Members of the press were standing behind the officers, documenting the police actions. In a video Constantine posted on Instagram, uniformed police and plainclothes public information officers can be seen placing metal barricades around a group of press, separating them from the area where the NYPD was pushing protesters back. In the video, Constantine can be heard saying, “This is kettling,” and “We are being blocked in here right now.” View post on Instagram Constantine told the Tracker that when journalists asked to leave the area, they were either told that they couldn’t, or were given conflicting instructions about where to go by officers who were within a few feet of one another. In addition, the officers wouldn’t answer their questions about why they were keeping them there. He said they were kept in the kettle for around 15 minutes. The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment. This content originally appeared on U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database and was authored by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database.
Livestreamer arrested during May Day protests in downtown LA
Livestreamer Gonzalo Gonzalez was arrested and charged with failure to disperse while documenting workers’ rights and immigration protests in Los Angeles, California, on May 1, 2026.Thousands rallied in downtown LA for International Workers’ Day as par...
Livestreamer Gonzalo Gonzalez was arrested and charged with failure to disperse while documenting workers’ rights and immigration protests in Los Angeles, California, on May 1, 2026. Thousands rallied in downtown LA for International Workers’ Day as part of nationwide “May Day Strong” demonstrations that also called for an end to the war in Iran and the immigration raids that have swept the city since June 2025. Gonzalez, who broadcasts live and publishes videos through his YouTube channel EastLos Audits, told the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker that he arrived shortly before noon to document a planned rally in front of City Hall. After around 30-45 minutes, LA Police Department officers arrived, establishing a skirmish line. “I went live from that point, and they started pushing the crowd on Spring Street toward the front of City Hall,” he said. “I stayed live for about an hour or so, and I got behind the police line, the scrimmage line, because I already know: If I’m in front of it, I’m going to get shoved and pushed, and I don’t want to do that.” Gonzalez, who doesn’t carry press credentials, told the Tracker that he identified himself as media to the officers, who recognized and treated him as such. Officers ultimately pushed the crowd of protesters back to clear an employee entrance for a nearby courthouse, and the demonstrators then marched out of the area, Gonzalez said. He ended his live reporting and left once the police dispersed their skirmish line. Several hours later, the livestreamer was in his vehicle and ready to end his reporting day when he heard over his police scanner that officers were planning to corral demonstrators near the Metropolitan Detention Center, where immigrant detainees are being held and which has been a focal point for protests over the past year. “When I got there, they already had the crowd pushed out on Alameda,” Gonzalez said, referring to the street in front of the detention center. “So again, I get behind the skirmish line, and there’s a lot of media there. But in front of the skirmish line, there’s media too.” Gonzalez said he continued to identify himself as press, complying when an officer directed him to cross the street and then back again, as she looked for a way to have him join other journalists covering the protest. He continued to broadcast live as officers began to corral the crowd. “I started documenting all that, and I want to get as close as I can so I can document, because I don’t just want to catch video, I also want to catch audio, to hear what they’re saying,” Gonzalez told the Tracker. “I get on the street because I can get a better view and audio from the street, which is only, I would say, about three or four feet off the sidewalk.” Despite other members of the press being permitted to walk in the street — which officers had shut down — a lieutenant approached Gonzalez and ordered him to get back onto the sidewalk. Gonzalez told the Tracker he tried to explain to the officer that he was just documenting, but was told that he was too close to the officers’ emergency scene. He compiled, asking the officer his name while stepping backward and onto the sidewalk. “I understand that we have the right to be there,” Gonzalez told the Tracker. “And again, I can see media, mainstream media, on the street. So it irritated me that he wanted us on the sidewalk. “So I was being a little bit of a jerk back, I’m not going to lie,” he said. As his interaction with the lieutenant became more heated, the officer directed another to arrest Gonzalez and take him in. He told the Tracker that he was initially informed that he was going to be charged with obstruction, but his citation lists his violation as a failure to disperse. A subclause of that part of the California penal code specifically exempts journalists from unlawful assembly dispersal, protects them from interference or obstruction by law enforcement, and bars them from being charged with failure to disperse, curfew violations or resisting arrest. At least four other journalists were detained in the kettle Gonzalez was documenting, one of whom — independent photojournalist Nick Stern — was arrested but later released without charges. Gonzalez said he was held in police custody for a little over two hours before he was released, and a hearing in his case is scheduled for May 27. The LAPD did not immediately return a request for comment from the Tracker, but in a statement posted on May 1, it wrote: “The Los Angeles Police Department fully supports the rights of individuals to peacefully assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights.” In an earlier statement following the March 28 “No Kings” rally — which resulted in more than two dozen press freedom violations — Chief Jim McDonnell said that any use of force or allegations of mistreatment involving media members would be investigated and addressed. “The LAPD recognizes the media’s right to cover events and makes reasonable efforts to accommodate, with those efforts consistent with our primary duty to maintain public safety and order,” that statement said. This content originally appeared on U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database and was authored by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database.
The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 19, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 19, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 19, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
How The Cartels Are Winning the Digital Drug War | Proton Data Wars | VICE News
DR Congo/Uganda Ebola outbreak: the search for patient zeroMyanmar hunger crisis deepens, EU boosts aid via WFPWorld trade wavers as Middle East crisis remains unresolved
DR Congo/Uganda Ebola outbreak: the search for patient zeroMyanmar hunger crisis deepens, EU boosts aid via WFPWorld trade wavers as Middle East crisis remains unresolved This content originally appeared on UN News - Global perspective Human stories and was authored by Daniel Johnson.
Linda Sarsour on San Diego mosque shooting, anti-Muslim hate
CPJ, partners call on Gulf states to end crackdown on information
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 26 other organizations in calling on Gulf states to end their attacks on the free flow of information. The Iran war has sparked a sweeping new crackdown across the Gulf, as governments move to control what their populations can see, say, and share about the attacks unfolding in their...
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 26 other organizations in calling on Gulf states to end their attacks on the free flow of information. The Iran war has sparked a sweeping new crackdown across the Gulf, as governments move to control what their populations can see, say, and share about the attacks unfolding in their own cities. The crackdown has directly targeted journalists and media workers. In Kuwait, US-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was detained for 52 days, and later his citizenship — and that of his two sisters — was revoked. In Bahrain, photographer Sayed Baqer Al-Kamel was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Cases of brief detention have also been reported in the UAE and Qatar. The UAE’s public prosecutor has also blocked access to several X accounts, including that of Saudi state-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya. The joint statement calls on Gulf governments to release all individuals detained solely for filming, posting, or sharing footage of the attacks — including journalists —, uphold the right to freedom of expression and press freedom, and repeal all laws that criminalize legitimate expression. Read the full statement here. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
Workers have a secret weapon against the AI build-out
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Gas turbines are visible at an xAI data center on Riverport Rd in Memphis, TN on April 25, 2025. Photo by Brandon Dill for The Washington Post via Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343570" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/workers-have-a-secret-weapon-against-the-ai-build-out/memphismusk" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"The Washington Post via Getty Im","camera":"NIKON D850","caption":"MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 25: Gas turbines are visible at an xAI data center on Riverport Rd in Memphis, TN on April 25, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Dill for The Washington Post via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1745595870","copyright":"2025 The Washington Post","focal_length":"200","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.000625","title":"MEMPHISMUSK","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="MEMPHISMUSK" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Gas turbines are visible at an xAI data center on Riverport Rd in Memphis, TN on April 25, 2025. Photo by Brandon Dill for The Washington Post via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> The AI build-out depends on gas turbines and power transformers made by a handful of workers at a handful of plants in the US South. That bottleneck is a vulnerability — and a rare opportunity for labor to exercise real power over the tech giants.
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Gas turbines are visible at an xAI data center on Riverport Rd in Memphis, TN on April 25, 2025. Photo by Brandon Dill for The Washington Post via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343570" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/workers-have-a-secret-weapon-against-the-ai-build-out/memphismusk" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"5.6","credit":"The Washington Post via Getty Im","camera":"NIKON D850","caption":"MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 25: Gas turbines are visible at an xAI data center on Riverport Rd in Memphis, TN on April 25, 2025. (Photo by Brandon Dill for The Washington Post via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1745595870","copyright":"2025 The Washington Post","focal_length":"200","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.000625","title":"MEMPHISMUSK","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="MEMPHISMUSK" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Gas turbines are visible at an xAI data center on Riverport Rd in Memphis, TN on April 25, 2025. Photo by Brandon Dill for The Washington Post via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2217198328-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="629" height="169" data-attachment-id="271557" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/its-apartheid-naked-unabashed-apartheid/jacobin-logo" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jacobin-logo.jpg?fit=629%2C169&ssl=1" data-orig-size="629,169" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1620904940","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="jacobin-logo" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jacobin-logo.jpg?fit=629%2C169&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jacobin-logo.jpg?resize=629%2C169&ssl=1" alt="Jacobin logo" class="wp-image-271557 size-full" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jacobin-logo.jpg?w=629&ssl=1 629w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jacobin-logo.jpg?resize=300%2C81&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jacobin-logo.jpg?resize=400%2C107&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/jacobin-logo.jpg?w=370&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 629px) 100vw, 629px" /> This story originally appeared in Jacobin on May 11, 2026. It is shared here with permission. We’re really going into what we believe is the early chapters of an investment supercycle in the US for electricity growth,” Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, told Barron’s during an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year. “If you take a step back, we probably haven’t seen an analogous period of time like this since 1945.” The AI build-out being undertaken at lightning speed is big business for companies like GE Vernova, which, along with Siemens Energy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, supply over 75 percent of the world’s gas turbines. GE Vernova’s equipment alone supplies 25 percent of the world’s electricity, and a staggering 55 percent in the United States. In the first quarter of this year, the company racked up $2.4 billion in sales related to orders for data centers, more than total sales for the previous year. Orders for gas turbines are booked out into 2030. In February, Siemens Energy announced it was investing $1 billion to expand its production of grid equipment in response to soaring demand for electrification, including restarting production of gas turbines at a plant in Charlotte, North Carolina, which had stopped producing them in 2020. Hitachi Energy invested $37 million to expand an existing facility in South Boston, Virginia, that produces large power transformers — another key piece of equipment in meeting the energy demands of the AI build-out. The company has invested over $1.5 billion into its transformer business alone. Like the gas turbine business, more than 50 percent of the large power transformer market is controlled by the same three companies, alongside Hitachi Energy and Toshiba Energy Systems. Even beyond these key suppliers, AI investment propped up an otherwise anemic economy, accounting for anywhere from half to 75 percent of GDP in the first quarter of this year. The windfall of profits for these manufacturers, however, reflects a severe supply crunch for these critical pieces of equipment, with both gas turbine and large power transformer orders backed up for years and associated costs rising. These pieces of machinery are generally made to order and are incredibly capital- and labor-intensive, taking over a year to deliver after an order is placed. The supply strain is so severe that the White House is considering bumping orders for GE Vernova turbines from other countries to move up US-based hyperscalers in their place. What industry publications warn is a growing “hardware bottleneck” that threatens to limit the AI build-out and the ensuing profit-making for many corporations and Wall Street speculators could be a key point at which workers can leverage power in the living struggle breaking out around AI and its quickly expanding impacts on conditions for the working class, the climate, and government. The Destruction of Labor Power? In a 2021 blog post, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman mused that his work at the company reminded him daily of “the magnitude of the socioeconomic change that is coming sooner than most people believe. Software that can think and learn will do more and more of the work that people now do. Even more power will shift from labor to capital.” Left to their own devices, the likes of Altman and the other titans of the tech billionaire elite would like nothing more than to remake society into one where all else is subservient to their profit margins. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is currently on a fundraising spree to bring in $100 billion to Project Prometheus, of which he is the co-CEO. Describing itself as a “manufacturing transformation vehicle,” the fund aims to buy up, hollow out, and implement AI and other forms of automation across manufacturing firms in various sectors. Linking the broader fight against AI with worker organizing efforts at key choke points in the data center supply chain is a critical strategy and a potent weapon. This future is being actively contested on multiple fronts. Communities across the country have banded together to fight the construction of data centers in their towns and have won moratoriums blocking future construction in others. Unions are beginning to bargain around AI and workers are developing tactics to fend off the impacts of AI in an increasing number of workplaces. In 2024, automation, though not directly related to AI, was a central issue of the three-day strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) that shut down ports across the East and Gulf Coasts. The impacts, however, are already being felt. Young people entering the workforce face a particularly bleak job market. The Dallas Federal Reserve reports that “workers age 22 to 25 in the most AI-exposed occupations have experienced a 13 percent decline in employment since 2022.” Unemployment rates among young people and recent college graduates are the highest in years. This comes alongside grim warnings from the AI architects themselves on the massively disruptive impact AI may quickly have on a wide range of industries, though particularly among white-collar workers. In 2024, Elon Musk announced that he would build the largest supercomputing facility in the world in Southwest Memphis — the facility, called Colossus, was built with no public input whatsoever. Powered by thirty-five gas turbines, this facility emits more pollution into a nearby black community at one time than the levels of pollution emitted from the Memphis International Airport, according to Memphis Community Against Pollution. Musk was recently awarded a permit to build a second facility nearby. Memphis, a majority black city, has been particularly targeted by the right-wing billionaire class. National Guard troops and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were mobilized to the city by the Trump administration, and it was just split apart in redistricting efforts to deprive the city of political representation and hand another congressional seat to the Republicans. Data centers across the country are driving up power bills, using tremendous amounts of water and causing related water quality issues, emitting pollution from turbines and other machinery, and even causing illness among those living nearby. With eye-popping amounts of capital at their disposal — and plans to increase their investments — the Big Tech companies show no signs of stopping the rapid build-out and their attempts to integrate AI into as many parts of the economy and our lives as possible. Linking the broader fight against AI with worker organizing efforts at key choke points in the data center supply chain is a critical strategy and a potent weapon. AI’s Limiting Factor: Electricity Agas turbine is a colossal machine. Weighing in at more than 400 tons and measuring nearly fifty feet long, a single turbine can generate enough electricity to power a modestly sized city, or between 100 and 400 megawatts. Faced with order backlogs, many manufacturers and hyperscalers are opting for smaller turbines, called aeroderivatives, that are essentially jet engines repurposed for energy generation. “[Energy] is the bottleneck,” NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang told Joe Rogan during an interview in late 2025, adding emphasis on “the.” The industry analysis firm Industrial Info Resources (IIR) reports that around $2.4 trillion in AI data center development is currently underway in the United States. The power needs of these data centers have continued to increase. IIR reports that electricity demand in the United States has “risen from roughly 23 GW of new load in 2023 to about 42 GW today, with another 32 GW under construction.” By comparison, in 2024, data centers consumed 24 GW of energy. IIR estimates that by 2030, new load demand may reach around 90 GW, if not higher. Hyperscalers have few options available to them to quickly meet these energy needs besides gas turbines and large power transformers. Many companies are scrambling to develop nuclear small modular reactors (SMR), but that technology is likely still years away from being readily deployed. Increasingly, battery production capacity — spurred by policies and investments by the Biden administration primarily to assist electric vehicle (EV) production, which were subsequently nixed under Donald Trump — is being redirected toward producing energy storage solutions for the growing power needs of data centers. Power generation and distribution are thus key sites of struggle for workers to exercise power in the battle over AI and its potentially wide-ranging impacts on work, life, the environment, and government. Not only are these machines in high demand and capital- and labor-intensive, but they are also manufactured domestically in only a few locations. GE Vernova’s main gas turbine production facility is located in Greenville, South Carolina, with over 2,500 workers; Siemens Energy’s main production facility is in Charlotte, North Carolina, with around 1,500 workers; and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ main plant is in Savannah, Georgia, with over 500 workers. Large power transformer production is clustered in a similar geographic area, with key plants like Hitachi, Prolec GE, Siemens (at the same facility that produces gas turbines), and Eaton, among others, located from southern Virginia through North Carolina and into Upstate South Carolina. Production of various input components and other production related to the grid is also fairly concentrated in this same general geography. Because these critical machines are manufactured in so few locations, and those locations are clustered together, any disruptions to production would have cascading and wide-ranging impacts, giving workers powerful leverage over the AI build-out. Power generation and distribution are key sites of struggle for workers to exercise power in the battle over AI. In addition to direct outreach to workers in this sector and at these key facilities, capital investment in these plants means many are or will soon be hiring. For the last two years, the Southern Workers Assembly (SWA) — where I serve as organizing coordinator — has been recruiting workers through its Rank and File Program to get jobs in strategic industries to organize. The primary focus of this effort to date has been the electric vehicle and battery supply chain. As a result, in-plant organizers are now rooted at key facilities and are building out a network across the sector, connecting committee-building efforts across the region rather than confining organizing activity to a workplace-by-workplace basis. Recruitment and committee building are ongoing. Another area of work is now emerging to build out a similar network of worker militants engaged in committee-building efforts and connected together through an industrial network in power generation production. With the stage set for a general strike on May Day 2028, the role this sector of workers could play in exercising power behind a broad set of working-class demands — around AI implementation and automation, for the climate, and for redistribution of the exorbitant profits of these companies toward social needs — would be quite significant. The United States is the world’s second-largest manufacturing economy by output. Large-scale, capital-intensive plants in heavy manufacturing make for stable, important targets for worker organization. A company that invests $13.9 billion in a brand-new factory (the cost of Toyota’s new EV and hybrid battery plant in North Carolina, for example), is planning on staying put for the long term and obtaining a profitable return on its investment — even if it’s confronted with labor unrest and worker organizing. The massive strikes and organizing sweeps of the 1930s and ’40s rightfully serve as inspiration for worker militants today. There is much to be learned and studied from that period, particularly as it pertains to how workers laid the groundwork for the upsurges and pitched battles that took place by building similar networks of worker militants rooted in key facilities today. But no doubt the social turmoil of the period in general played a large role, as it may now, in opening an opportunity to advance the working-class movement in a more militant and combative direction, focused among the unorganized sections of the class in these simultaneously vulnerable and strategic sectors of the economy. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Ben Carroll.
G7 Finance Ministers Let Big Oil Off the Hook Again
On Monday and Tuesday, Paris hosted the G7 Finance Ministers’ meeting, bringing together finance ministers and central bank governors from some of the world’s most powerful economies, alongside counterparts from Brazil, India, Kenya, South Korea, Ukra...
On Monday and Tuesday, Paris hosted the G7 Finance Ministers’ meeting, bringing together finance ministers and central bank governors from some of the world’s most powerful economies, alongside counterparts from Brazil, India, Kenya, South Korea, Ukraine, Syria, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. But behind the diplomatic pageantry,and despite the G7’s call for innovative financial instruments to urgently address overlapping crises,French host Roland Lescure squandered a major opportunity. While fossil fuel companies raked in billions in profits in the first quarter of 2026 amid the South-West Asia conflict, campaigners at 350.org condemn the French G7 presidency’s glaring inaction on windfall and excess profits taxes targeting the oil and gas industry. Fanny Petitbon, 350 France Country Manager, said: “France has built its G7 presidency on the bold promise to use this forum as a lever to reinforce economic security in times of crisis and to respond to the legitimate concerns of citizens. But fine words ring hollow. When it comes to taxing the obscene profits recently made by oil and gas corporations, Paris chose complete silence. Not a single word appeared in the final communiqué. Once again, the interests of a powerful minority are being protected. Companies like TotalEnergies, which boast of their so-called foresight while doing little more than speculating on war and human suffering, have cashed in billions,while families around the world pay the price at the pump and on their energy bills. The G7’s initiative to expand insurance coverage for people and countries experiencing extreme weather events is welcome. But without turning off the fossil fuel tap and forcing the biggest polluters to foot the bill, climate finance risks becoming little more than taxpayers cleaning up a mess that oil giants are still being paid to create. President Macron has positioned himself as a global leader on climate and economic justice. Yet this silence tells a very different story. Is this really the legacy he wants to leave in his final G7 presidency? The Leaders' Summit, to be held in Évian from June 15 to 17, is the last chance to course-correct and finally choose people over profit.” This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Newswire Editor.
CPJ calls on Israel to release press detained on Gaza-bound flotilla
Beirut, May 19, 2026 —The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Israeli authorities to immediately release all journalists and media workers detained after Israeli forces intercepted vessels from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, and to disclose the location and legal status of those being held. According to organizers, on May 18, Israeli forces began intercepting...
Beirut, May 19, 2026 —The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Israeli authorities to immediately release all journalists and media workers detained after Israeli forces intercepted vessels from the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, and to disclose the location and legal status of those being held. According to organizers, on May 18, Israeli forces began intercepting vessels in international waters near the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, as they attempted to reach Gaza on a humanitarian mission. The flotilla media office told CPJ the following morning that those detained were still being held at sea and had not yet been taken to Israel for deportation, as had occurred in previous attempts to break Israel’s maritime blockade of the Palestinian territory. CPJ has identified at least seven journalists and media workers aboard the flotilla. “Israel’s interception and detention of journalists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla follows years of documented arrests, attacks, and killings of journalists and media workers covering Gaza and attempts to report on it,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “International law is clear that journalists performing legitimate reporting are civilians and must not be arbitrarily detained or obstructed. Israeli authorities must immediately release all detained journalists and end the cycle of impunity surrounding the attacks on the press.” Tempo Media Group, an Indonesian media company, said in a May 19 statement that its reporter Andre Prasetyo Nugroho was among those detained by Israeli forces. . The flotilla departed from Marmaris, Turkey, on May 14 with dozens of vessels and hundreds of participants from multiple countries, according to media reports. CPJ emailed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for comment, and was referred to the foreign ministry, which did not respond to specific inquiries about the detention of journalists and media workers aboard the flotilla. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
Russia adds CPJ to its list of ‘undesirable organizations’
New York, May 19, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists has been included on a Russian government list of “undesirable organizations” — a label used to suppress media outlets, NGOs, and other independent voices that the Kremlin deems a threat to its narrative control. CPJ, which was not notified of the decision or the reasons behind...
New York, May 19, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists has been included on a Russian government list of “undesirable organizations” — a label used to suppress media outlets, NGOs, and other independent voices that the Kremlin deems a threat to its narrative control. CPJ, which was not notified of the decision or the reasons behind it, calls on Russia to reverse the ban. CPJ was added to the Russian Ministry of Justice’s list on May 12, according to the ministry’s website, having been designated “undesirable” by the Russian prosecutor general’s office on April 28. Hundreds of other organizations globally are already on the list, including other press freedom groups and media outlets. “By including the Committee to Protect Journalists on its list of ‘undesirable organizations’, the Kremlin is once again showing its determination to repress journalism and stop Russian citizens from having access to independent information,” said CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg. “Journalism is not a crime, and neither is defending it. CPJ will continue to document Russia’s flagrant violations of press freedom, at home and abroad, to seek accountability for those responsible, and to support independent journalists pushing back against the relentless tide of Kremlin propaganda.” Under a 2015 law, organizations classified as “undesirable” are banned from operating in Russia. The law is particularly threatening to anyone inside Russia seen as cooperating with these organizations or their activities, who can face up to six years in prison and administrative fines. The designation also makes it a crime to distribute the organization’s content or donate to it from inside or outside Russia. CPJ, which does not have any presence in Russia, contacted the Russian Ministry of Justice for comment but did not immediately receive a reply. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
Minnesota Officials Charge ICE Agent Who Shot Venezuelan Immigrant & Falsely Reported What Happened
"Ask E. Jean" Film Profiles the Woman Who Twice Sued Trump & Won, for Sexual Assault & Defamation
3 Killed in Devastating San Diego Mosque Shooting: Linda Sarsour on Rising Anti-Muslim Hate & More
Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 19, 2026
Robert Reich: Has Trump’s Republican Party become a criminal enterprise?
ANALYSIS: By Robert Reich On Saturday, Trump took revenge on Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy for Cassidy’s vote five years ago to convict Trump, in his second impeachment, for instigating an attack on the US Capitol. Cassidy thereby became the first GOP senator defeated by a Trump-endorsed candidate in a Republican primary. (Other Republican senators who
ANALYSIS: By Robert Reich On Saturday, Trump took revenge on Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy for Cassidy’s vote five years ago to convict Trump, in his second impeachment, for instigating an attack on the US Capitol. Cassidy thereby became the first GOP senator defeated by a Trump-endorsed candidate in a Republican primary. (Other Republican senators who have stood up to Trump — such as North Carolina’s Thom Tillis and Utah’s Mitt Romney — saw the writing on the wall and didn’t seek reelection.) Trump’s purge of Cassidy comes in the wake of Trump’s purges of House Republicans who stood up to him, such as Wyoming’s Liz Cheney. READ MORE: Trump says Iran attack held off upon Gulf states’ request Other Donald Trump reports Trump’s next Republican target in the House is Kentucky representative Thomas Massie, who had the guts to oppose US military involvement in Iran, demand release of the Epstein files, and criticise Trump’s spending bills for adding to the national debt. Massie appears likely to be defeated by a Trump-backed opponent in Tuesday’s Kentucky primary. Trump is marshaling the full force of his MAGA machine — spending more than $30 million on a House Republican primary — to purge another of his political enemies from the Republican House. Even Secretary of “War” Pete Hegseth is flying to Kentucky to campaign for Massie’s challenger. It’s all seen as an investment in intimidating and disciplining Republican office-holders who might otherwise think of straying. Trump has also purged state legislators who have refused to do his bidding, such as the seven Indiana Republicans who refused to redistrict the state as Trump demanded they do, and who Trump insured were defeated in their recent primaries. The message is clear to every current or aspiring Republican politician: Be a toady to Trump, or you’re out. In his concession speech Friday night, Cassidy stated the obvious reference to Trump: “Our country is not about one individual. It is about the welfare of all Americans, and it is about our Constitution. “And if someone doesn’t understand that and attempts to control others through using the levers of power, they’re about serving themselves. They’re not about serving us. And that person is not qualified to be a leader.” Nicely put but sadly irrelevant because Trump — who’s clearly serving himself rather than the American public — now possesses all levers of power in the official Republican Party. As Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said yesterday on Meet the Press, “There’s no room in this party to destroy [Trump’s] agenda.” Former generations of Republican politicians had principles, beliefs, ideals. They thought the federal government too large. Or believed it spent too much money. Or was too lenient on criminals. Or was too eager to support the civil rights of Black people. Or any number of issues with which Democrats disagreed. Today’s Republican Party no longer has any purpose other than achieving whatever Trump wants, which is mainly to make Trump richer and more powerful. The GOP is now Trump’s; it is no longer America’s. Today’s Republican voters, by contrast, are showing increasing frustration with Trump. Those who think of themselves as traditional Republicans don’t like Trump’s expansive use of federal power. Those who are fiscally conservative, like Thomas Massie, are upset by Trump’s wanton spending, tax cuts, and soaring debt. “America-first” Republican voters are concerned about Trump’s intrusions into Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and elsewhere. And they want the rest of the Epstein files released. Yet for elected Republicans, survival now depends on personal loyalty to Trump. All of which raises a fundamental question: Has the official Republican Party — now nearly purged of anyone willing to reflect the concerns of Republican voters rather than Trump’s will — become complicit in Trump’s criminality? Is it aiding and abetting Trump’s lawlessness? A case can be made that the official Republican Party is indeed complicit. For Trump, the first and most basic sign of loyalty to him — and therefore survival as a politician in Trump’s Republican Party — is a willingness to publicly proclaim as truth what we know to be two big lies: that Trump won the 2020 election, and that he did not seek to overturn its results by illegal means. As a result, almost all congressional Republicans are now election deniers. Trump has also made it clear that loyalty to him bars any criticism of his unlawful immigration dragnet, which has so far resulted in the murders of three US citizens by ICE agents and the detention and deportation, without a hearing, of people suspected of being in the US illegally. To Trump, loyalty requires full support of his foreign policy — including the abduction of a foreign leader, an undeclared war with Iran, and the killing on the high seas of people only suspected of smuggling drugs, in violation of international law. Loyalty also demands unquestioned support for other of his lawless acts — using the Justice Department to prosecute his political opponents, building a mammoth White House ballroom, issuing no-bid contracts to his friends, promoting his family’s businesses and implementing policies favorable to them, accepting gifts from foreign powers, and defying court orders. Is it fair to conclude from all of this that today’s official Republican Party — the people who are in office because Trump has put them there, or who maintain their office because they back whatever Trump wants — has in effect become a criminal organisation, analogous to the mafia or a drug cartel, whose members are blindly loyal to their criminal bosses? Robert Reich is a US professor, former Secretary of Labor, co-founder of Inequality Media and writes at robertreich.substack.com This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
State prosecutors in Minnesota have filed criminal charges against an ICE officer who allegedly shot a Venezuelan immigrant in north Minneapolis in January, then lied about what happened. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Monday...
State prosecutors in Minnesota have filed criminal charges against an ICE officer who allegedly shot a Venezuelan immigrant in north Minneapolis in January, then lied about what happened. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Monday that federal agent Christian Castro will face four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime when he allegedly shot Julio Sosa-Celis through a door. Federal authorities have refused to cooperate with the investigation, as well as separate probes into the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Emilia González Avalos, executive director of the Minnesota-based social justice organization Unidos MN, welcomes the charges as a victory for civil society and the rule of law. “That is what democracy looks like. It looks like separation of powers and getting material consequences [for] wrongdoing,” she says. This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
“Ask E. Jean” Film Profiles the Woman Who Twice Sued Trump & Won, for Sexual Assault & Defamation
President Donald Trump is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to toss two verdicts against him resulting from civil litigation brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. In 2019, the famous advice columnist published a memoir describing an encounter in the ...
President Donald Trump is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to toss two verdicts against him resulting from civil litigation brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. In 2019, the famous advice columnist published a memoir describing an encounter in the 1990s when she says Trump sexually assaulted her in a department store. When Trump denied the account, Carroll sued him and won $5 million in damages, with a unanimous New York jury finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. After Trump made disparaging remarks about Carroll, she sued him again and won a second defamation judgment for $83.3 million. Federal courts have upheld both verdicts, but now Trump’s attorneys are asking the Supreme Court to overturn them, asserting he has “absolute immunity” as president. Carroll’s life and her legal fight against Trump are the focus of a new documentary, Ask E. Jean, by award-winning filmmaker Ivy Meeropol. “This is an incredible opportunity for audiences to see what really goes on when a woman brings a case like this, especially against a powerful man,” Meeropol says. This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Two teenage gunmen in California fatally shot three people on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in the city. Among the dead was a security guard — Amin Abdullah, a father of eight — whom police credit with preventin...
Two teenage gunmen in California fatally shot three people on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque in the city. Among the dead was a security guard — Amin Abdullah, a father of eight — whom police credit with preventing more casualties. The 17- and 19-year-old suspects were found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a car near the scene. Police are investigating the attack as a hate crime. The Council on American-Islamic Relations noted the attack comes as anti-Muslim bias complaints reached their highest level since they began tracking them in 1996, with 8,683 complaints filed nationwide. “This is a mosque that has opened its doors to the community,” says Palestinian American activist Linda Sarsour, co-founder of the Muslim rights and advocacy group MPower Change. “This is the epitome of a mosque that shows our true values as Muslims, in community and in solidarity. So, it’s just devastating, and no house of worship should have to ever experience this.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Trump Says He Called Off “A Very Major Attack Tomorrow” to Give Iran Negotiations More Time, U.S. Imposes Entry Ban on Travelers from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan as Ebola Deaths Top 130, World Leaders Condemn Israel’s Abduction of Activists from Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla, Teenage Attackers Kill 3 at San Diego Islamic Center in Suspected Hate Crime, Charges Filed Against ICE Officer Who Shot a Venezuelan Immigrant in Minneapolis, Report: 100,000 Children in U.S. Have Had a Parent Detained in Immigration Crackdown, DOJ Announces $1.776B Fund to Compensate Trump Allies, EPA Proposes to Kill Drinking Water Limits for Four Forever Chemicals, Long Island Rail Road Strike Ends After MTA and Unions Reach Tentative Agreement, NYC Mayor Mamdani Announces City’s First Municipally Owned Grocery Store in the Bronx
Trump Says He Called Off "A Very Major Attack Tomorrow" to Give Iran Negotiations More Time U.S. Imposes Entry Ban on Travelers from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan as Ebola Deaths Top 130 World Leaders Condemn Israel's Abduction of Activists from Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla Teenage Attackers Kill 3 at San Diego Islamic Center in Suspected Hate Crime Charges Filed Against ICE Officer Who Shot a Venezuelan Immigrant in Minneapolis Report: 100,000 Children in U.S. Have Had a Parent Detained in Immigration Crackdown DOJ Announces $1.776B Fund to Compensate Trump Allies EPA Proposes to Kill Drinking Water Limits for Four Forever Chemicals Long Island Rail Road Strike Ends After MTA and Unions Reach Tentative Agreement NYC Mayor Mamdani Announces City's First Municipally Owned Grocery Store in the Bronx This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Democracy Now! Tuesday, May 19, 2026 This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.
This Convicted Felon Gets $1 Million a Year to Sell Obsolete Internet Service. You Pay for It.
The post This Convicted Felon Gets $1 Million a Year to Sell Obsolete Internet Service. You Pay for It. appeared first on ProPublica.
Illustration by Shoshana Gordon/ProPublica At the beginning of his three-year federal prison sentence for felony tax evasion, Roger Shoffstall lost his telephone privileges when a guard caught him running his small Alaska phone company from behind bars. He’s lost a lot of privileges over the years. Shoffstall, 75, can’t serve on a federal jury. Unlike most Alaskans, he doesn’t receive an annual Permanent Fund dividend check. And he is not allowed to own a gun. One thing never changes, however: Each year, the federal government sends his company, Summit Telephone, more than $1 million. The money comes from a special government subsidy program that Congress created to bring fast, affordable phone and internet service to hard-to-reach places. You help pay for it. Pull up your latest phone bill and look for a line labeled “Universal Service Fund.” Some phone companies list it as a “Universal Connectivity Charge” or fold it into a “Regulatory Programs & Telco Recovery Fee.” It’s all the same thing: a surcharge added to the monthly bill of phone customers throughout the United States. The federal government and phone companies don’t call it a tax — but it acts like one. Carriers must currently contribute 37 cents of every dollar of their interstate and international phone revenues to the fund. In Alaska, where many communities can only be reached by plane or boat, the Federal Communications Commission has given telecommunications companies $4.6 billion in these subsidies since 2016. That’s more than $600 per Alaskan per year. More per resident than in any other state. Yet after all that spending, Alaska still ranks near the bottom for access to the very land-based, high-speed internet service the money was meant to deliver. Some communities have yet to be wired at all. In others, fiber-optic cables or microwave towers offer internet with speeds that were recently clocked, statewide, as the slowest in the country. Even with the subsidies, the service comes at a steep price to customers: often hundreds of dollars a month for internet one-tenth what the FCC considers broadband quality. The federal program has kept money flowing to companies like Shoffstall’s whose operators have troubled pasts. It also gives money to companies like Shoffstall’s regardless of how many people use their services. And fewer and fewer Alaskans have done so since low-earth satellites from Starlink entered the market at better prices. (Satellite internet doesn’t qualify for the subsidy but costs about $90 to $130 per month for download speeds up to 280 megabits per second in the same service area as Summit Telephone. According to Summit’s website, its fastest internet plan in the same region maxes out at 25 Mbps and costs $135 a month.) We’re Investigating Alaska Internet Companies. We Need Your Help. Alaskans pay the most for phone and internet but get the slowest service. Please fill out our quick survey to share how much it costs you to get online and what you think of the service. Share Your Experience All of these excesses appear to fall within the program’s rules or the FCC’s discretion. A telecom on the Aleutian island of Adak receives more than $350,000 a year to provide phone and low-speed internet services to 306 buildings, according to FCC records, even though the state Department of Labor says the island is home to fewer than 80 people. One business owner said everyone he knows on the island has moved on to Starlink anyway. GCI, the state’s largest telecom and its largest subsidy recipient, got $466 million just two years after its settlement with the federal government for alleged fraud related to the same subsidy program. (The settlement said it was neither an admission of guilt by GCI nor a concession by the Justice Department that the claims were not well founded.) Shoffstall and his attorney did not respond to repeated interview requests or answer detailed questions sent by email. On Thursday, Shoffstall sent two documents to the Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica asserting that he is a sovereign citizen of the United States, an ideology that the FBI has described as “those who believe that even though they physically reside in this country, they are separate or ‘sovereign’ from the United States.” The FBI has categorized the extremist version of this movement as “domestic terrorism.” Larry Mayes, the owner of Adak Eagle Enterprises, the company that receives the subsidy to provide internet on Adak, declined to answer questions about the funding. “You’ll have to talk to the FCC about that,” he said, hanging up the phone. In a written response to questions, GCI said it and other Alaska telecoms depend heavily on the subsidies to provide services across the state. “Before and after the settlement, GCI continued to work with the FCC and customers to provide high-quality communications services in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations,” the GCI statement said. “The settlement did not change Alaskans’ growing demand for these services, GCI’s willingness to provide them, or the criticality of USF funding to the sustainability of those services.” The FCC did not respond to requests for comment. The agency is weighing the future of the program and recently circulated a proposal to overhaul or potentially sunset elements of the subsidy that funds companies like Summit. Alaska telecom lobbyists and executives said that the state provides some of the most challenging geography to serve in the United States, and that they have made great progress in bringing internet access to Alaska. Christine O’Connor, executive director of the Alaska Telecom Association, said the subsidies have improved access and lowered costs for rural Alaskans. “There is simply no way that rural Alaskan communities could be connected with Anchorage or with the rest of the United States and the world” if consumers living in rural Alaska communities had to pay the full cost, she wrote in a statement to the Daily News and ProPublica. But Daniel Lyons, a former attorney whose law firm represented Verizon and AT&T and who now teaches internet law at Boston College Law School, said the subsidy program is broken. The fundamental problem: No one has ever rigorously tested whether it works. “It’s not proven how successful it is,” said Lyons, who specializes in telecommunications and internet law, “because the FCC is not very good at auditing its program.” In Shoffstall’s case, the FCC pays his company what works out to about $800 per month per customer. Lyons has advocated scrapping this approach and sending the subsidy directly to consumers instead, letting them choose which provider gets their money. In Alaska, that might mean Starlink, though some new users say they are being charged a “high demand” fee of $1,500 to sign up, or its future satellite competitors like Amazon Leo. “If the goal is to make sure everybody gets online,” Lyons said, “you try to find the families that can’t afford service at market rates and you give subsidies to them directly.” Money for Homes With No Internet Alaska’s outsized share of the subsidy traces back to a man memorialized with a life-sized bronze statue in the Anchorage airport. Sen. Ted Stevens — “Uncle Ted” — spent 40 years delivering federal money to Alaska and was nearing the height of his power in 1996 when Congress passed the Telecommunications Act, creating the modern Universal Service Fund. It was before smartphones or Netflix. Most homes in America had no internet, and by the late 1990s “high-speed” service meant 200 kilobits per second — faster than dial-up modems but too slow to play high-definition video. Today, the FCC defines broadband, which is just another way of saying high-speed internet, as 100 Mbps. That’s 500 times faster than in the ’90s. As chair of the committee that controlled the FCC’s budget, Stevens ensured Alaska telecoms received special treatment, according to Carol Mattey, a former FCC official who oversaw efforts to reform the subsidy. “It would be suicidal to do something to make the head of the Appropriations Committee angry at you,” said Mattey, who served as deputy chief of the commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau. Stevens lost reelection in 2008 while under a corruption indictment that was later dropped. He died two years later in a plane crash on a trip from a private lodge owned by GCI, the Alaska telecom giant. GCI’s current president and chief operating officer, Gregory Chapados, is Stevens’ former chief of staff. A GCI spokesperson wrote that while Stevens chaired the Appropriations Committee, he did not at the time chair the Senate Commerce Committee, which drafted the Telecommunications Act and oversees the subsidy program. Chapados, who served as chief of staff for Stevens from 1986 to 1992, was not involved in developing the Telecommunications Act, the company said. The company said it “maintains constructive working relationships with all members of our delegation to advocate on behalf of our customers and all other Alaskans.” Nationally, the subsidy program allows payments to any company that the FCC or state regulators have designated as an “eligible telecommunications carrier.” How much they get depends on whether they want to provide internet to village schools, health care clinics or simply remote communities. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="841" width="527" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?w=527" alt="A man with gray hair and glasses wearing a tie and U.S. flag lapel pin gestures with his hand toward the camera. An out-of-focus U.S. flag can be seen behind him." class="wp-image-78740" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg 1879w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=188,300 188w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=768,1226 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=641,1024 641w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=962,1536 962w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=1283,2048 1283w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=863,1378 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=422,674 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=552,881 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=558,891 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=527,841 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=752,1201 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=1149,1834 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=1002,1600 1002w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=400,639 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=800,1277 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=1200,1916 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP080919071847.jpg?resize=1600,2555 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px" /> Sen. Ted Stevens in 2008 Al Grillo/AP In its statement to ProPublica and the Anchorage Daily News, GCI said, “There are no provisions in the Telecom Act extending special treatment for Alaska.” But the state is treated differently in practice. In 2016, the FCC created a program called the Alaska Plan specifically for carriers here, allowing them to negotiate their own performance targets rather than being subject to the same cost models applied elsewhere. Alaska’s geography made it especially difficult for the agency to estimate the cost of serving customers in the state, Mattey said. The FCC assumed the companies would only set goals that they would be able to achieve. They tried to adjust the national formula for distributing money to account for this factor, Mattey said, but Alaska telecoms kept pushing back and FCC officials gave up. “We tried so hard not to treat Alaska differently because our goal was to create defined deployment obligations for all companies, and we failed,” she said of the 2016 reforms. “The political pressure was too strong.” Summit has received $12 million over the past decade by promising to deliver internet to 337 locations across a collection of woodsy, roadside neighborhoods just north of Fairbanks. Filings by Summit report dozens of new connections in some years, a combined total of 271 as of 2025. But according to the FCC’s interactive map of all locations U.S. telecoms report actually serving with internet, the number of customers using Shoffstall’s service is far smaller. In a phone interview, the company’s acting general manager, James Perry, said that Summit has about 120 internet customers and 160 in total. Mattey said the rules of the program say nothing about making sure the lines that a subsidy recipient builds actually get used — only that they get built. Companies that fall behind on building out their network can have their subsidies reduced. But they are allowed to go on collecting cash long after the technology they use has become outdated, customers have moved on to cheaper and faster alternatives or their community has become a ghost town. “They’re playing by the rules, so to speak,” Mattey said. “It’s a flat amount of money the government has decided they are entitled to.” Off the Grid Shoffstall’s penchant for setting his own rules first landed him in trouble in 1996. State prosecutors charged him with a misdemeanor when he mailed documents whose tone and language mimicked court orders to an Alaska bank, demanding money. The trial ended without a verdict when Shoffstall agreed to change his plea from not guilty to no contest. He received a suspended imposition of sentence, a judgment entering a conviction with no jail time, contingent upon completing probation. Over the decades since, he has continued to file paperwork in state court, federal court and with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources claiming to be a sovereign citizen not bound by the same court systems as other Alaskans. An electrical technician by trade, Shoffstall bought the business for about $675,000 in 2000. Shoffstall’s customers live mainly in the hillsides north of Fairbanks. Some right off the highway. Some at the end of snowy roads littered with warning signs like: “You are no longer a trespasser. You are a target.” People moved here when the famously independent and rough-edged city of Fairbanks felt too urbane. They moved here to get off the grid. Not on it. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="862" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?w=1149" alt="Coniferous trees surround a lone wooden cabin sitting on a snowy hill with snow covering the roof. In the background is a blue sky with white clouds." class="wp-image-78741" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg 5712w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=1536,1152 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=2048,1536 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=863,647 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=422,317 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=552,414 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=558,419 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=527,395 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=752,564 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=1149,862 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=2000,1500 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=800,600 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=1200,900 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6396-toned.jpg?resize=1600,1200 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Many of Summit Telephone’s customers live in rural, remote places in Alaska, including Cleary Summit, north of Fairbanks. Kyle Hopkins/ADN Among Shoffstall’s customers was a Sunday school teacher who’d arrived in Alaska in 1981, answering phones for a small insurance company. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, still the days of landlines and dial tones, Lois Sannes found herself frustrated with a surcharge added to calls in the Summit service area. She began complaining to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. She wrote so many letters to the governor that someone wrote back. Sannes met with an attorney, who she said told her the IRS had launched a criminal investigation into Shoffstall. Separately, Shoffstall’s company was under scrutiny from the regulatory commission itself. When Summit sought approval for the rates it charged other telecom companies to use its phone lines, the commission allowed them to look at Summit’s unredacted financial reports. A consultant hired by the rival telecom companies testified to the commission that Summit’s spending appeared unusually high, poorly documented and in some cases tied to transactions between the company and Shoffstall himself. Roughly 95% of the company’s revenue around this period came not from phone customers but the federal subsidy program and payments redistributed through the telecom industry itself, according to audited financial statements Summit filed with state regulators. The dispute before the regulatory commission ended when Summit and its competitors agreed to a settlement. The commission issued no findings on whether there were indeed problems with Summit’s books, as the consultant’s report had outlined. But a new legal issue arose for Shoffstall — this time from the IRS, whose investigation Sannes had heard about. On Sept. 15, 2009, a federal grand jury indicted Shoffstall on allegations of felony tax evasion. The charges said he “willfully evaded the payment of his income taxes” for at least eight years beginning in 1996. Shoffstall’s former accountants testified against him. “I told him that he was going to get nailed, that’s not a question,” certified public accountant Garry Hutchison told the jury. “The only question is whether or not it would bring the company down.” A Fairbanks jury found Shoffstall guilty on Feb. 5, 2010, after a five-day trial. The FCC has the power to cut off subsidies to recipients convicted of fraud and other financial crimes related to the subsidy program. How closely related the crime must be to the subsidy payments is up for interpretation by the agency. On one hand, Shoffstall’s indictment said he used his position running a federally subsidized company to obstruct the IRS investigation. On the other, the conviction was for tax evasion related to money he personally owed the IRS. There is precedent for the FCC closely scrutinizing a subsidy recipient who’s been convicted of evading personal income taxes. The FCC Wireline Competition Bureau directed the Universal Service Fund’s administrator to look into whether Hawaii-based Sandwich Isles Communications misused its subsidy dollars. The action followed owner Albert Hee’s conviction on federal tax crimes in 2015. The FCC fined Sandwich Isles and Hee $49.6 million and ordered the company to repay $27 million in what it described as improperly received subsidies. Hee’s attorneys contested the charges, arguing that he had concealed nothing and that the government mistook accounting errors for criminal intent. A jury disagreed. It’s not clear whether the FCC investigated Shoffstall after his conviction; the agency did not respond to questions about the case. But records show that Shoffstall’s company steadily continued to receive Universal Service Fund subsidies, even while Shoffstall was in prison. Two months after his release in January 2013, Summit reported collecting $1.1 million in annual subsidies. When Shoffstall’s probation officer told a federal judge that Shoffstall was ignoring his probation requirements, he was arrested on Dec. 9, 2013, and went back to prison for several months. His company received $859,393 in Universal Service Fund subsidies during that time. In the years that followed, the subsidies to Summit grew. FCC data shows Summit in 2016 received one of the highest levels of federal subsidies per customer in the country. As of that year, Shoffstall’s company paid him an annual salary of up to $121,000 and paid an annual dividend of up to $155,000 to a holding company for which he was the sole shareholder. His company stopped publicly disclosing that information after 2016, as the Regulatory Commission of Alaska stopped requiring detailed annual reporting, leaving far less financial information available to the public. Sannes, the former Summit customer who once pressured state regulators to take a closer look at the company, now lives in Wisconsin. Asked if she was surprised to learn that the company’s subsidies not only continue today, but have increased to $1.5 million a year, Sannes said she had assumed his criminal conviction alone would have been enough to cut off the money. “I’m horrified,” she said. Unplugged Summit Telephone is named for a mountaintop, Cleary Summit, outside Fairbanks. Sled dogs can be heard howling from their plywood houses, and every so often a semitruck barrels down the highway, swirling snow as it hauls gold ore from open-pit mines. In the winter, you might see a rocket launch from a valley a few miles north, from the world’s only rocket launch site operated by a university. The hills are known for world-famous aurora borealis displays, and a collection of Airbnbs and lodges line winding roads. As the subsidies flowed to Summit, Shoffstall continued to create and distribute documents intended to look like court orders. He submitted paperwork in federal court arguing he didn’t have to pay taxes — in one 2017 filing accusing the federal government of “high crimes” against him, in another issuing what he called a “summary judgment” against President Donald Trump for “fraud, collusion and conspiracy.” None of this stopped the state’s telecom industry from spotlighting him as a poster child. O’Connor, the executive director of the Alaska Telecom Association, cited Summit to state lawmakers in 2018 as an example of a company forced to “muddle along with the obsolete technology” rather than upgrade its network due the burden of state overregulation. Raising the rates to provide upgrades would have required Summit to make its case to regulators that the fee increases were necessary. Asked whether it was an appropriate use of public funds for a company like Summit to receive roughly $10,000 per customer per year in federal subsidies, O’Connor did not directly answer. In a written response, the Alaska Telecom Association said the program “is specifically designed to support building and operating telecommunications networks in high-cost areas” and that participating providers “are subject to FCC program requirements, reporting obligations, and oversight.” Asked whether it stood by its 2018 characterization of Summit, O’Connor said her testimony was focused on the challenges facing smaller providers generally. Shoffstall never upgraded to expand its service. According to the FCC broadband map, Summit’s equipment today remains incapable of delivering internet faster than 25 Mbps — one-fourth the FCC’s current definition of broadband. Meanwhile, the internet marketplace has changed. Some Alaskans no longer need or want the slower subsidized service. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="629" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?w=752" alt="A grid of headshots. Shoffstall’s photo shows him wearing sunglasses, an aqua shirt and gray pants in front of a river, holding a large, reddish-gray fish." class="wp-image-78743" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg 1004w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=300,251 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=768,643 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=863,722 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=422,353 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=552,462 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=558,467 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=527,441 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=752,629 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=400,335 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shofstall-board-grid-toned.jpg?resize=800,669 800w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> Members of the Alaska Telecom Association board, including Shoffstall, middle of bottom row. Despite his conviction for personal tax evasion, the association highlighted Shoffstall and Summit in 2018. Screenshot by ProPublica One recent Saturday, 74-year-old Philip Marshall shoveled a waist-high tunnel through the snow to a cabin near the top of the mountain. A wood carver, he wore a red ski cap decorated with the flag of Denmark. Asked about his internet access, he invited a reporter inside and made a pot of black tea. Marshall said his wife, Janet, moved into this cabin before he met her. The construction boom for the 800-mile trans-Alaska oil pipeline had raised rents so high within Fairbanks’ city limits during the mid-1970s that she moved here out of town. Like many cabins outside Fairbanks, the home is “dry,” meaning there’s no running water. Old-timers hauled the building itself up the side of the mountain on sleds. In interviews, several of Marshall’s neighbors said they have no complaints about the internet speeds Summit provides. One said she pays Summit $95 a month and the internet is fine for her needs. Another, who retired after a career working on remote Alaska radar sites, said he uses the service too. But he’s recently added satellite internet. Others who have opted for the low-orbit satellite dishes, which deliver speeds up to 10 times faster than Summit for about the same price, have dropped their Summit plans altogether. One especially clear evening recently, Marshall stood in the snow and counted 18 satellites passing overhead within nine minutes. “Starlink,” he said. The company and corporate parent SpaceX did not respond to questions and do not publicly release the number of users in Alaska. But Ookla, a company that offers tools people can use to test their internet speed, offered a proxy measure: About 1 in 10 Alaskans who tested their home internet speed through Ookla connected via Starlink, compared with roughly 1 in 67 in California. The Marshalls haven’t felt the need to pay for either service. Their cellphones give five-bar, 5G service from a nearby tower. Finishing his tea, Marshall pulled on his jacket to head back outside. Still have to shovel a path to the outhouse, he said. In the corner of the room, a plastic box the size and color of a concrete brick sat near the floor. It was for the Summit internet line that public subsidies pay the company roughly $10,000 a year to provide. Unplugged and unused. The post This Convicted Felon Gets $1 Million a Year to Sell Obsolete Internet Service. You Pay for It. appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Kyle Hopkins.
We’re Investigating Alaska Internet Companies. We Need Your Help.
The post We’re Investigating Alaska Internet Companies. We Need Your Help. appeared first on ProPublica.
Illustration by Shoshana Gordon/ProPublica We’re investigating Alaska internet companies this year, and we need your help. Alaskans pay higher costs for slower internet speeds than most Americans. The government has spent billions of dollars of public money to try to fix the problem, and we want to know how it’s really going in your community. Please fill out this quick survey to share how much it costs you to get online and what you think of the service. Take our quick survey to help in the reporting. If you know someone in Alaska who is not able to access the internet and wants to share their experience, they can contact reporter Kyle Hopkins at 907-854-8540 (phone or WhatsApp). We will add more options for participation soon — stay tuned! We appreciate you sharing your story, and we take your privacy seriously. We will contact you if we wish to publish any part. The post We’re Investigating Alaska Internet Companies. We Need Your Help. appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Shoshana.gordon@propublica.org.
Press crackdowns in Gulf spike following Iran war, risk becoming permanent
Washington, D.C., May 6, 2026 — Since the Iran war started late February, the Committee to Protect Journalists has documented a crackdown on the press across the Gulf, and tracked unpublicized cases of arrests, intimidation, legal and financial actions against journalists and their media outlets. The escalation represents a significant and underreported threat to press...
Washington, D.C., May 6, 2026 — Since the Iran war started late February, the Committee to Protect Journalists has documented a crackdown on the press across the Gulf, and tracked unpublicized cases of arrests, intimidation, legal and financial actions against journalists and their media outlets. The escalation represents a significant and underreported threat to press freedom in the Gulf countries where media freedoms were already severely curtailed. Many of these incidents have not been disclosed publicly, as journalists and media outlets fear further retaliation from authorities. CPJ warns that this points to a widening crackdown that is reshaping how, and whether, the Iran war is reported. While limitations on reporting are often justifiable during active conflict to protect troop movements or enable effective military operations, the current restrictions go well beyond genuine national security concerns. Rather than focusing on tactical secrecy, these new measures utilize vague language to criminalize reporting that undermines “state narratives” or “public morale.” By targeting journalists not for exposing secrets, but for sharing verified, publicly available information, authorities are bypassing traditional security needs to enforce ideological conformity. “What is publicly known is only the tip of the iceberg,” said CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah. “Far beyond the cases we can publicly confirm, a growing number of attacks go unreported—silenced by fear of further reprisals. This climate of intimidation is forcing journalists into self-censorship, choking the flow of truth at its source. We cannot allow this to become the norm. Governments must act now to protect press freedom, ensure accountability, and create conditions where journalists can report without fear.” At the heart of this crisis is a chilling historical precedent: the concern that these emergency “war-time” restrictions will not be dismantled when the fighting stops. History shows that laws enacted during crises— such as Bahrain’s 2011 State of National Safety, which established a legal architecture of censorship that persisted long after the emergency ended, or Saudi Arabia’s 2014 Counter-Terrorism Law, which expanded the definition of “terrorism” to permanently criminalize peaceful dissent—frequently outlive their original purpose, becoming permanent fixtures used to stifle dissent during “peace-time”. Intersecting patterns of arrests and charges Across Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, authorities have relied on strikingly similar grounds to detain journalists and media workers since the start of the war. These cases consistently involve punishing individuals and news organizations for routine journalistic activity such as photographing, filming, or publishing information about events occurring in public view. “The war exposed the already existing censorship inside the Gulf, but Gulf monarchies also took advantage of it to expand their repression,” Abdullah Alaoudh, Senior Policy Advisor for Gulf Issues at the American Committee for Middle East Rights, told CPJ. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" height="683" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-588153" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg 3868w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=2048,1366 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=652,435 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=760,507 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=1140,760 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=2000,1334 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-02-28T180432Z_1513091388_RC26VJAYBDY4_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-BAHRAIN.jpg?resize=367,245 367w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Smoke rises from a burning building hit by an Iranian drone strike, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Seef district, Manama, Bahrain, February 28, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed) The charges brought in these cases also show a clear pattern. Authorities have repeatedly used broadly and vaguely defined legal provisions such as “spreading false information,” “harming national security,” “misusing communication devices,” and violations of cybercrime or anti-rumor laws. In many instances, these charges are applied simultaneously, giving prosecutors wide discretionary power over cases that often involve verified or publicly accessible material. In several documented cases, journalists were detained without immediate access to legal counsel, or contact with their families, or held for extended periods before formal charges were clarified. Others were released under restrictive conditions, including suspended sentences or obligations tied to “good conduct,” leaving them exposed to renewed prosecution. Regional similarities of enforcement practices Gulf countries are sensitive to uncontrolled information in part because their economic models rely on an image of absolute stability to attract foreign investment and tourism. For hubs like Dubai or Doha, footage of missile interceptions threatens this “safety brand.” While critics argue these states use the war as a pretext to expand already restrictive cybercrime laws, there is a tangible military logic: in the age of precision strikes, viral videos act as real-time Battle Damage Assessments (BDA) that help adversaries recalibrate their targeting. This approach is not unique; nations from Israel to Ukraine maintain strict censorship and operational security (OPSEC) rules, arguing that protecting infrastructure and preventing mass panic must temporarily supersede independent reporting during active hostilities International law provides a strict framework for such restrictions. Under Article 19(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), any limitation on press freedom must be “necessary and proportionate” to achieve a specific security goal. In other jurisdictions, this balance is managed through far more targeted mechanisms than the broad crackdowns currently seen in the Gulf. For instance, in the United States, the Supreme Court’s “Pentagon Papers” ruling established that the government must prove publication would cause “direct, immediate, and irreparable damage” to justify stopping the press. Human rights bodies like the Council of Europe emphasize that such rules must not be used as a pretext for the “chilling” of legitimate public debate or the detention of journalists for sharing verified information. “What is publicly known is only the tip of the iceberg. Far beyond the cases we can publicly confirm, a growing number of attacks go unreported—silenced by fear of further reprisals. This climate of intimidation is forcing journalists into self-censorship, choking the flow of truth at its source. We cannot allow this to become the norm. Governments must act now to protect press freedom, ensure accountability, and create conditions where journalists can report without fear.” – CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah Kuwait Restrictions tightened rapidly following the start of the Iran war as Kuwait, a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), like many Gulf neighbors, sought to limit reporting on the country’s involvement in the war in the name of national security. Kuwait’s interior ministry said ​on February 28 the public should refrain from filming missile interceptions, sharing such footage on social media, and filming security personnel at work, ​urging people to rely on official sources. However, its stance rapidly hardened. Two weeks later, the government enacted Decree-Law No. 13, imposing penalties of up to 10 years in prison for disseminating information about military entities deemed capable of “undermining public confidence.” Later that month, it established a specialized court for state security and terrorism-related crimes to “resolve cases with high speed.” Kuwaiti authorities claimed such courts were “necessary due to the extreme danger terrorism poses to national stability and peace.” <img decoding="async" height="576" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png?w=1024" alt="Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, an award-winning Kuwaiti-American journalist, was imprisoned in Kuwait for 52 days. " class="wp-image-580313" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png 1200w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png?resize=300,169 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png?resize=768,432 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png?resize=1024,576 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png?resize=570,321 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png?resize=652,367 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png?resize=760,428 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png?resize=1140,641 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ahmed-Shihab-Eldin-screenshot-041326.png?resize=367,206 367w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, an award-winning Kuwaiti-American journalist, was imprisoned in Kuwait for 52 days. (Screenshot: Legendiary/YouTube) The most high profile case under the new laws is that of award-winning U.S.-Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, who was held for more than 52 days while visiting family in Kuwait. Prior to his arrest, the journalist shared a geolocated video, verified by CNN, showing a U.S. fighter jet crash near a U.S. air base in Kuwait; but had not filmed or undertaken reporting himself during his. Shihab-Eldin was later acquitted on a charge of spreading false information, but prosecutors have not pronounced on other charges, including harming national security – which could carry a sentence up to 10 years in prison. Following his release, authorities revoked his citizenship. “I am free—but many remain behind bars,” Shihab-Eldin said after his release. The case highlights the expanding use of legal tools that extend beyond criminal prosecution to include long-term punitive measures such as denationalization. Since October 2024, authorities have increasingly used citizenship revocation to silence dissent. More than 71,000 people — or about 4.6% of the country’s official population of more than 1.5 million — have lost their citizenship as of April 2026. While Shihab-Eldin’s revocation was justified under Kuwait’s Nationality Law, which prohibits dual citizenship, Sultan Alamer, an affiliated scholar at Harvard’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies said “the law has been politicized and weaponized against political dissent.” In addition to the personal toll, for journalists, losing citizenship can also mean losing the right to own or obtaining a media license. In August 2025, authorities revoked the licenses of Al-Sabah newspaper and TV, after stripping Dr. Barakat Hudaiban Al-Rashidi, the editor-in-chief and owner of the outlets, of his citizenship. Further restrictions followed Decree-Law No. 13, including aban on publishing or circulating any details related to state security cases currently under review by the Kuwaiti State Security Court, involving individuals active on social media. A Kuwait policy analyst confirmed to CPJ that Ahmed’s case was among those covered by the ban, which explains why his case — widely reported across major international media outlets — received no coverage from Kuwaiti media. <img decoding="async" height="538" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?w=1024" alt="A video shows a US F-15 jet shot down by friendly fire in Kuwait amid the Iran war" class="wp-image-588101" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png 3402w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=300,158 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=768,403 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=1024,538 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=1536,807 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=2048,1076 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=570,299 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=652,342 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=760,399 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=1140,599 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=2000,1051 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kuwait-jet-screenshot.png?resize=367,193 367w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> A video shows a US F-15 jet shot down by friendly fire in Kuwait amid the Iran war. (Screenshot: The Mirror/ Youtube) On April 16, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information announced the referral of seven media outlets to the Public Prosecution. The ministry identified “clear violations” involving the publication of inaccurate information and the circulation of unverified news without proper sourcing from official authorities. Restrictions on press and expression in Kuwait had already intensified following the suspension of parliament in 2024 and the expansion of executive powers – a move widely described as the end of the Gulf’s last semi-democratic exception. “Kuwait was not as repressive as it is now,” Mansoor Al-Muhareb, an exiled Kuwaiti blogger, told CPJ. “There was a margin for press freedom. Everything changed after May 2024.” Yitzchak Horowitz, a journalist for the weekly Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) newspaper BeKehila, reported that he was also arrested in Kuwait on suspicion of espionage after photographing U.S. warships off the Gulf Coast. He said he was questioned about his identity, ties to Israel, and whether he had a military background for several hours before being released. Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights, told CPJ that tens of people have been arrested in Kuwait since the war began in cases related to freedom of expression. “It has become a kingdom of fear and censorship,” he said. Bahrain In Bahrain—a key UK ally that recently saw Rashid Al Hamer of the Bahrain Journalists Association elected as an adviser to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Executive Committee—media freedom faces a deepening chill. A court sentenced photojournalist Sayed Baqer Al-Kamel to 10 years in prison after he filmed and shared footage of a residential area following an apparent strike. Authorities later imposed broad restrictions on photographing or publishing military-related content, though local press groups said the rules were not clearly defined at the time of his arrest. On March 4, officials banned the filming, photographing, or sharing of any military operations, movements, or sites, as well as related content on social media, citing national security concerns. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="290" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unnamed-22.png?w=512" alt="Bahraini photographer Sayed Baqer Al-Kamel was sentenced to ten years in prison." class="wp-image-585340" style="width:864px;height:auto" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unnamed-22.png 512w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unnamed-22.png?resize=300,170 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unnamed-22.png?resize=367,208 367w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /> Bahraini photographer Sayed Baqer Al-Kamel was sentenced to ten years in prison. (Screenshot: abdulhadiaman9392/YouTube) “Baqer’s verdict is a complete mockery of Bahrain’s justice system,” Sayed Alwadaei, director of the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, told CPJ. “His so-called ‘crime’ was filming a residential area after it was bombed while he was at the scene and sharing the footage on social media.” Bahraini blogger and journalist Khalil Buhazaa was arrested on May 3 without official explanation, according to local rights and press freedom groups. Reports said he was questioned over his blog and X posts, including one that said “laws and institutions are in freefall.” CPJ could not independently confirm the reasons for his arrest or the charges he is accused of. Similarly to Kuwait, Bahrain has also revoked the citizenship of 69 people over ​what it described as sympathy with Iran’s hostile acts and ‌collaboration with foreign entities, the kingdom’s interior ministry said in a statement. The ministry said it included accused individuals and their family members, and that they ​were all of non-Bahraini origin. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="683" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-589370" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg 5000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=652,435 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=760,507 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=1140,760 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-12T080914Z_820705659_RC2V2KAX607E_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-BAHRAIN-AFTERMATH.jpg?resize=367,245 367w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Smoke rises over Bahrain’s capital, Manama, following a reported Iranian drone strike on the fuel storage facility of Bahrain International Airport on March 12, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Stringer) Prior to this war, Bahrain’s media environment was characterized by a systematic dismantling of independent journalism following the 2011 pro-democracy protests. While the government has touted reforms like the removal of direct imprisonment for journalists under specific press laws, critics argue this is “misleading.” Journalists were frequently prosecuted under the Penal Code or Anti-Terrorism Law, which allow for harsh prison sentences for crimes such as “inciting sedition” or “spreading false news.” CPJ’s data shows that at least 5 journalists remain behind bars in Bahrain, with at least one of them, journalist Abduljalil Al-Singace, serving a life sentence. United Arab Emirates (UAE) In the UAE, a strong U.S ally, authorities detained at least 109 individuals for allegedly filming or sharing war-related content, according to the United Nations, with dozens referred to expedited trials. The UAE, like other Gulf countries, warned citizens and residents against photographing, filming, publishing, or circulating images and videos of the Iranian attacks shortly after the war began, saying it could result in up to one year of imprisonment and financial fines. The government has also issued decrees blocking several media accounts, including Saudi state-owned broadcaster Al Arabiya, independent outlet Noon Post, Saudi journalist Malek Al-Rougui, Algerian journalist Ahmed Hafsi, and Egyptian journalist Osama Gaweesh, based in the United Kingdom, accusing them of spreading false information and insulting the state. CPJ is aware of additional unreported incidents involving raids and heavy fines, though many news organizations remain unwilling to go on the record for fear of further retaliation. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="676" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?w=1024" alt="Smoke rising from an area near the Dubai International Airport is seen through the windshield of a vehicle, after a drone attack hit a fuel tank, according to Dubai authorities, on March 16, 2026." class="wp-image-587999" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg 3902w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=300,198 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=768,507 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=1024,676 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=1536,1014 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=2048,1353 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=570,376 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=652,431 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=760,502 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=1140,753 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=2000,1321 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-16T070048Z_750883969_RC2F5KA7NMM6_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES-INCIDENT.jpg?resize=367,242 367w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Smoke rising from an area near the Dubai International Airport is seen through the windshield of a vehicle, after a drone attack hit a fuel tank, according to Dubai authorities, on March 16, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Stringer) “I am shocked by the accusations of publishing false news and insulting the state, as if a journalist’s role were simply to follow the UAE’s official narrative rather than comment on its policies,” Gaweesh told CPJ. “What I do on my social media platforms is daily journalistic work — reporting and commenting on news based on published sources.” Dr. Mira Al Hussein, Gulf expert at the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh, said the UAE’s blocking of social media accounts was exceptional among Gulf countries: “No other country in the Gulf has adopted this measure,” she told CPJ. “The UAE government is not trying to control the narrative — it is trying to monopolize it.” On March 17, authorities in Fujairah City arrested an Arab photojournalist working for a London-based media outlet after he filmed in restricted areas without the required permits, according to Khaleej Times. Later, Semafor also reported that photojournalists were arrested in the UAE — and in response, some global newswires stopped publishing original images showing damage from Iranian missile and drone strikes on the country. The UAE’s 2026 crackdown on war-related content is rooted in a decade-long legislative effort to centralize control over digital and traditional media. This foundation was solidified by Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, which significantly expanded the state’s power to penalize the “spreading of false news” and content deemed harmful to public interest. This was further tightened by Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023, which overhauled the nation’s media regulations to grant the UAE Media Council sweeping authority over digital influencers and international outlets. These laws have been frequently used to target independent voices; for instance, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that in 2024, a mass trial resulted in life sentences for activists, many of whom were already imprisoned for their online commentary. Furthermore, reports from Freedom House andAmnesty International have long classified the UAE as a restrictive environment for press freedom, noting that the infrastructure for the 2026 “monopolization of the narrative” was built through years of blocking critical websites and detaining journalists who strayed from the official line. “Governments in the region are using the cover of war to settle old scores with independent voices and tighten their grip on the narrative,” said CPJ’s Qudah. “These measures create a chilling effect that extends far beyond the battlefield.” Qatar Like other countries in the region, another MNNA ally, Qatar’s interior ministry warned against photographing and sharing content related to the conflict. In March, Qatari authoritiesarrested more than 300 individuals linked to content sharing and alleged rumor dissemination. Palestinian columnist and media commentator Saeed Ziad was arrested on March 15, reportedly in connection with tweets and commentary addressing the war. He was released on March 20. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="683" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?w=1024" alt="Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, as seen from Doha, Qatar, March 1, 2026." class="wp-image-589422" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg 5500w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=652,435 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=760,507 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=1140,760 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-01T082509Z_445718270_RC2KVJAAMMHV_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-GULF-QATAR.jpg?resize=367,245 367w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, as seen from Doha, Qatar, March 1, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/Mohammed Salem) Journalists have told CPJ that the environment has resulted in increased self-censorship, particularly among those covering politically sensitive issues. An international journalist based in Qatar told CPJ, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation, that the hostile environment that has emerged during the war—directed primarily at media commentators whose views do not align with the Qatari government—has pressured several journalists and columnists to refrain from reporting or using their social media accounts. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia—another MNNA ally of the U.S that recently achieved a milestone in media diplomacy by securing its first-ever seat on the IFJ Executive Committee through Adhwan Al-Ahmari— has similarly issued warnings under its cybercrime framework, reinforcing a region-wide approach in which digital reporting on the conflict is treated as a potential security violation, reinforcing a regional pattern in which coverage of politically sensitive issues is treated as a national security offense. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="574" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?w=1024" alt="A US radar aircraft was destroyed in an Iranian strike on a Saudi Arabian airbase on March 27, 2026." class="wp-image-587948" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png 2020w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=300,168 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=768,430 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=1024,574 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=1536,861 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=570,319 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=652,365 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=760,426 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=1140,639 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=2000,1121 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-10.38.41-AM-1.png?resize=367,206 367w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> A US radar aircraft was destroyed in an Iranian strike on a Saudi Arabian airbase on March 27, 2026. (Screenshot: CNN/ YouTube) Despite this expanding role in global media institutions, Saudi Arabia continues to reinforce an approach where digital reporting on conflict is treated as a potential security violation. Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s most repressive environments for the press. CPJ documented at least 10 journalists behind bars on December 1, 2024, making the kingdom the world’s 10th worst jailer of journalists in CPJ’s annual prison census that year. Saudi authorities have continued to prosecute journalists, writers, and online commentators on vague charges including terrorism, treason, and undermining national unity. In June 2025, Saudi authorities announced the execution of prominent columnist Turki al-Jasser, who had been detained since 2018 and convicted on charges including treason, foreign collaboration, and endangering national security. Press freedom and human rights groups condemned the execution as part of the kingdom’s intensifying crackdown on dissent. Saudi authorities routinely target journalists, human rights defenders, and political critics for peaceful expression, including social media activity, often imposing lengthy prison sentences after trials widely criticized for lacking due process. The 2018 killing of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul remains one of the most notorious attacks on the press in recent history. Since his murder, CPJ has continued to advocate for transparency, accountability, and justice in the case. CPJ has also documented the deadly impact of U.S.-backed Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, including at least seven journalists killed in the airstrikes. The pursuit of justice is far from over and we will hold the Saudi government accountable for its press freedom violations. Underreporting and information constraints CPJ notes that the full scope of arrests and intimidation is likely broader than what has been publicly documented. Journalists across the region report withholding material, limiting coverage, or avoiding sensitive topics due to fear of arrest or legal action. In some cases, international media organizations have restricted the publication of imagery from the Gulf following the detention of photographers. This has contributed to a narrowing of independently verified reporting from the region. Concerns have also been raised about detention conditions in national security cases, including allegations of ill-treatment and restricted access to legal counsel in similar cases in parts of the Gulf, particularly where detainees are held incommunicado. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="683" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?w=1024" alt="A view of the Dubai skyline, including the Burj Khalifa, amid the Iran war." class="wp-image-588050" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg 5472w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=570,380 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=652,435 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=760,507 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=1140,760 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-03-06T202555Z_2129237965_RC21ZJANCXNS_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-EMIRATES.jpg?resize=367,245 367w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> A view of the Dubai skyline, including the Burj Khalifa, amid the Iran war. (Photo: Reuters/Amr Alfiky) Kuwait continues to face criticism over allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention. In a 2024 report, the UN Committee Against Torture voiced concern over what it described as consistent reports of torture and ill-treatment of detainees, a 126% overcrowding rate, and the use of shackling and food deprivation as disciplinary measures. In the same year, a U.S Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor report said “the constitution and law [in Kuwait] prohibited torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, but media and NGOs reported torture and mistreatment by police and security forces.” According to a 2023 HRW report, Saudi Arabia ”sentenced people to decades-long prison terms or death sentences for social media posts. Abusive practices in detention centers, including torture and ill-treatment, prolonged arbitrary detention, and asset confiscation without any clear legal process, remain pervasive.” UN experts and other NGOs have raised alarms over the use of enforced disappearance, solitary confinement, and torture against those held on national security or counter-terrorism charges in UAE. Similarly in Bahrain, human rights groups, such as the GCHR and HRW, have documented instances where detainees were subjected torture and denial of medical care. Historical parallels: wartime controls on the press The use of restrictions in war is not unique to the Gulf. However, journalists and analysts warn that the current slew of curtailments in Gulf countries represent a significant tightening that risks further stifling what little press freedom existed in the Gulf. “The Gulf has never had an independent press — outlets must ensure they are permitted to publish on certain issues before doing so,” said Al Hussein of the Alwaleed Centre. “What we are witnessing now is not only an attempt to control the current narrative around the war, but to shape the historical record itself — ensuring that it does not contradict the official state narrative.” The restrictions now emerging across the Gulf reflect patterns seen in earlier regional conflicts, where governments used wartime conditions to impose lasting constraints on journalism. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="685" width="1024" src="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?w=1024" alt="In 1991, Kuwaiti exiles read the latest news on the fate of their Iraqi-occupied homeland in a local English newspaper in Dubai." class="wp-image-589319" srcset="https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg 4500w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=768,514 768w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=1024,685 1024w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=1536,1027 1536w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=2048,1369 2048w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=570,381 570w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=652,436 652w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=760,508 760w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=1140,762 1140w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=2000,1337 2000w, https://cpj.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-01-06T223358Z_1789146229_RC20CY30AECB_RTRMADP_3_REUTERS-ARCHIVE.jpg?resize=367,245 367w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /> Kuwaiti exiles in 1991 read news on the fate of their Iraqi-occupied homeland in a local English newspaper in Dubai. (Photo: Reuters/Greg Bos) During the Gulf War in 1990, coalition forces implemented a tightly controlled media system that limited independent reporting. Journalists were required to operate within a “pool” structure, granting access only to selected reporters whose coverage was subject to military oversight before publication. Movement in conflict zones was heavily restricted, and coverage of casualties and damage was tightly managed. These measures significantly reduced the ability of journalists to independently verify events on the ground. Between 1991 and 2003, Gulf countries utilized security laws—later codified as cybercrime laws —to arrest hundreds of people, including journalists, for simply filming missile interceptions or strike locations. The 2026 war echoes the 1990s justification of “operational security”. Today, authorities justify these measures as preventing “rumors” and “panic” that could aid enemy intelligence. Although the military press pool system ended after the Gulf War, there is no evidence in credible reporting that broader information-control laws or restrictive media practices in Gulf states were ended afterward, as such frameworks continued and were later expanded under national security and cybercrime legislation. Such measures contribute to the normalization of restricting journalistic access, expanding the use of security-based legal frameworks to censor information that goes well beyond the bounds of militarily sensitive information. “The new restrictions on reporting go well beyond temporary wartime measures and instead signal the consolidation of a long-term system for managing and restricting information,” said Qudah. “History shows emergency powers to control information flow during war often extend well beyond the stated emergency and are used to control a vast swathe of content that is not in any way related to the war. What’s happening in the Gulf is failing to grab international attention in part because of the high levels of self-censorship – this needs to change if the trend is to be reversed.” This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Mohamed Mandour.
With a Chance at Freedom, They Faced an Unexpected Obstacle: Their Own Lawyers
The post With a Chance at Freedom, They Faced an Unexpected Obstacle: Their Own Lawyers appeared first on ProPublica.
Milique Wagner spent more than a decade in prison fighting his murder conviction. One obstacle he faced along the way to winning his freedom was opposition from his own lawyer. Jessica Griffin/The Philadelphia Inquirer Milique Wagner always insisted that his 2013 murder conviction was built on an informant’s lie. But Wagner said he couldn’t persuade his trial lawyer to investigate that, even after the informant confessed to the murder and testified that Philadelphia police and prosecutors knew the truth. In 2015, Wagner’s appeal failed, and he faced life in prison. But Wagner had another chance at freedom under a state law that allowed him to get a new court-appointed lawyer to help him challenge his conviction. Court records show that the attorney never spoke with the informant or looked into the detective on the case, who made headlines after being benched for secretly paying a witness. Instead, Wagner’s lawyer urged the judge to shut down his client’s petition, writing in June 2017, “There are no meritorious issues that could be raised.” Wagner would remain in prison another six years before prosecutors acknowledged that police had hidden evidence suggesting that the informant had committed the murder and the detective was corrupt. Although Wagner maintains his innocence, he agreed to a plea deal for third-degree murder that allowed him to leave prison. The opposition Wagner faced from his own lawyer is permitted under Pennsylvania’s Post Conviction Relief Act, the law that allows people in prison to raise newly discovered evidence or argue that their previous lawyer mishandled the case. The state provides a lawyer in these cases, but with a catch: The attorney can argue against the client’s claims and withdraw from the case by filing what’s known as a “no-merit” letter. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="703" width="527" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=527" alt="A man in a red graduation gown and cap holds a diploma up for the camera under a sign that reads, “Graduation 2022.”" class="wp-image-79014" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 2250w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=225,300 225w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,1024 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1152,1536 1152w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,2048 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,1151 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,563 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,736 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,744 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,703 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,1003 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,1532 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,1600 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,533 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,1067 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,2133 1600w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_2813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,2667 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px" /> Wagner received a graduation certificate after completing a carpentry program at the State Correctional Institution Frackville, a state prison about 100 miles north of Philadelphia. Courtesy of Milique Wagner A Philadelphia Inquirer and ProPublica investigation found case after case in which court-appointed attorneys did minimal work to examine their clients’ claims and rejected what later turned out to be legitimate legal issues. The findings reveal that Philadelphia’s post-conviction system repeatedly delayed or denied justice for wrongfully convicted people who then spent years or decades behind bars. The news organizations reviewed 250 of Philadelphia’s reversed convictions and sentences since 2018 in violent felony cases. Wagner was one of at least 50 people whose lawyers said there was no basis to challenge their cases, only for judges to later decide they deserved new trials or sentences. While in some cases the exonerating evidence did not emerge until years after the no-merit letter was filed, a majority were tossed out based on issues the PCRA lawyers overlooked or rejected. Three years of invoices appointed attorneys submitted to the court, covering 83 homicide PCRA cases in which the lawyers filed no-merit letters, show the extent of lawyers’ efforts. Those attorneys did not arrange a single phone call with the client, contact the trial lawyer or obtain the police or prosecution case files about three-quarters of the time. Those case files have been a key source of evidence in overturned convictions since Philadelphia’s district attorney began making them available to lawyers six years ago. Lawyers Did Little Before Declaring Cases Meritless Homicide cases are the most serious ones a lawyer can handle. But many lawyers handling homicide Post Conviction Relief Act cases never spoke with their clients before rejecting their claims. Here’s how often they took basic steps in 83 cases. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="476" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?w=752" alt="" class="wp-image-79176" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png 1500w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=300,190 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=768,486 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=1024,648 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=863,546 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=422,267 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=552,349 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=558,353 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=527,333 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=752,476 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=1149,727 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=400,253 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=800,506 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/philly-exonerations-chart-fallback_223ec1.png?resize=1200,759 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> Data is drawn from all invoices submitted in 2023, ’24 and ’25 for no-merit letters filed in a total of 83 homicide cases. In some cases, records show the attorneys rejected their clients’ claims just days or weeks after being appointed and submitted filings with factual errors, including the wrong defendant’s name. They filed no-merit letters despite red flags, such as a client’s co-defendant having already been exonerated or a detective who locked the client up having been arrested for assaulting witnesses or tampering with evidence. Daniel Anders, the administrative judge who oversees Philadelphia’s court-appointed counsel system, did not respond to requests for comment. Judge Barbara McDermott, who oversaw many PCRA cases before recently retiring from Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas, defended the system and said it is working as intended. “We’re never going to be a perfect system, but within the system we’ve had we’ve done the best we can,” she said, adding that no-merit letters play an important role in shutting down pointless challenges. “At some point, there has to be finality to cases.” In Pennsylvania, a person looking to challenge their conviction starts by filing a PCRA petition, often handwritten on a state-issued form. If it’s a person’s first PCRA, a judge will assign a lawyer to amend it. Robert Dunham, a lawyer who spent years training attorneys across the state to litigate death-penalty appeals, said appointed lawyers are too often limiting their review to the issues their clients raised. He said the job is to reinvestigate the entire case to catch things previous lawyers missed. “[The clients are] not lawyers. In many cases they are impaired,” Dunham said. “They don’t have the ability to conduct a factual investigation because they’re in jail.” Stephen T. O’Hanlon, the attorney appointed to Wagner’s case, sent no-merit letters to nine clients who would later have their convictions or sentences overturned. That was more than any other attorney identified in the Inquirer and ProPublica examination, but O’Hanlon also handled among the most PCRA cases. Five of the nine cases were later overturned in state or federal court based on issues with the trial or plea he rejected or did not raise. O’Hanlon said the attorney code of ethics prevents him from making arguments he knows to be false or frivolous and that, in each case, the judge and prosecutor agreed with him at the time. “Yes, it’s good that they got off on some kind of five-years-later technicality,” he said, “but it’s wrong to suggest there was any problem with” the no-merit letters. O’Hanlon said he conducted a diligent review of Wagner’s case and exchanged numerous letters with him. According to court records, he sent an investigator to interview multiple witnesses. “I knew he wasn’t going to fight for me.” Milique Wagner Wagner provided the Inquirer and ProPublica a copy of a letter he said he wrote to O’Hanlon in 2016, asking him to look into Philip Nordo, the corrupt homicide detective who’d typed up the informant’s statement. O’Hanlon said Wagner never raised Nordo as an issue at the time. Pointing to Wagner’s eventual plea deal, he said Wagner is “factually guilty” of the murder. Wagner said O’Hanlon seemed to be against him from the outset. He pointed to a letter O’Hanlon wrote him, six weeks after he was appointed, seemingly unaware that Wagner had been convicted by a jury. “Didn’t you eventually enter a plea on your case? I’m having a hard time understanding how your issues can get around [that].” Wagner asked the judge for a new lawyer, arguing the letter proved O’Hanlon was not interested in advocating for him. “I knew he wasn’t going to fight for me,” Wagner said in a recent interview. The judge kept O’Hanlon on the case. “A Meaningless Ritual” The roots of Pennsylvania’s no-merit letter go back to the case of Dorothy Finley, who in 1979 filed a PCRA challenging her conviction for a robbery-murder in North Philadelphia. As required in Pennsylvania, a judge appointed her a lawyer. After Finley’s lawyer decided her conviction was sound and asked to be taken off the case, a Philadelphia judge told him to file a letter with the court explaining why there was no merit to the issues she raised. The state appeals courts agreed with Finley that her post-conviction lawyer didn’t do his job adequately. But in 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court heard the case and ruled that she did not have a constitutional right to a lawyer once her case hit the post-conviction stage. The decision left it to Pennsylvania to decide what counts as effective representation and what’s required of a lawyer who wants to drop a case. Justice William Brennan Jr., in dissent, warned that the ruling would create a double standard in the justice system. Guaranteeing a lawyer to people who couldn’t afford one and then allowing that lawyer to oppose their client’s case turns the right to counsel into “a meaningless ritual,” he said. Meanwhile, a defendant who can afford private counsel would receive a “meaningful review” of their claims. Finley died in prison a decade later. The no-merit letter that attorneys file in PCRA cases is now commonly known as a Finley letter. The requirements to file a Finley letter are minimal: A lawyer only needs to describe what was done to review the case, list each claim the client wants raised, explain why the claims are bogus and notify the client of their rights. “It puts the burden on the client, and it sets up the defense lawyer as an extra prosecutor.” Jennifer Merrigan, co-founder of the nonprofit law firm Phillips Black Nationally, few states have set standards for post-conviction representation. But appeals standards published in at least 10 other states urge lawyers to avoid filing no-merit briefs when possible. The National Legal Aid & Defender Association says there should be “extremely strict” limits on them and that they should never be filed if clients are serving life terms. In Philadelphia, court data and invoices show, appointed lawyers file them in about half of all homicide PCRA matters. Court records are filled with examples of Philadelphia lawyers filing letters attacking clients who would eventually prevail in court, calling their claims “self-serving and unfounded,” “unfathomable,” “outrageous” and “specious.” “The fault lies with [my client,] not the courts,” lawyer Earl Kauffman wrote in a 2021 Finley letter. Pennsylvania’s Superior Court rejected Kauffman’s determination in a 2023 opinion. In an interview, Kauffman said he didn’t recall the case but stands behind his work. “Whatever they decide, they decide — whether they agree with me or disagree with me,” Kauffman said of the higher court’s opinion. “I did what I did. I saw what I saw. I analyzed what I analyzed.” O’Hanlon wrote a 2015 no-merit letter calling his client’s actions unjustifiable, in that he “emptied his gun, firing eight shots, at a fleeing car in a public street” — even though a federal judge, in ruling that he deserved a new trial, would interpret the same evidence as supporting the client’s self-defense claim. Asked about that finding, O’Hanlon said the judge’s observation had no bearing on the case. Jennifer Merrigan, a co-founder of the nonprofit law firm Phillips Black, said Finley letters routinely contain adversarial language and often breach confidentiality to use information lawyers have uncovered against the clients. She viewed these as “some of the most egregious ethical violations I’ve seen in my career.” “Some read like a prosecutor’s closing argument,” she said. “It puts the burden on the client, and it sets up the defense lawyer as an extra prosecutor.” Merrigan helped analyze 100 Finley letters filed in Philadelphia homicide cases for a recent Harvard Law Review article. The authors of the study — an attorney at Merrigan’s firm and a Finley letter recipient who later got his conviction overturned — concluded that the letters revealed “entrenched routine disloyalty and incompetence, even in extremely high-stakes criminal cases.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="766" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="A man and woman hug as another woman and man, smiling, look on in front of a courthouse. " class="wp-image-79015" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3594286_JGA03555_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1067 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Lawyer Jennifer Merrigan, left, leaves the Philadelphia criminal courthouse in January with her newly exonerated client, Chris Powell, center; his sister Chantel Powell-Brinkley; and paralegal Steven Lazar, right. Powell had received a no-merit letter even after one of his co-defendants had been exonerated of the 2006 shooting. Jessica Griffin/The Philadelphia Inquirer Clients can pay a steep price, said Dunham, the longtime appeals lawyer. “Sometimes any lawyer is better than having no lawyer — but sometimes having any lawyer is worse than having no lawyer,” he said. “What happens when you get a bad lawyer in the Finley process is you lose your rights.” That’s because if a lawyer discards a valid issue, it is forfeited forever. That’s what happened to Quahir Trice, who argued that when Philadelphia prosecutors used a statement by his co-defendant to convict him, the move improperly prevented Trice’s lawyer from cross-examining the witness against him. Trice’s new lawyer, appointed by the court to handle his PCRA, filed a Finley letter. But by the time Trice’s case made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, the justices wrote that although Trice would have had a winning claim, the issue was dead. Trice’s lawyer had missed an “obvious means” to raise it in his PCRA and was now barred from doing so. Trice was ultimately freed in 2022 after the Philadelphia district attorney’s office let his lawyers access his police file, which contained long-hidden evidence that police had alternative suspects and that witnesses lied at his trial. But five lawyers who handle court-appointed cases said the process set up by the Pennsylvania courts has made clear that their duties in PCRA cases are limited, and that digging into the police file or even speaking with the client is, in many cases, unnecessary. “Sometimes any lawyer is better than having no lawyer — but sometimes having any lawyer is worse than having no lawyer.” Attorney Robert Dunham George S. Yacoubian Jr., who has filed close to 100 Finley letters since 2018, said the courts have made those parameters clear. “A PCRA attorney is not supposed to be going back to the very beginning and investigating every possible thing,” he said. He added that while he has an ethical duty to his client, he has a “higher obligation to the system of law” to not present frivolous cases. Yacoubian has written Finley letters in about 80% of his PCRA cases since 2018, court records show. He said that’s to be expected. “If a client pleads guilty and there is nothing in the transcript to suggest the plea was coerced or forced or involuntary or unknowing, there is very little if anything that can be done for those defendants,” Yacoubian said. However, dockets showed that a majority of his Finley letters were for clients who had gone to trial, not taken pleas. We are continuing to report on this issue and want to hear from anyone with insight into Pennsylvania’s post-trial system, including lawyers, judges and people fighting to overturn wrongful convictions. We’re especially interested in tips that explain how funding levels and judicial oversight in your county are shaping how the system works. And we’re interested in seeing your Finley letters and other court documents that can shed light on whether the system is working as intended to correct past injustices. Contact reporter Samantha Melamed at smelamed@inquirer.com or by phone at 215-854-5053. Three Yacoubian clients, whose claims he rejected, would later be granted new trials after privately retained lawyers found valid claims to raise. Teri Himebaugh, the lawyer who won one of those PCRA cases, said it “really wasn’t all that difficult” to crack, but she said the prior lawyers had done little to investigate the case. Pennsylvania’s Superior Court sent three other Yacoubian cases back to the lower court. Twice they determined his clients deserved a hearing on the issues Yacoubian had rejected. In the other case, the higher court said it was unclear whether he’d understood his client’s claim, because there was no indication they had ever spoken. Yacoubian declined to discuss specific cases but said his filings were based on the issues in front of him. “There are some claims that a petitioner makes that are completely baseless,” he said. “Sometimes Finley letters are just necessary.” “You’re Supposed to Be Fighting for Me” O’Hanlon, the lawyer who handled Milique Wagner’s case, has filed more than 100 Finley letters since 2018. Half, dockets show, were filed less than a month after he was formally appointed. That’s a tight window in which to thoroughly investigate a case, said attorney Daniel Silverman, who in 2021 won a new trial for one of O’Hanlon’s Finley letter recipients. In a court filing, Silverman wrote that O’Hanlon’s Finley letters suggest he “often performs little or no investigation in these cases and views his role more as an agent of the courts, helping to quickly dispose of cases, than as an advocate for his client.” That case was thrown out based on a flawed jury instruction. The federal court partly blamed O’Hanlon for “overlooking obvious issues.” An Annotated Finley Letter The Philadelphia Inquirer examined the Finley letter in Wagner’s case, showing how his lawyer handled it. In another case that was overturned, prosecutors wrote in a court filing that O’Hanlon had “failed to fully read” a PCRA by a client who said his lawyer had neglected to call a key defense witness. O’Hanlon wrote, incorrectly, that his client had not named any such witness. A federal judge agreed to toss out the conviction. O’Hanlon said in an interview that he didn’t overlook the issues, but based his Finley letters on Pennsylvania court precedent and the factual circumstances of each case. O’Hanlon said that Finley letters often result from clients having missed filing deadlines. And, he said, he had to work with the issues his clients raised, not manufacture new ones. “If there are negotiated guilty pleas, almost all of those should be Finleys,” he added, because those clients have stated on the record that that plea was knowing and voluntary. But in three guilty-plea cases, the Superior Court later disagreed with him and said his clients’ issues at least merited a hearing. In one, the appeals court eventually threw out the client’s sentence altogether. O’Hanlon said he has won relief for numerous clients in PCRA cases and digs deep into each case, but sometimes he uncovers more evidence of guilt. He emphasized that even those who won new trials ended up taking pleas. “They’re still substantively guilty of murder,” he said. In seven of the nine cases that would later be overturned, O’Hanlon’s Finley letters reflect his certainty that his clients are guilty, often describing the evidence of guilt as “overwhelming” or “compelling.” One client O’Hanlon said had no claims that could outweigh his “overwhelming” guilt was Byshere Lawrence, who was 15 when he was arrested for murder in 2011. Court records show that his trial lawyer never met with him, which Lawrence claimed resulted in an unfair trial. How Lawyers in Pennsylvania Can Argue Against Their Clients Watch a video from The Philadelphia Inquirer about the case of Ronald Rogers, of one Stephen T. O’Hanlon’s clients. Another, Ronald Rogers, argued his lawyer should have objected when the judge overseeing his 2011 murder trial threatened a recanting witness with a perjury charge and “the maximum consecutive sentence” unless he reverted to his prior testimony accusing Rogers. O’Hanlon sent Finley letters to both rejecting those claims. Judges would later throw out each conviction based on the ineffectiveness of each man’s trial lawyer, and both took plea deals rather than continue fighting their cases. Rogers described that as a decision born of desperation. “I thought, I gotta get home,” he said. “I gotta see the people I love one more time.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="766" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="A man stands on the steps in front of a brick building. Next to him is a patio with a table and umbrella and the front entrance to a home." class="wp-image-79019" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RS3600981_JGA05217_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1067 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Ronald Rogers came home in December after nearly 17 years in prison. A federal appeals court said his lawyer’s failure to object when a judge threatened a witness amounted to a violation of his right to counsel. Jessica Griffin/The Philadelphia Inquirer He was released in December after nearly 17 years in prison. His two children had to grow up with their father behind bars. O’Hanlon said that he could not have raised the issues that later won the clients’ relief, either due to the clients’ instructions at the time or due to state court precedent. “There are years and years of subsequent procedural history, with multiple courts agreeing with me and some not agreeing with me,” he said. But former clients said the letters undermined one of their last shots at freedom. Hakeem Moore, who received one of those letters before his family finally hired a lawyer who uncovered evidence that led to his conviction being overturned, said getting that letter in his prison legal mail was devastating. O’Hanlon noted Moore ultimately took a guilty-plea deal, and said the evidence that freed him was not available when he handled the case. “It’s like a betrayal. You’re supposed to be fighting for me,” Moore said. “I was scared that I was going to have to die in jail.” Left to Their Own Devices For almost 40 years, the requirements created in the Finley case have set the minimum for what’s required of court-appointed PCRA lawyers in Pennsylvania. Beyond that, lawyers are largely left to decide what constitutes a meaningful review. They are subject to some oversight: Pennsylvania courts require judges to independently review the record before accepting a Finley letter. And the whole court-appointed system is overseen by a supervising judge who has the power to review complaints and remove lawyers. The analysis of invoices in homicide PCRA cases showed that even though most lawyers filing Finley letters did not take basic investigative steps, judges approved of the work that attorneys had done in more than 90% of the letters filed. “There are years and years of subsequent procedural history, with multiple courts agreeing with me and some not agreeing with me.” Stephen T. O’Hanlon, the attorney assigned to Milique Wagner’s case And even if judges take issue with lawyers’ work, that does not necessarily affect their ability to take more cases. Once on Philadelphia’s court-appointment list, lawyers can remain there indefinitely. That’s a sharp contrast to the federal court for Pennsylvania’s Eastern District, where lawyers must reapply every three years, self-reporting everything from previous case outcomes to disciplinary actions to judicial findings that they were ineffective in court. In Philadelphia, the supervising judge has the authority to remove lawyers from the list in response to complaints. But formal reprimands from the state disciplinary board and criticism from the state appeals court have not affected some lawyers’ eligibility to continue taking appointed cases. One lawyer, Lee Mandell, was officially reprimanded last year for waiting six years to schedule a PCRA hearing, during which time two key witnesses died. James Lloyd was reprimanded in 2020 for failing to contact his client for 10 months after being appointed, then making up a letter to cover up that fact. Judges still appointed both to handle cases, and Philadelphia’s court leadership in 2022 tapped Lloyd to lead a training on PCRAs for other lawyers. Lloyd did not respond to emails or phone calls requesting an interview. Mandell declined to comment. Also continuing to receive appointments is attorney Douglas Dolfman. The state Superior Court criticized his PCRA work six times over the last six years, finding he abandoned two clients and “deprived [another] of meaningful representation.” In one case, the Superior Court said the lower court could consider “sanctions including, but not limited to, reporting him to the disciplinary board.” The state bar directory shows no disciplinary action followed. In an interview, Dolfman said he diligently investigates each case and fights hard for his clients. “If the person has been in jail for 20 years, you’re pretty much not finding anything. Most likely everything has been exhausted already,” Dolfman said. He didn’t address the appellate court’s criticism. As for Milique Wagner, after receiving the Finley letter he’d spend another nine years in prison for the murder to which the prosecution’s star witness had confessed. But in 2022, the disgraced detective who built the case against him, Nordo, was convicted of raping informants and funneling them crime reward money. A year later, the district attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit agreed that the prosecutor’s failure to disclose evidence about Nordo and the informant who testified against Wagner had resulted in an unfair trial. Wagner came home from prison in January. He’s starting over in life at age 37 and looking for work. He married a woman who has been taking care of his ailing grandmother. He said he has not given up on clearing his name in court, but he’s decided to represent himself going forward. He no longer has faith that a lawyer would help him. “It’s like a game to them,” he said. “I’m not going to gamble. I know how it turned out before.” The post With a Chance at Freedom, They Faced an Unexpected Obstacle: Their Own Lawyers appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Samantha Melamed.
Trump gutted USAID. Hunger and violence followed.
Researchers are just beginning to understand the human cost of America's retreat from international aid.
For decades, the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, worked across many of the world’s most food-insecure and climate-besieged regions, funding thousands of humanitarian, healthcare, food, and disaster relief programs. That all changed last year when, days after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, his administration issued a stop-work order that suspended nearly all of USAID’s overseas programs. Then, last July, the administration informally dissolved the agency — leading to the largest withdrawal of American international development aid in more than sixty years. A new study published May 14 in the journal Science suggests the sudden USAID shutdown could have been linked to an uptick in violent conflict across much of Africa, with some of the most politically fragile regions seeing the largest spikes. Outside experts, however, caution that the findings are preliminary and may not capture the bigger picture. Farming and agricultural markets are easily disrupted by conflict, and when conflict occurs food security worsens because it can limit communities’ access to food. At the same time, deepening food insecurity in fragile political states contributes to social unrest. Climate impacts then layer onto this fragility. Extreme weather is second only to conflict in having the greatest effect on global hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, according to a UN report. That’s in part because it increasingly causes people to migrate as they flee places destroyed by rising seas and cataclysmic storms, which, in turn, can fuel conflict. “It is undeniable that USAID programming around food aid, including emergency food kitchens, therapeutic foods, and health and water programming on which basic food and nutritional security is built, provided a critical lifeline to millions of women, children, and families in severe nutritional deficits,” said Zia Mehrabi, a food security and climate change researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. “Who in their right mind would retract healthcare and food so abruptly, in so many places, when the direct result is people suffering and dying?” In analyzing the impact of funding cuts on conflict across 870 subnational African regions that had been receiving different levels of USAID services, the Science paper’s authors found that in the roughly ten months that followed the administration’s immediate withdrawal of aid, areas that had previously received more USAID support may have experienced more or different types of conflict. Using two global datasets that track funding disbursements and violent conflict, the study suggests that, in areas with high historical USAID funding, there was an 12.3 percent increase in conflict overall and a 7.3 percent surge in armed battles; protests and riots in these areas rose by 6.8 percent and battle-related fatalities by 9.3 percent after the shutdown. According to Austin Wright, a University of Chicago researcher who studies the political economy of conflict, and a co-author of the paper, the effects have been swift and destabilizing. “There is nothing that we’re aware of in recorded human history of the magnitude of that shutdown, in terms of ending a country’s commitment at a global scale,” said Wright. Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="Aerial view of riverbank dwellers carrying banana produce over the dry Solimoes riverbed" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1600w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=330%2C220&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GettyImages-2175300723.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="1067" width="1600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> The world is getting too hot to feed itself Ayurella Horn-Muller Established in 1961, USAID was created to encourage economic and social development in emerging nations while countering the Cold War influence of the Soviet Union. Building resilience in foreign political systems has, in recent decades, been “one of the main goals of the work of USAID,” said Chelsea Marcho, a senior director for research and policy at the Food Security Leadership Council and former USAID official under Biden, who was not involved in the Science paper. The study showing that violence may have been less severe in places where USAID had helped build stronger institutions, she said, only underscores the value of those aid investments. One example is the largely-discontinued work to develop more resilient food systems across Sub-Saharan African nations facing higher rates of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. But what many tend to forget, says Marcho, is that USAID also funded the bulk of pivotal data collection efforts across much of the world’s most food-insecure and climate-vulnerable regions. The dissolution of the agency has prompted widespread disruptions in everything from localized weather monitoring to one of the primary global famine early warning systems. Although some of these systems have since been restored, the gaps in monitoring coupled with the decreased capacity across aid organizations means it is all the more difficult to understand what is happening on the ground. Indeed, the end of USAID has buckled our ability to measure the very outcomes of the end of USAID. “The visibility that we have around food security is potentially in decline at the same time that the risks to the system are increasing,” said Marcho. “How do we actually get the data we need?” Mehrabi finds the new paper creates “more questions than answers.” He argues the mechanisms of measurement are unclear, the analysis period is too short, and the authors don’t adequately disentangle USAID’s specific effects from Trump’s simultaneous cuts to other U.S. international funding sources, such as the State Department. “The results are clearly early and tentative,” he said. “I think it is a leap to say this is all attributable to USAID.” Wright, for his part, acknowledges the study has limitations, including a short post-shock observation window of just 10 months, a disbursement baseline drawn from the first Trump administration rather than the period immediately before the cuts, and a geographic scope confined to Africa — leaving much open to future research. He says the team ran extensive robustness checks addressing these concerns, detailed in the paper’s appendix. After running his own reanalysis of their data, Mehrabi, however, remains unconvinced. What’s more, he warns against the possible takeaway that the presence of American developmental intervention equates to stability. The U.S., he argues, could more effectively help deter widespread conflict and hunger in nations like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, through more equitable benefit-sharing of natural resource extraction from critical mineral supply chains. This would “far outweigh any benefits from foreign aid,” proposed Mehrabi. Nevertheless, with an annual budget of tens of billions, and an institutional history spanning 64 years, USAID’s developmental footprint throughout the African continent was no small thing. “One cannot simply create USAID all over again, or give it a mandate and give it funding and assume that we have waved a wand and we can reverse the damage done,” said Wright. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Trump gutted USAID. Hunger and violence followed. on May 19, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Ayurella Horn-Muller.
Māori climate risk worsened by colonization, report finds
A sweeping national climate assessment argues that exclusion from decision-making has amplified Indigenous vulnerability to floods, storms, and erosion.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, record-breaking storms and flooding are impacting Māori land, health, and culture. And, according to a new national climate report, colonization has intensified those risks. The 2026 National Climate Change Risk Assessment is composed of four reports, including a companion document focused on Māori communities. That report argues that climate change is likely to deepen existing inequities shaped by colonization, exclusion from decision-making, and chronic underinvestment. To mitigate the impacts of climate change, the assessment points to Māori-led adaptation as uniquely effective. It calls for policy grounded in Māori customs and knowledge, Indigenous data sovereignty, and stronger Māori authority in climate decision-making. “For more than 150 years Māori have been pushed to the margins, literally, by an aggressive colonization process,” said Paora Tapsell, who is Ngāti Whakaue and Ngāti Raukawa, and the director of the Kāika Institute of Climate Resilience at Lincoln University. The assessment, released earlier this month, adds to a growing body of national reports that highlight the harmful impacts of colonial policies on Indigenous peoples and the environment. In 2023, the United States’ Fifth National Climate Assessment found that land theft and colonization had exacerbated climate change’s impact. The year before, Australia’s State of the Environment report was prepared with an Indigenous lead author for the first time; it found that Indigenous peoples were more likely to be impacted by extreme weather events like fires. It too called for incorporating Indigenous knowledge into climate policies. Despite these findings, Indigenous leaders around the world say national governments are still not listening to them. Aotearoa New Zealand recently experienced one of its most active severe weather seasons on record, with multiple declared states of emergency across the nation’s two islands. It also found that the country’s Indigenous peoples are essential in responding to such disasters. “The report accurately acknowledges that many kāinga [Māori settlements], despite their relative impoverishment, are still willing first responders on the frontline of increasingly severe climate events,” Shaun Awatere, who is Ngāti Porou and lead author of the companion report, said. The assessment’s seven interconnected risk areas span environmental, cultural, and economic domains. It says the loss of protected endemic species is not only a biodiversity issue, but also affects food gathering places, the Māori lunar calendar, traditional customs, and intergenerational knowledge systems. According to the report, some species could face near-irreversible decline in parts of the country under high-emissions scenarios by 2090. Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unfpii-2026-finance.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unfpii-2026-finance.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 2000w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unfpii-2026-finance.jpg?resize=1200%2C678&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unfpii-2026-finance.jpg?resize=330%2C186&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unfpii-2026-finance.jpg?resize=768%2C434&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unfpii-2026-finance.jpg?resize=1536%2C868&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unfpii-2026-finance.jpg?resize=160%2C90&quality=75&strip=all 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unfpii-2026-finance.jpg?resize=150%2C85&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="1130" width="2000" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> Indigenous peoples bear the brunt of climate change — and get almost none of the money to fight it Anita Hofschneider Across Māori lands, climate-driven extreme weather events have had a destructive impact on infrastructure. But the report outlines how flooding, erosion, storms, and wildfires also present cultural risks by threatening tribal meeting places, burial sites, and communal homes. It warns that repeated damage and displacement could lead to long-term cultural fragmentation and disconnection from ancestral land. Climate impacts may also be felt economically. Māori-owned forestry, farming, aquaculture, and horticulture enterprises face rising pressure from climate hazards, costs, and underinvestment in adaptation. Without structural reform and targeted support, the assessment says that economic vulnerability will increase. Awatere says the findings confirm what tribes have been saying for years. “Climate events do not arrive one at a time,” he said. “A storm floods a road, damages a marae [tribal meeting place], erodes whenua [land], disrupts access to mahinga kai [food gathering places], and overwhelms health and welfare systems that were already stretched, all at once. Each of those harms compounds the next.” The assessment also said climate-driven displacement and ecological degradation could disrupt the transmission of language, customary practices, lineage relationships, and Indigenous knowledge systems between generations. Awatere highlighted ongoing structural exclusion of Māori from climate planning and adaptation systems, despite the government’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, which is the country’s founding document. The report describes legal exclusion and governance failure as a major risk multiplier, compounding climate impacts across all domains. Awatere says the central question is whether adaptation plans will reflect that evidence, or whether Māori communities will continue to carry a disproportionate risk of harm. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Māori climate risk worsened by colonization, report finds on May 19, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Te Aniwaniwa Paterson.
French Senate endorses change to New Caledonia’s ‘frozen’ electoral roll
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk The French Senate has endorsed proposed changes to New Caledonia’s restricted electoral roll to allow “native” people to vote in next month’s local elections. The proposed changes relax current vote restrictions enforced under the Nouméa Accord, signed in 1998, a situation often referred to as the
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk The French Senate has endorsed proposed changes to New Caledonia’s restricted electoral roll to allow “native” people to vote in next month’s local elections. The proposed changes relax current vote restrictions enforced under the Nouméa Accord, signed in 1998, a situation often referred to as the “frozen” electoral roll. The relaxing measure concerns an estimated 10,000+ voters, who were born in New Caledonia since 1998 and have since reached the voting age of 18. READ MORE: Other Kanaky New Caledonia reports The measures, initially perceived as a way to protect against any dilution of the indigenous Kanak voters, only concerned about 8 percent of the population. But as time went by, it was now barring 17 percent, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told French Senators on Monday evening Paris time. He said this growing proportion infringed on France’s principles of universal and equal suffrage. After hours of debates in Paris, the vote on Monday was 304 in favour and 20 against. Obtained a pledge Over the past few weeks, Lecornu held more talks with New Caledonian politicians from all sides of the spectrum, and said he had obtained a pledge that after the 28 June 2026 provincial elections, everyone would come back to the table and resume comprehensive political talks concerning New Caledonia’s future status. He said the talks would start as soon as July 2026 and would have to bring an outcome “before the end of the year”. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" src="https://media.rnztools.nz/rnz/image/upload/s--iQXhmIY6--/c_scale,f_auto,q_auto,w_1050/v1779151629/4JODV5H_French_Senate_endorses_changes_in_New_Caledonia_s_electoral_roll_for_provincial_elections_PHOTO_Senat_fr_jpg?_a=BACCd2AD" alt="French Senate endorses changes in New Caledonia’s electoral roll for provincial elections – PHOTO Senat.fr" width="1050" height="552" /> French Senate endorses changes in New Caledonia’s electoral roll for provincial elections. Image: Senat.fr/RNZ Pacific Yes to ‘natives’, no to ‘spouses’ But the Senate did not approve of another amendment which aimed at extending the “unfreezing” of New Caledonia’s electoral roll to “spouses” of qualified voters. The inclusion of those who are regarded as spouses was aimed at those who had been married (or entered into a French Civil Union pact) there for at least five years and latest estimates showed this concerned between 1500 to 1800 people. New Caledonia’s Senator (Les Républicains, right-wing) Georges Naturel, who was the mover of the motion, admitted himself that this additional clause for “spouses” would potentially expose the text to a censure from the French Constitutional Council. New Caledonia’s other Senator Robert Xowie (pro-independence FLNKS) warned of yet another attempt of “passage en force” which would probably make the provincial elections campaign “even more radical”. The proposed changes to New Caledonia’s electoral makeup come less than six weeks ahead of crucial elections in the French Pacific territory. The provincial elections are scheduled to be held on 28 June and, based on proportional representation, they will determine not only New Caledonia’s three provincial assemblies (North, South and the Loyalty Islands), but also the territorial Congress, its local government and its president. Lecornu: Status quo would sow seeds of fresh violence Taking the floor on Monday before the Senate, Lecornu stressed that not changing New Caledonia’s electoral rule “cannot be a solid base for the future”. Lecornu said not doing anything would potentially sow the seeds of fresh violence in New Caledonia. Earlier attempts to change New Caledonia’s status under the French Constitution, in May 2024, have led to insurrectional riots, which caused 14 deaths and over 2 billion euros (abot NZ$3.9 billion) in damages, as well as thousands of jobs lost due to the destruction of hundreds of businesses. Lecornu said his government’s Bill was meant to offer New Caledonia’s political stakeholders — both pro-France and pro-independence — a “balanced” compromise. But this reform for “natives” still has many hurdles to pass. On Wednesday (local time), the French Lower House, the National Assembly, which is divided and less likely to approve the French Organic Bill, is also to vote on the same text. On April 2, the National Assembly rejected an earlier attempt to change France’s Constitution to implement the outcome of talks held in July 2025 (Bougival talks) and in January 2026 (Matignon-Oudinot talks). The process was proposing to create a “State” of New Caledonia and a correlated “Nationality”, all under the French framework. New Caledonia’s Congress building in Nouméa: Image: RRB Mixed feelings from New Caledonia’s polarised Congress A few hours earlier on Monday in Nouméa, New Caledonia’s Congress was also convened at the request of the French government. The meeting was also dedicated to the Organic Bill later debated in the Senate. The request was to provide French lawmakers with a snapshot of the parties’ views regarding the text. The sitting lasted hours in Nouméa and, once again, it was the reiteration of each party’s stance on the proposed changes to the electoral roll conditions of eligibility. The final vote reflected a polarised landscape, with each party camping on their respective positions. On the pro-France side, most were in favour of opening the vote to the “natives”, but many regretted that the same could not be done for their spouses. “Which country in the world is barring its own children to choose their local representatives? None,” an indignant pro-France Rassemblement group leader Virginie Ruffenach said. “Not now,” replied UC-FLNKS group leader Pierre-Chanel Tutugoro, who said the electoral roll was “a fundamental pillar of (New Caledonia’s decolonisation process, as enshrined in the (1998) Nouméa Accord”. Tutugoro said this could not be modified outside of a wider political agreement. The final vote in the Congress on the inclusion of “natives” reflected those divisions: 25 in favour (including pro-France Rassemblement and pro-independence UNI [Union Nationale pour l’Indépendance]), 14 against (pro-independence Union Calédonienne-FLNKS [Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front]) and 13 abstentions (pro-France Les Loyalistes). More pre-election local moves on the local front Meanwhile, over the weekend, the four main components of the pro-France block announced a pact to contest the upcoming provincial elections as a united front. These are Sonia Backès (Républicains Calédoniens), Nicolas Metzdorf (Génération NC), Alcide Ponga (Rassemblement — Les Républicains) and Gil Brial (Mouvement Populaire Calédonien). In a joint statement, they have announced they have chosen the “general interest”, based on common candidates. “Together, we share the essential: our indefectible attachment to France, civil peace, democracy and institutional stability,” they wrote. “On 28 June, the choice will be simple: between division that paralyses and union that builds”. At a media conference held on Friday, May 15, FLNKS leader Christian Téin said they remained open to talks with other parties. He said there was a “will to build our country with all voluntary groups”, including in New Caledonia’s Southern province (where the capital Nouméa is located and traditionally perceived as pro-France). Security reinforcements to arrive soon: French High Commissioner Speaking to local Radio Rythme Bleu on Monday, France’s High Commissioner in New Caledonia Jacques Billant said preparations were currently being made in preparation of the French Pacific territory’s provincial elections. “My priority as High Commissioner is that the elections take place in a serene atmosphere so that every political force can campaign in the best possible conditions and that each and every voter can exercise their civic right”. He said the French Ministry of Interior (Home Affairs) “will allow reinforcements for New Caledonia. They will arrive gradually starting mid-June”. “We’re talking about over 300 gendarmes who will arrive to reinforce the 2000 police force and gendarmes already deployed.” This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Author Avigayl Sharp on loving the process even when it hurts
How did you become a writer? It’s always an interesting question to think about, because retroactively, your life appears so inevitable, but I don’t think that I’m someone who wanted to be a writer from childhood. I read a lot. I was a pretty lonely kid. Books were my friends. I was one of those people. And over time writing became something that I did more seriously. I was a dabbler. I dabbled in everything. I sang. I was a theater kid. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment that writing became the thing that I knew that I was going to do, although now it feels like, “of course, I couldn’t have been anything else.” I think that writers are people who have difficulty expressing themselves, and I had difficulty saying or knowing what I meant. I had fantasies of people really listening to me. When you write something, no one can speak back, you inhabit other people’s minds. And so that might have been what really ended up drawing me to [writing]. That one way mirror. The feeling that you can make someone see what you see. Of course, people can stop reading, but there’s a fantasy where you draw them in. In real life, I’m a people pleaser. I try to say what I think people want me to say. Writing became a place where I didn’t have to do that, or maybe at the beginning it was, and then, later it changed. I started writing more seriously in college. I took an Intro to Fiction course with a teacher who was tough on me in a good way, and my dabbling just became something else. And it became something that I really, really, really wanted to be good at. It began to feel like a vocation. What do you mean by “tough on you”? I felt like everything I wrote was wonderful, but he was like, “there’s a lot here that needs work.” There’s a moment when you decide to do something for the good of itself. You’re like, “okay, maybe I really want to see what I can do. Maybe I’m really willing to work. Maybe it’s not going to come easily to me and that’s okay.” That was the beginning of my love of working, instead of just loving the praise. Did you always know you wanted to write a novel? This novel? The whole process of writing a novel was surprising to me. I did not always know that I wanted to write a novel. I was a short story writer. I loved short stories. I actually felt like I had this fundamental sense that I would be incapable of writing a novel. Novels were what I read. I read a lot of short stories too, but I loved the novel as a form. It felt really impenetrable to me, maybe because of the length, sustaining a voice for that long, sustaining one mode for that long, building a structure that could maintain itself for that long. So no, I absolutely did not always know that I was going to write a novel, or this novel in particular. By the time I felt that I wanted to write a novel, I didn’t have an idea, it was more so that I just felt compelled enough by the form that I knew I wanted to do it, but I didn’t know what it was going to be at all. It ended up coming together because I got a fellowship in Provincetown. Maybe the way I work is that I really need something to latch on to, something that I can extrapolate from, and moving to this really small coastal, weird, beautiful, mysterious town in the offseason, in the fall, suddenly opened something up for me. A couple weeks in, I wrote the first scene of the book. I had gone to a bar and I started writing about the bar, and then this voice sort of began to emerge. And I had worried that I wouldn’t be able to find a voice that could sustain the book, but I was like, “okay, maybe there’s something here.” I felt like it could propel me. The whole thing was surprising, and I never knew if it was going to hold together. How long did it take from beginning to end? It was faster than I would have imagined, because I am generally a pretty slow writer. I spent seven months working on it at this fellowship in Provincetown, and then I left, and had to do work for money. And then I finished the first draft after seven weeks at another residency. So it ended up taking a year, and then there was some editing and revision. I don’t really do multiple drafts. I really have to nail something down before I can move on. So, the first chapter took me forever, and the second chapter took me forever, and then I had to go back and fix it. The final quarter of the book was much faster to write. Why do you think that is your process? What is it about your personality that requires such a level of scrupulousness? Oh, it’s such a good question! It’s the only way I can work. I don’t know. What I enjoy about writing, what attracts me to it, is the nailing down of language. So if it doesn’t sing to me, I have no interest in moving on. I never know what’s gonna happen next. I don’t have a plan. So, if I can’t lock in what it’s doing, then I have nowhere to move. But it also makes it really scary. I really felt like the whole time I was writing into the dark, totally into the dark, no idea if I would finish. The voice of your protagonist is so singular, so zany. How did you find her voice? And the voices of your other characters. Your style of dialogue is so effervescent. Voice is the thing that comes first. Even if it’s third person, if I don’t have a narrative voice, I don’t know where to go. I think the voice of this novel, the voice of probably everything I’ve written, comes from so many books that I’ve read and so many different influences that come together unconsciously. I was reading a lot of W.G. Sebald-influenced novels, and I thought there would be something funny about merging that tradition with something a lot more insane, with an extreme comic sensibility. There’s a lack of quotation marks in the dialog. There’s something about dialogue that is reported and dialogue that exists without quotations, that I think allows the voice of the narrator to seep a little bit more into the voices of other characters. And there are moments where it can get really porous between those things. So, I wanted that kind of effect where sometimes the novel as a whole feels more singular, like one single breath. Let’s talk about autofiction. Does your fiction ever resemble your actual life? What is your take on this played out term? I’m trying to decide if I hate this question, or I don’t know? I have no idea. I am not an autofiction hater. I think there are a lot of autofiction haters out there in this economy. I love autofiction. I love the tradition. I don’t consider my work autofiction. There are resemblances. You’re from “the city in the middle of the country.” Yeah, exactly. I think there are some very surface level biographical similarities that I can take from my life. I was about to say, out of laziness, which is not exactly true, but out of a sort of need to hold on to something. Or maybe it’s that I need something to grab me, or it’s things that I am preoccupied with. But then everything that happens in this novel is all made up. I’ve worked at a school, but I was an administrative assistant. I was interested in the school conceptually. I was interested in the idea of a campus novel and of teachers, but I never taught Bleak House. I’ve never taught troubled girls. I’ve never worked at a boarding school. Your writing is so funny leaning towards the absurd. How does humor play into your creative process? Why is humor important to you? Is it? I’m not funny in real life. Yes, you are! I’m like a normal amount. I’m a normal person. I take humor really seriously, as an aesthetic mode. It helps us get close to things that we don’t want to look at. I think that is a seductive technique. It’s a kind of spasm, when you laugh, it’s like a spasm of your consciousness, and it’s a little bit out of control. Humor, when it’s working well, can draw you somewhere that you really don’t want to go, that you didn’t expect. I really love books that have no sense of humor, but I’m picky about humor in books. I tend to want it to be doing something more. I’m interested in humor that sort of works with defenses as a way of breaking through them. Sometimes you read something and you feel that it really is defensive, or it’s ingratiating. It wants you to like it. It wants you to laugh desperately. I don’t want to be desperate. It’s really the mood that I’m drawn to. What humor books do you like? I love Nabokov. I love Joy Williams. Muriel Spark. Dostoyevsky. There are parts of Notes from Underground that I think are the funniest things I’ve ever read, but are also dark. Lots of famous canonical novels are featured in Offseason, like Charles Dickens’ Bleak House and Kafka’s The Trial. Who or what are you inspired by? Some of the people I just named are big inspirations for me, for the book in general. In terms of contemporary writers, I really love Fernanda Melchor, she’s a writer that I find just absolutely incredible. Also, Claire-Louise Bennett. I was interested in working with the canon in Offseason, because it is sort of a book about literature. In a way, it is a book about the novel. And I thought there would be something both very funny and very serious about taking a figure like Charles Dickens and taking that really seriously as an obsession. When I read Bleak House, I lost my mind. I was like, this is an absolutely incredible, incredible, incredible book. I know you are off social media for the most part. Has this distance from the distraction machine made you a better, more disciplined writer? Or what have you learned about yourself and/or society while off of it? I went off social media because I’m not strong enough. The temptation of creating an image, creating an image around yourself, creating a narrative around yourself is too strong for me, too painful, too tempting. I admire people who are able to engage with it in a way that doesn’t pull their whole self into it. At a certain point, I realized that there was something about it that was making me sick. Spiritually sick. And so I had to leave. And sometimes I do feel like, “Oh no, I’m a little out of touch.” And it’s true. I also think the internet is like a material part of the way we live now. And I’m not a writer who is a Luddite. I don’t want to pretend that technology doesn’t exist. In my work, I don’t want to pretend social media doesn’t exist. So, I do think about it. My attention span is still pretty bad. There are many things that I can scroll on my phone, like Google.com. I can find anything. But I do think it has helped me detach from being perceived, from wanting to be loved. I think it’s bad for me as a writer to want to be loved too much. It makes my work bad. I know you’ve been living in Germany the last year or so, how has this change of scenery impacted your creative work? I don’t even yet know what is going to come of that year, my year abroad. I think that disorientation, being dislocated from your language, are all really useful things for a writer. I’m also interested in Americanness. Where is your mother from, again? Soviet Lithuania. And the narrator’s mother is also from Soviet Lithuania? Yes. Surprise! Having a parent who was not born in the States makes me feel even more American. I am compared to her. And I think she really, really sees me as an American. But I also, to a certain extent, feel some level of alienation. I’m interested in what that means. And so living abroad in Germany was interesting, but I don’t know what’s going to come of it. I haven’t written much that’s reckoned with any of it yet. What do you love most about writing and being a writer? Hmm. Dedicating your life to something outside of yourself, to art, it’s a great honor. It’s a gift to be able to love something and do something that I think matters. The fact that I can live a life of literature, I couldn’t imagine a greater gift. It’s really sappy, but I think it’s lucky. I think it’s very lucky. I don’t know what it means to be a writer. I don’t know at what point you’re like, “I am a writer.” Like that is my identity. My professional identity. What is it that makes you a writer? Is it publishing something, or is it writing? I think you know if you’re a writer. If you do, you write. If you commit your life to it. What do you love least? Well, writing is really hard. Like, I’m not someone who’s like, “I’m walking on sunshine.” Sometimes it feels really sublime. Sometimes it’s devastating. And my own lack and the fact that you can never make something that is as good as it appears in your mind, it’s very painful. But I still love that part. I think that’s part of what makes it beautiful. There’s this Thomas Mann quote that I saw the other day: “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” That is true. I think grappling with the difficulty is what makes it a worthwhile challenge. I also think the real difficult part is turning art into a product, into a commodity. Art becomes commerce. No one likes that. That’s pretty universal. Maybe there are some writers who are like, “I love that part. I love commerce. I love the part that is commerce.” What is your relationship to creativity? What advice would you give other writers and artists on how to harness their creativity? My relationship to creativity is fraught. I am someone who goes through fertile and fallow periods. I’m not someone who is like “I write every day and every day it’s a joy.” There are times when I feel like I’m in despair and I’m never gonna write again, and that happens to me almost every time I finish something. I do think you have to have faith in your unconscious, in your intuitions, in the sense that what has to be will be. And people talk about this all the time, but it’s so true: the more you read, the more you encounter the world, something will come of it. I used to have a bad habit of waiting for the muse. “I’m waiting for the muse, I’m waiting for the muse.” And something that writing a novel taught me was that I had to impose a pretty rigid schedule on myself, and I really had to commit to working. What did your schedule look like? I tried to write five or six times a week. I took one day off. I would read a short story when I woke up, and then I would write. I would put my phone in a lockbox. I have to stop talking about this lock box. I’m literally constantly talking about it. I would have to sit and write, or if I wasn’t writing, I’d be thinking about writing, and then I would read novels in the afternoon. I’d go for walks and also do other things. Elizabeth McCracken once said something to me that was really helpful, where she was like, “you have to romanticize the good parts of your process.” Some people romanticize the bad parts of their process, which is something that I was definitely doing. I do think process is really, really individual. But it has to be yours. Now that your first novel is out in the world (both the US and the UK!), what advice would you give to your past self if you could go back in time and talk to her? To her? I’d be like, “Have a little more faith. Calm down.” I would get so worked up. The whole thing is so mysterious. You’re so lost. And I think I would try to tell myself to accept being lost, enjoy it. Avigayl Sharp recommends: Mike Leigh’s High Hopes tapioca pudding the science of psychoanalysis Muriel Spark’s The Comforters custom orthotics This content originally appeared on The Creative Independent and was authored by Diana Ruzova.
Greenpeace calls on global govts to ensure safety of Gaza flotilla stormed by Israeli military
Asia Pacific Report Greenpeace International has condemned Israeli armed forces for illegally attacking a peaceful Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters for the second time. The flobal environmental movement said in a statement it echoed the Global Sumud Flotilla’s urgent demand for safe passage for their peaceful humanitarian mission. “Governments must act now to
Asia Pacific Report Greenpeace International has condemned Israeli armed forces for illegally attacking a peaceful Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters for the second time. The flobal environmental movement said in a statement it echoed the Global Sumud Flotilla’s urgent demand for safe passage for their peaceful humanitarian mission. “Governments must act now to stop these illegal acts of aggression,” the Greenpeace statement said. READ MORE: Irish president’s sister, 2 Kiwis among Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel The Flotilla Tracker map showing the location of the vessels Live streams from the flotilla Other Gaza humanitarian flotilla reports Greenpeace spokesperson Pujarini Sen said: “In Palestine, in Lebanon and now in international waters, Israel’s disregard for human rights and international law cannot be tolerated. “How long will the world stand by and watch Israel act with such impunity? ‘Protect the flotilla’ “Greenpeace calls on all governments to act with urgency to uphold international law and ensure the immediate release and protection of the Global Sumud Flotilla with concrete steps to ensure its safe passage to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.” The Global Sumud Flotilla is a peaceful international movement sailing to oppose Israel’s genocidal siege on Gaza, to confront the complicity that enables occupation, and to stand with the Palestinian people. The Israeli government continues to enforce a blockade by land and sea of aid and food from international organisations. Blocking aid and targeting those who attempt to deliver it are violations of international humanitarian law.⁣ CPJ protest over journalists In New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on international governments to demand the immediate release and protection of all civilians detained after Israeli forces attacked and intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, including at least seven journalists on board. “Detaining journalists for documenting a humanitarian mission is a grave violation of press freedom and international law,” said CPJ’s MENA regional director Sara Qudah in a statement. “Israeli authorities must restore communications, ensure the safety of all passengers, and allow independent media to report without intimidation, violence, or arbitrary detention. “Governments worldwide must act now to prevent further Israeli attacks on journalists and humanitarian civilians.” At least 40 countries are represented by some 500 protesters and humanitarian activists on board the flotilla. Israel is reported to have boarded and seized more than 60 boats in the flotilla. At least two New Zealanders are reported to have been kidnapped by the Israeli military. CPJ calls on international governments to demand the immediate release and protection of all civilians detained after #Israeli forces attacked and intercepted #the_Global_Sumud_Flotilla in international waters, including at least 7 #journalists on board. Detaining journalists for… pic.twitter.com/OpcQ33Jgrj — CPJ MENA (@CPJMENA) May 18, 2026 This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Eleven Fiji police officers investigated for ties to Auckland drug trade links
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist A multinational police investigation implicating 11 Fiji police officers in collusion with drug traffickers has been handed over to prosecutors. The Fiji police announced that the investigation, lasting nearly six months, now awaits advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on how to proceed. On December 1 last
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist A multinational police investigation implicating 11 Fiji police officers in collusion with drug traffickers has been handed over to prosecutors. The Fiji police announced that the investigation, lasting nearly six months, now awaits advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on how to proceed. On December 1 last year, a social media activist posted more than 100 screenshots of Viber messages between the officers and a member of an Auckland-based organised crime group. READ MORE: Other Fiji crime reports Police personnel depicted in the screenshots ranged from beat cops to Criminal Intelligence Division (CID) officers to the head of the Narcotics Bureau. The texts purportedly showed the Narcotics Bureau chief and others demanding a hit be put out on an individual, providing tip-offs about possible locations and movements. They also depicted officers demanding payments, with details of drop zones and pickup arrangements. Police said that each officer’s financial histories was investigated. Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu told local media on 19 December 2025 that the Narcotics Bureau chief had been placed on leave. NZ ‘assisted’ investigation A statement confirmed that Australian and New Zealand authorities “assisted” in the investigation. Tudravu confirmed in a press conference that United States authorities were also involved. New Zealand police said they were “in touch” from December onwards. “Fiji Police is leading the investigation, and New Zealand Police has offered any support that Fiji Police may require,” they said. On December 2, Tudravu announced the investigation, with the officers’ phones confiscated shortly after. Police confirmed the investigation concluded last week. The US Embassy in Wellington, where an FBI office is set up, declined to comment. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
‘There’s no ceasefire’: Sister of assassinated Hamas leader to The Grayzone
Evo Morales to The Grayzone: ‘The people have reached their breaking point’
Irish president’s sister, 2 Kiwis among Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel
Asia Pacific Report Irish President Catherine Connolly’s sister is among the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces, reports Middle East Monitor. Dr Margaret Connolly was among at least six Irish citizens aboard the aid flotilla detained by Israel, the Irish Independent reported, citing activists. At least two New Zealanders — Hāhona Ormsby
Asia Pacific Report Irish President Catherine Connolly’s sister is among the Gaza-bound Global Sumud flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces, reports Middle East Monitor. Dr Margaret Connolly was among at least six Irish citizens aboard the aid flotilla detained by Israel, the Irish Independent reported, citing activists. At least two New Zealanders — Hāhona Ormsby and Julien Blondel — have also been detained, according to the Global Sumud Aotearoa — support delegation. READ MORE: Spain summons Israeli envoy over Gaza flotilla interception, calls it ‘new violation of international law’ Türkiye condemns new Israeli ‘piracy’ against Gaza aid flotilla in international waters The Global Sumud Flotilla Tracker Other Gaza flotilla reports WATCH: An Al Jazeera Instagram report showing the Israeli military storming the flotilla <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-128020 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Dr-Margaret-Connolly-Sumud-300tall.png" alt="Detained . . . Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Ireland's President Catherine Connolly" width="300" height="434" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Dr-Margaret-Connolly-Sumud-300tall.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Dr-Margaret-Connolly-Sumud-300tall-207x300.png 207w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Dr-Margaret-Connolly-Sumud-300tall-290x420.png 290w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Detained by Israeli military . . . Dr Margaret Connolly, sister of Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly, in a video released by the Global Sumud Flotilla. Image: GSF screenshot APR A third New Zealander, Mousa Taher, was still sailing toward Gaza aboard the Kasri Sadabat. According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, 10 boats from a 60-vessel convoy were intercepted in international waters and boarded by Israeli forces earlier on Monday. Organisers said the interception took place around 70 nautical miles off the island of Cyprus, with at least six of the 15 Irish participants detained. The flotilla released videos from Connolly and five other activists that appeared to have been recorded before the interception. ‘If you are watching . . . ‘ “If you are watching this video, it means I have been kidnapped from my boat in the flotilla by the Israeli occupying forces, and I’m now being held illegally in an Israeli prison,” Connolly said in the video. “I am so proud to be taking part in this flotilla — it is the largest to date,” she added. The Israeli army attacked and intercepted the Gaza-bound Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla in international waters and detained around 100 activists as the mission sought to break Israel’s blockade on the Palestinian enclave. The flotilla, consisting of more than 50 boats, set sail on Thursday from the Turkish Mediterranean district of Marmaris in a renewed attempt to break the Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007. Organisers said the mission included 426 participants, among them 96 Turkish activists and participants from 39 other countries, including Germany, the US, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Algeria, Indonesia, Morocco, France, South Africa, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Egypt, Pakistan, Tunisia, Oman and New Zealand. On April 29, Israeli forces also attacked the Global Sumud aid flotilla off the coast of the Greek island of Crete. Pacific Media Watch reports: A Global Sumud Aotearoa statement said today: “Overnight, the Israeli military has illegally boarded and intercepted over 35 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including the two vessels carrying New Zealanders Hāhona Ormsby and Julien Blondel. “Hāhona and Julien are now in israeli custody. “New Zealander Mousa Taher is aboard one of 18 vessels still sailing through the night to Gaza. “The safe and unimpeded passage of the remaining vessels is protected under international law, including the UNCLOS Treaty. “We sail with the legacy of a people who have resisted for eight decades, rooted in steadfastness, in Sumud. We will not stop until the siege is broken and until Palestine is free.” Global Sumud Flotilla Live Feed <img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128024" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lidd-Nablus-intercepted-GSF-680wide.png" alt="The Lidd (Nablus) being intercepted by the Israeli military" width="680" height="372" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lidd-Nablus-intercepted-GSF-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Lidd-Nablus-intercepted-GSF-680wide-300x164.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> The Lidd (Nablus) being intercepted by the Israeli military . . . one of more than 60 boats attacked. Image: Global Sumud Flotilla Live Tracker This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
More Than 100,000 American Kids Have Had a Parent Detained in Immigration Sweeps, Report Estimates
The post More Than 100,000 American Kids Have Had a Parent Detained in Immigration Sweeps, Report Estimates appeared first on ProPublica.
Volunteers escort a 2-year-old American boy to be reunited with his mother, who awaited deportation in February. Christopher Lee for ProPublica Far more American children have likely been separated from their parents during immigration sweeps than previously understood, according to a report by the Washington, D.C.-based think tank Brookings. The report published Monday estimates more than 100,000 U.S. citizen children have had a parent detained since President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign began last year. The analysis cites reporting from ProPublica on the detention of parents, which can often lead to family separations. During Trump’s first administration, a policy of family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border ended after widespread outrage. Now, the breakup of families is happening amid sweeps by immigration agents across the country. About 400,000 people have been detained by immigration agents since Trump returned to office, Brookings noted. But it’s nearly impossible to know how many family separations that has caused, since the administration does not track it. Families are also now being split up in ways that are more dispersed, more hidden and harder to track. Brookings created its estimate by using census information to approximate the number of children that detainees have. It estimated that roughly 200,000 children, including 145,000 American kids, have had a parent detained. The think tank notes that the actual number could be somewhat higher or lower. ProPublica used a different, more conservative, approach that relied on government data obtained through a public information lawsuit by the University of Washington. We found that in just the first seven months of Trump’s second term, at least 11,000 American children had a parent detained. We also found that Trump has been deporting about four times as many mothers of American children per day as President Joe Biden did. As we noted, our figures are almost certainly undercounts. For instance, the government data relies on detainees self-reporting whether they have children. In some cases, agents may not ask and parents may not share details about their families out of fear of what might happen to their children. “There are a lot of families that are in the situation that are not being written down,” said Tara Watson, one of the authors of the Brookings report. It’s “important both for transparency and from a child health and wellbeing perspective to know what’s happening to the kids. How many of them are leaving the U.S.? How many of them are staying in the U.S. with close family? How many of them do we really not know what their situation is?” ProPublica also followed multiple families through their sudden separations and found a wide variety of outcomes for the children. Doris Flores, a mother from Honduras, was separated from her breastfeeding infant after Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested her and her fiance at the same time. In the rush to find someone to care for the baby and Flores’ 8-year-old daughter, she called on their local pastor to take the children in. In response to the Brookings findings, the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, sent an oft-repeated statement that the agency “does not separate families,” adding that parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children or instead to have them placed with a person the parent designates. DHS said this is consistent with the practices of past administrations. However, guidelines for ICE officers encountering parents have changed. A document known as the Parental Interests Directive was given a new name under Trump — the Detained Parents Directive. Its preamble, which once instructed agents to handle immigrant parents in a way that was “humane,” has been stripped of the word. The post More Than 100,000 American Kids Have Had a Parent Detained in Immigration Sweeps, Report Estimates appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Mica Rosenberg.
ProPublica Selects 11 Journalists for Investigative Editor Training
The post ProPublica Selects 11 Journalists for Investigative Editor Training appeared first on ProPublica.
From left to right, top row: Aaron Sankin, Deblina Chakraborty, Josh McGhee, Rosalie Chan, Padma Rama. Middle row: Karen Chávez, Kynala Phillips, Yoohyun Jung, Margaret Ho, Kevin Uhrmacher. Bottom row: Thy Vo. Collage by ProPublica. Source images: Courtesy of the journalists. Eleven journalists from across the country join the ProPublica Investigative Editor Training Program, which seeks to expand the ranks of editors in newsrooms across the country whose work is aimed at accountability and impact. Established in 2023, the program has trained more than 31 journalists to date. It begins with a five-day intensive editing boot camp in New York, with courses and panel discussions led by ProPublica’s senior editors. After the boot camp, participants will gather virtually throughout the course of the year for continuing development seminars and be assigned a ProPublica senior editor as a mentor for advice on their work and careers. Alumni continue to work in the field in newsrooms like The Boston Globe, KQED, The Texas Tribune, ESPN and ProPublica. This year, more than 130 journalists applied for a spot in the program. “Each year, we are thrilled by the number of people who reach out to us for this training,” Managing Editor Ginger Thompson said. “It’s ProPublica’s way of supporting investigative reporting at a time when our mission couldn’t be more vital.” Introducing the 2026 cohort of the ProPublica Investigative Editor Training Program: Aaron Sankin is the data editor at The Marshall Project, a criminal-justice-focused nonprofit news organization. He was previously an investigative reporter with The Markup, where he won the Edward R. Murrow Award for reporting on predictive policing, the Investigative Reporters and Editors Philip Meyer Journalism Award for an investigation into racial and socioeconomic disparities in internet service pricing, and the Gerald Loeb Award for an innovative online privacy inspection tool. He also covered online extremism at The Center for Investigative Reporting and helped launch HuffPost’s San Francisco vertical. He is a graduate of Rice University and lives in New York. Deblina Chakraborty is senior science editor at CNN, where she oversees coverage of science and space, leading a team of writers and editors who explore intriguing discoveries, scientific breakthroughs and daring missions. Previously, she was a general features editor and an off-platform editor for CNN. She’s also managed editorial teams at Denver7 and HLN Digital and hosted the award-winning podcast “Stuff You Missed in History Class.” Josh McGhee is the Chicago bureau chief of MindSite News and covers the intersection of criminal justice and mental health with an emphasis on public records and data reporting. He previously reported for Injustice Watch, The Chicago Reporter, DNAinfo Chicago and WVON covering criminal justice, courts, policing, race, inequality and politics. Kynala Phillips is the editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch, a new initiative that partners with residents to cover community voices, concerns and improvements. Previously, she led the events program at Kansas City PBS, and worked as a service journalism reporter at The Kansas City Star, where she covered housing, public services and marijuana legalization. She holds a master’s degree in engagement journalism from the City University of New York and an undergraduate journalism degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Karen Chávez is executive editor of USA Today’s Asheville Citizen Times in North Carolina. During her more than 20-year career at the paper, she served as investigations editor, assistant sports editor and an outdoors and environment editor. Previously, Chávez, a New York native, also worked as a reporter in Montana, Idaho and Arizona. Chávez’s reporting exposed a district attorney’s wrongdoing and led to his removal for willful misconduct in office (which won a Society of Professional Journalists Green Eyeshade Award). Her reporting also exposed a decadeslong pattern of alleged sexual abuse of students at the Asheville School by faculty and other students (which won North Carolina Press Association awards). At the Citizen Times, Chávez led national coverage of Tropical Storm Helene, the deadliest and costliest natural disaster in North Carolina history. The team she led was honored for their dogged coverage, including a first place National Headliner Award for public service journalism. Kevin Uhrmacher is the deputy news applications editor at ProPublica, where he leads a team of developers who use code to report and build interactive stories and databases. He joined ProPublica in August 2025 after 11 years at The Washington Post as a reporter and editor on the graphics team focused on politics and public policy. At ProPublica, he led the development of the Rx Inspector database that shows patients which factories made their prescription generics. He has edited graphics for three Pulitzer Prize-winning projects. Uhrmacher graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Margaret Ho is an assistant editor in the Washington bureau of The New York Times, where she collaborates with reporters who cover the Justice Department, the rule of law and political fact-checking. She started at the Times in 2010 as a copy editor on the business desk after working as a grant writer for a charter school in Harlem, New York. Padma Rama is a senior political editor at NPR focused on national politics. She works with NPR’s network of member stations. Previously, she was a congressional reporter and senior producer at The Associated Press and worked at CNN’s D.C. bureau. Rosalie Chan is a senior editor helping to drive editorial strategy for Business Insider’s tech coverage. She joined the company as an enterprise tech and cloud reporter, reporting on key industry players like Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Broadcom, VMware and more. As a reporter, she has broken scoops on those companies and delved into a wide array of topics, like the open source licensing wars, the rise and fall of various developer startups, coding boot camps and sexual harassment in tech. Most recently, she was an editor on a Business Insider team investigation into the environmental and economic impacts of data centers that won the George Polk Award. Chan holds a bachelor of science degree in journalism and computer science and a master of science in law from Northwestern University. Thy Vo is an investigative editor for InvestigateWest, a nonprofit newsroom covering the Pacific Northwest. She’s worked as a community journalist in the West for nearly a decade, covering government, politics, courts and immigrant communities for outlets like The Colorado Sun, Law360, The Mercury News and Voice of OC. Vo grew up in Anaheim, California, and now lives in Colorado. Yoohyun Jung is The Boston Globe’s data editor, leading a team of computational journalists focused on delivering compelling data-driven journalism. She was part of the Spotlight team honored as a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2025 for its investigation on Steward Health Care, a troubled Boston-born hospital chain that ultimately collapsed. Previously, she was the deputy data editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, where she worked on some of the organization’s most ambitious data-driven storytelling projects. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Jung began her journalism career in Arizona, where she worked for two of the state’s largest newspapers in Phoenix and Tucson covering numerous beats, including criminal justice and education. The post ProPublica Selects 11 Journalists for Investigative Editor Training appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Talia Buford.
Trump turning budget into a “collection of slush funds”
Higher Gun Ownership Linked to Higher Maternal Homicide Rates
In a November 2025 study, published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, researchers found the firearm homicide rate for pregnant women was 37 percent higher than the rate for nonpregnant women, as Nada Hassanein reported for Stateline. The study ...
In a November 2025 study, published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, researchers found the firearm homicide rate for pregnant women was 37 percent higher than the rate for nonpregnant women, as Nada Hassanein reported for Stateline. The study found that suspected perpetrators were mostly male for both nonpregnant… The post Higher Gun Ownership Linked to Higher Maternal Homicide Rates appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Ecuador journalist describes country’s role in deadly US boat strikes; Palestinians in Gaza mark 78th anniversary of Nakba displacement of Palestinians – May 18, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. 1870 map of Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela Journalist Galarza reports from Ecuador on deadly US strikes on boats, Ecuador military regime’s role; Organizers of Global Sumud Flotilla say 400 people taking part in 3rd humanitarian aid mission to Gaza, expecting Israeli interception; Palestinians in Gaza mark 78th anniversary of Nakba displacement of Palestinians during creation of Israel; World Health Organization declares International Health Emergency as fears grow of Ebola spread beyond Congo; Voting rights activists rally in Montgomery, Selma Alabama, say GOP redistricting could unseat 1/3rd of Congressional Black Caucus The post Ecuador journalist describes country’s role in deadly US boat strikes; Palestinians in Gaza mark 78th anniversary of Nakba displacement of Palestinians – May 18, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Journalist Galarza reports from Ecuador on deadly US strikes on boats, Ecuador military regime’s role; Organizers of Global Sumud Flotilla say 400 people taking part in 3rd humanitarian aid mission to Gaza, expecting Israeli interception; Palestinians in Gaza mark 78th anniversary of Nakba displacement of Palestinians during creation of Israel; World Health Organization declares International Health Emergency as fears grow of Ebola spread beyond Congo; Voting rights activists rally in Montgomery, Selma Alabama, say GOP redistricting could unseat 1/3rd of Congressional Black Caucus The post Ecuador journalist describes country’s role in deadly US boat strikes; Palestinians in Gaza mark 78th anniversary of Nakba displacement of Palestinians – May 18, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
Iranian TV Presenter Fires Gun At UAE Flag
Record 83.4 Million People Internally Displaced in 2024
A record 83.4 million people were displaced within their home countries at the end of 2024, according to the Diplomatic Courier. Regional conflicts, violence, and natural disasters force internally displaced persons (IDPs) to flee their homes, like ref...
A record 83.4 million people were displaced within their home countries at the end of 2024, according to the Diplomatic Courier. Regional conflicts, violence, and natural disasters force internally displaced persons (IDPs) to flee their homes, like refugees, but they don’t cross an international border. Diana Roy wrote for the… The post Record 83.4 Million People Internally Displaced in 2024 appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Brazilian TikToks Banned in US, Resulting in Censored ICE Criticism
An American journalist discovered that Brazilian TikToks are banned in the United States after his interaction with Brazilian federal police went viral. A February 11, 2026 article in Payday Report by Mike Elk described how he was detained in Brazil fo...
An American journalist discovered that Brazilian TikToks are banned in the United States after his interaction with Brazilian federal police went viral. A February 11, 2026 article in Payday Report by Mike Elk described how he was detained in Brazil for accidentally overstaying his visa, but officers merely fined him… The post Brazilian TikToks Banned in US, Resulting in Censored ICE Criticism appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Massive AI Podcasting Network Reusing Original News Content
News outlets are “ever more vulnerable to the systematized scraping of their articles for the generation of derivative content,” Alexios Mantzarlis reported in a February 2026 article for Indicator, which focused on an AI-generated podcast network know...
News outlets are “ever more vulnerable to the systematized scraping of their articles for the generation of derivative content,” Alexios Mantzarlis reported in a February 2026 article for Indicator, which focused on an AI-generated podcast network known as The Daily News Now! (DNN). Mantzarlis noted that this network generates roughly… The post Massive AI Podcasting Network Reusing Original News Content appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
Framing Atrocity: Photojournalism and Press Freedom
First up, researcher and editor Michelle Eid joins the show to talk about literal framing when it comes to photojournalism, and how extractive dehumanizing journalism turns people’s pain and suffering into career-boosting material, perpetuating harmful...
First up, researcher and editor Michelle Eid joins the show to talk about literal framing when it comes to photojournalism, and how extractive dehumanizing journalism turns people’s pain and suffering into career-boosting material, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and bolstering the dangerous disconnect that allows atrocities to continue. Michelle highlights the importance of relationship building and archival work, but that how this work is done is critical. Next up, Mickey Huff and Eleanor Goldfield sit down to dissect some recent news that didn’t make the news, contextualize what press freedom looks like from the US to Sweden, and why AI should never be in charge of telling us what news is. The post Framing Atrocity: Photojournalism and Press Freedom appeared first on Project Censored. This content originally appeared on Project Censored and was authored by Kate Horgan.
‘A $1,700,000,000 fraud on the American taxpayer’: Trump to drop IRS suit in exchange for MAGA slush fund
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L), accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R), speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One on October 27, 2025, in flight. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343553" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/a-1700000000-fraud-on-the-american-taxpayer-trump-to-drop-irs-suit-in-exchange-for-maga-slush-fund/u-s-president-trump-departs-malaysia-en-route-to-japan" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1706" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"ILCE-1M2","caption":"IN FLIGHT - OCTOBER 27: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L), accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R), speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One on October 27, 2025, in flight. Trump is in route to Japan after attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia, and will travel on to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1761578413","copyright":"2025 Getty Images","focal_length":"36","iso":"4000","shutter_speed":"0.004","title":"U.S. President Trump Departs Malaysia En Route To Japan","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="U.S. President Trump Departs Malaysia En Route To Japan" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L), accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R), speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One on October 27, 2025, in flight. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> “This is a massive and unprecedented presidential plunder of the American people,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin.
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L), accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R), speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One on October 27, 2025, in flight. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343553" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/a-1700000000-fraud-on-the-american-taxpayer-trump-to-drop-irs-suit-in-exchange-for-maga-slush-fund/u-s-president-trump-departs-malaysia-en-route-to-japan" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1706" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"ILCE-1M2","caption":"IN FLIGHT - OCTOBER 27: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L), accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R), speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One on October 27, 2025, in flight. Trump is in route to Japan after attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia, and will travel on to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1761578413","copyright":"2025 Getty Images","focal_length":"36","iso":"4000","shutter_speed":"0.004","title":"U.S. President Trump Departs Malaysia En Route To Japan","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="U.S. President Trump Departs Malaysia En Route To Japan" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L), accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R), speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One on October 27, 2025, in flight. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2243239645-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="600" height="150" data-attachment-id="268291" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/this-is-why-deregulation-is-deadly/cd_stacked_white_600" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" data-orig-size="600,150" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Common Dreams Logo" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=600%2C150&ssl=1" alt="Common Dreams Logo" class="wp-image-268291 size-full" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=300%2C75&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=370&ssl=1 370w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=400&ssl=1 400w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /> This story originally appeared in Common Dreams on May 15, 2026. It is shared here under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license. The top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday accused US President Donald Trump of “orchestrating a $1,700,000,000 fraud on the American taxpayer to line the pockets of his MAGA political allies” amid new reporting on the terms Trump is seeking in talks to settle his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. ABC News reported late Thursday that Trump is expected to drop his lawsuit in the coming days “in exchange for the creation of a $1.7 billion fund to compensate allies who claim they were wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration.” The money would come from the Treasury Department’s Judgment Fund, which pays out court judgments and settlements against the federal government. The president is also expected to receive a public apology from the IRS for the leak of his tax returns during his first White House term. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said in a statement that the reported settlement terms represent “another installment” in Trump’s “ongoing effort to turn the federal government into a personal cash machine for his unpopular extremist movement.” “This is a massive and unprecedented presidential plunder of the American people,” said Raskin. “Worse still, this is only the beginning—a declaration that the prior payouts were just a down payment, and that he now intends to earmark billions more in taxpayer dollars for his political allies, sycophants, and private militia of unemployed insurrectionists.” “The president has no authority to conjure up billion-dollar compensation schemes or raid the Judgment Fund, which exists to settle valid lawsuits. Trump is systematically converting neutral government mechanisms into a presidential slush fund to build his army of political dependents,” Raskin continued. “Congress must act immediately to reassert the power of the purse and stop this brazen looting of taxpayer funds before this ‘pilot program’ for corruption becomes the permanent operating system of our government.” According to ABC, which cited unnamed sources who emphasized that the settlement’s terms should not be considered final until officially announced, the deal is “expected to prohibit Trump from directly receiving payments related to those three legal claims; however, entities associated with Trump are not explicitly barred from filing additional claims.” “The arrangement would be an unprecedented use of taxpayer dollars with little oversight,” ABC noted. “Under the terms of the potential settlement agreement, President Trump would have the authority to remove members of the commission running the fund without cause, and the commission would be under no obligation to disclose its procedures or decision-making process for awarding more than a billion dollars.” ABC’s story came on the heels of reports earlier this week revealing internal Justice Department discussions on settling Trump’s lawsuit, which he filed in late January. Last month, a federal judge questioned the constitutionality of Trump’s suit, noting that “he is the sitting president and his named adversaries are entities whose decisions are subject to his direction.” “Real story: Judge was about to throw out the case because Trump controls both parties,” Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) wrote late Thursday. “Before it’s dismissed, Trump tells both parties to reach a ‘settlement.’ Settlement shields Trump from any future audit and creates a secret slush fund that can dole out money to anyone with no transparency.” “Mind-boggling corruption,” Goldman added. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Jake Johnson.
Laws deny communities the ability to chart their own course.
Laws deny communities the ability to chart their own course. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Eleanor J. Bader.
Outlandish Merger of Giant Power Companies NextEra and Dominion is ‘Contrary to Public Interest’
Massive Florida-based power company NextEra Energy announced today its plan to acquire Virginia’s Dominion Energy, citing the growth of A.I. data centers as the impetus for the move. In response, Public Citizen Energy Program director Tyson Slocum iss...
Massive Florida-based power company NextEra Energy announced today its plan to acquire Virginia’s Dominion Energy, citing the growth of A.I. data centers as the impetus for the move. In response, Public Citizen Energy Program director Tyson Slocum issued the following statement: “This absurd proposal to merge two massive, well-capitalized utilities should be dead on arrival for state and federal regulators. Household customers have everything to lose and nothing to gain by allowing two behemoths, NextEra and Dominion, to merge. “The claim that the tie-up is needed to address data center demand is a false narrative; the merger will do nothing to increase generating capacity, let alone desperately-needed renewable generating capacity. These mega-utilities are merely using rising concern about data centers as an excuse to concentrate political and economic power of two giant utilities to maximize financial returns to shareholders. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state regulators should reject this outlandish, unnecessary merger as completely contrary to the public interest.“ This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Newswire Editor.
WHO declares Ebola outbreak a global health emergency
Cuba runs out of oil amidst suffocating US blockade
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="People walk on a street during a blackout in Havana on May 13, 2026. Photo by Yamil LAGE / AFP via Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343546" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/cuba-runs-out-of-oil-amidst-suffocating-us-blockade/topshot-cuba-us-crisis-energy-blackout" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"AFP via Getty Images","camera":"NIKON Z 8","caption":"TOPSHOT - People walk on a street during a blackout in Havana on May 13, 2026. Cuba blamed the United States for the "particularly tense" situation in its power grid on May 13, 2026, which has been plagued by prolonged blackouts, while Washington once again offered $100 million in aid to the island. (Photo by Yamil LAGE / AFP via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1778723249","copyright":"AFP or licensors","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"TOPSHOT-CUBA-US-CRISIS-ENERGY-BLACKOUT","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="TOPSHOT-CUBA-US-CRISIS-ENERGY-BLACKOUT" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" People walk on a street during a blackout in Havana on May 13, 2026. Photo by Yamil LAGE / AFP via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> The UN has condemned the blockade as a violation of international law and an “extreme form” of economic coercion.
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="People walk on a street during a blackout in Havana on May 13, 2026. Photo by Yamil LAGE / AFP via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343546" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/cuba-runs-out-of-oil-amidst-suffocating-us-blockade/topshot-cuba-us-crisis-energy-blackout" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"AFP via Getty Images","camera":"NIKON Z 8","caption":"TOPSHOT - People walk on a street during a blackout in Havana on May 13, 2026. Cuba blamed the United States for the \"particularly tense\" situation in its power grid on May 13, 2026, which has been plagued by prolonged blackouts, while Washington once again offered $100 million in aid to the island. (Photo by Yamil LAGE / AFP via Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1778723249","copyright":"AFP or licensors","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"TOPSHOT-CUBA-US-CRISIS-ENERGY-BLACKOUT","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="TOPSHOT-CUBA-US-CRISIS-ENERGY-BLACKOUT" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" People walk on a street during a blackout in Havana on May 13, 2026. Photo by Yamil LAGE / AFP via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2275526486-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="780" height="218" data-attachment-id="277549" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/half-a-million-south-korean-workers-walk-off-jobs-in-general-strike/truthout-logo" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/truthout-logo.jpeg?fit=874%2C244&ssl=1" data-orig-size="874,244" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1634742558","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="truthout-logo" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/truthout-logo.jpeg?fit=780%2C218&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/truthout-logo.jpeg?resize=780%2C218&ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-277549 size-full" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/truthout-logo.jpeg?w=874&ssl=1 874w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/truthout-logo.jpeg?resize=300%2C84&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/truthout-logo.jpeg?resize=768%2C214&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/truthout-logo.jpeg?resize=400%2C112&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/truthout-logo.jpeg?resize=706%2C197&ssl=1 706w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/truthout-logo.jpeg?w=370&ssl=1 370w" sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /> This article was originally published by Truthout on May 15, 2026. It is shared here under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. Cuba’s government has announced that it has run out of oil. On Wednesday night, Cuba’s energy minister Vicente de La O Levy said that the country has completely run out of diesel and fuel oil, and that the national grid is in a “critical” state. He further described how in the capital city of Havana, “the blackouts today exceed 20 or 22 hours.” “The situation is very tense, it’s becoming hotter,” he added, referring to the start of summer that brings a need for more energy. At the start of January, Trump halted Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba, following the U.S.’s kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and de facto takeover of Venezuela’s oil industry. Later that month, Trump imposed a total oil blockade on Cuba, imposing tariffs on countries that supply oil to the country, pressuring Mexico to stop its oil shipments to Cuba, and seizing oil shipments traveling to the island country. At the end of March, a Russian tanker arrived in Cuba carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil, breaking the U.S. blockade and temporarily easing the crisis. The crude was refined in April and provided relief for a few weeks. But this fuel has run out, Cuban officials explained. This was the sole shipment of fuel allowed to enter Cuba in more than four months. .Cuba began suffering from power cuts in 2019, after the first Trump administration imposed “maximum-pressure sanctions.” But since January, these have become more frequent and severe, at times lasting several days. Trump’s blockade has decimated Cuba’s universal health care system, causing deaths and forcing hospitals to close. Schools and government offices have also been forced to close. In February, the UN Human Rights Office warned that “Intensive care units and emergency rooms are compromised, as are the production, delivery, and storage of vaccines, blood products, and other temperature-sensitive medications.” “In Cuba, more than 80 percent of water pumping equipment depends on electricity, and power cuts are undermining access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. The fuel shortage has disrupted the rationing system and the regulated basic food basket, and has affected social protection networks — school feeding, maternity homes, and nursing homes — with the most vulnerable groups being disproportionately impacted,” the statement went on. On April 30, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) wrote on X, “Cuba’s infant mortality has soared by 148% from the tightening of U.S. sanctions. This is every parent’s nightmare. I can’t fathom the heartbreak of the thousands of Cubans who have lost their babies because of a cruel and broken U.S. policy.” “It’s time to end sanctions on Cuba,” she added. UN human rights experts also condemned Trump’s blockade on Cuba as a “violation of international law” and an “extreme form of unilateral economic coercion.” Trump has frequently threatened that Cuba will be “next” after Iran. In March, he said he expects to “have the honor of taking Cuba,” and that “Whether I free it, take it – think I could do anything I want with it.” On May 1, Trump again said the U.S. will be “taking over” Cuba “almost immediately.” Republicans in the Senate have suggested that Trump focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Many have expressed that they hope Cuba’s government will fall from the U.S.’s economic sanctions, rather than direct military intervention. On Wednesday, The Guardian reported that more than 30 members of Congress sent a letter to Trump urging him against military intervention in Cuba, and to stop using the U.S. Navy base at Guantánamo Bay for detention of migrants. They warned that increased aggression on Cuba would lead to more migration from the island. The Trump administration has hoped its pressure would force “regime change” on Cuba, but has also been concerned about a rise in migration from the country due to its aggressive policies. On Thursday, Trump’s CIA director John Ratcliffe visited Havana, offering an aid package to help ease the effects of the blockade. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said that for conditions to improve, the U.S. should lift its blockade. Earlier this month, Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel responded to Trump’s comments, saying, “When they say we are an extraordinary and unusual threat to the United States — and we are sure that is not how the American people feel, but rather how the U.S. government feels, or the pretext that the U.S. government uses to attack us — one has to ask: What is the threat? What is extraordinary about that threat? What is unusual about that threat, when Cuba is a country of peace?” This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Shireen Al-Adeimi.
WHO supports response as Ebola confirmed in DR Congo’s Goma LGBTIQ+ face mounting violence, discrimination: UN rights chief South Sudan: Families return to Akobo, aid resumes after conflict
WHO supports response as Ebola confirmed in DR Congo’s Goma LGBTIQ+ face mounting violence, discrimination: UN rights chief South Sudan: Families return to Akobo, aid resumes after conflict This content originally appeared on UN News - Global perspective Human stories and was authored by Daniel Johnson.
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Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 18, 2026
Türkiye condemns new Israeli ‘piracy’ against Gaza aid flotilla in international waters
Asia Pacific Report Türkiye has condemned Israel’s intervention against the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, describing it as “a new act of piracy”, reports TRT World News. In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Israeli forces had yesterday intervened against the flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Three New Zealanders
Asia Pacific Report Türkiye has condemned Israel’s intervention against the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, describing it as “a new act of piracy”, reports TRT World News. In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Israeli forces had yesterday intervened against the flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Three New Zealanders were reported to be facing illegal interception — including Hāhona Ormsby, Mousa Taher, and Julien Blondel — according to Sumud Flotilla statement. READ MORE: Israeli forces storm Gaza-bound aid flotilla off Cyprus Global Sumud Flotilla Live tracker Other Gaza flotilla reports The Turkish ministry said: “We condemn the intervention carried out by Israeli forces in international waters against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was formed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and which constitutes a new act of piracy.” The ministry noted that citizens from nearly 40 countries were on board the flotilla of more than 50 vessels and said Israel’s “attacks and intimidation policies” would not prevent international solidarity with the Palestinian people. It called on Israel to immediately halt the intervention and unconditionally release the detained participants. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-128000 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sumud-Flotilla-LiveFeed-680wide.png" alt="A live tracker image showing the moment Israeli forces started boarding flotilla boats" width="680" height="383" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sumud-Flotilla-LiveFeed-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sumud-Flotilla-LiveFeed-680wide-300x169.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> A live tracker image showing the moment Israeli forces started boarding flotilla boats. Soldiers can be seen boarding a boat in the central image. Image: Global Sumud Flotilla screenshot APR The ministry also said Turkish authorities were taking necessary steps to ensure the safe return of Turkish citizens aboard the flotilla and were closely monitoring developments in coordination with other countries. Israeli military attack The Israeli army attacked the Gaza-bound Global Sumud humanitarian flotilla in international waters on Monday. Live broadcasts from the flotilla showed Israeli naval forces intercepting the vessels one by one. Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that activists detained aboard the flotilla were being transferred to a navy ship described as a “floating prison” before being taken to the port of Ashdod. The Global Sumud aid flotilla demanded “safe passage” for its humanitarian mission to Gaza, accusing Israel of carrying out “illegal acts of piracy.” In a statement, the flotilla said Israeli forces attacked the first of its boats “in broad daylight” in international waters while military vessels intercepted the fleet. “We demand safe passage for our legal, non-violent humanitarian mission,” the statement said. A Sumud Flotilla Aotearoa statement in Auckland last night said three of the boats being illegally intercepted carried New Zealanders on board. They were reported to be: Hāhona Ormsby aboard the Diabolo Mousa Taher aboard the Kasri Sadabat Julien Blondel aboard the Abodes “This is an illegal interception of a peaceful humanitarian flotilla sailing under international law.” said Phoebe McLean of the Aotearoa Delegation. “We must speak out. We must protect our people. We must protect Palestine.” ‘Propaganda campaign’ In a background statement, the Aotearoa Delegation statement said this latest military interception followed a “coordinated week-long propaganda campaign” broadcast by state-controlled Israeli regime media outlets, and amplified by their own “self-proclaimed propaganda yacht filled with influencers spreading the israeli regime’s lies”. “This established playbook seeks to manufacture consent to carry out war crimes and crimes against humanity against an unarmed, non-violent civil society mission composed of doctors, journalists, and humanitarians.” The Global Sumud Flotilla legal team has formally stated that the participants are entirely unarmed, and any violence executed on these vessels remains the sole legal responsibility of the israeli regime. Active criminal investigations are moving forward across 20 countries, and individual liability will also be pursued in international courts for all forces “enforcing this genocidal siege”, the statement said. Also, the naval interception of the flotilla “occurs in tandem with an aggressive containment strategy on land”. The Global Sumud Land Convoy — comprising more than 30 vehicles, including 7 specialised ambulances and 20 mobile homes — has been halted near Sirte, Libya. Eastern Libyan authorities, reportedly acting under direct political pressure from Egypt, have positioned military forces to block the overland humanitarian route toward Rafah. <img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-128008" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-680wide.png" alt="A screenshot of Al Jazeera coverage yesterday as Israeli military storm the flotilla boats" width="680" height="409" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Israeli-navy-AJ-680wide-300x180.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> A screenshot of Al Jazeera coverage yesterday as Israeli military storm the flotilla boats. Image: AJ screenshot APR This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
CPJ urges European Commission to not invite the Taliban to Brussels
The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday called on the European Commission to scrap reported plans to invite the Taliban to Brussels. According to media reports, the technical talks would focus on the return of rejected asylum seekers and Afghans convicted of crimes. The European Union does not officially recognize the Taliban, and formal engagement...
The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday called on the European Commission to scrap reported plans to invite the Taliban to Brussels. According to media reports, the technical talks would focus on the return of rejected asylum seekers and Afghans convicted of crimes. The European Union does not officially recognize the Taliban, and formal engagement has been conditioned in part on compliance with international standards on human rights. “It is outrageous that, as the Taliban attacks the media, the European Commission extends an invitation to Brussels,” said Tom Gibson, CPJ’s deputy advocacy director, EU. “By doing so, it legitimizes a regime responsible for severe repression and censorship and strengthens their public relations as an international player. The European Commission must scrap such plans.” Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, it has forced the shutdown of independent media, imprisoned journalists, enforced strict surveillance, and censored the media environment. Journalists in the country work in fear, while much of the national media coverage has increasingly become propaganda for the Taliban. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
“Staggering Corruption”: Rep. Raskin on Trump’s $10B IRS Lawsuit, Stock Trades & Family Business
Donald Trump on Monday dropped his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over a leak of his personal and business tax records, a bizarre case of a sitting president suing his own government and essentially acting as both pla...
Donald Trump on Monday dropped his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over a leak of his personal and business tax records, a bizarre case of a sitting president suing his own government and essentially acting as both plaintiff and defendant. This comes amid reports that Trump’s Department of Justice was considering settling the case in exchange for the creation of a $1.7 billion fund to compensate victims of so-called weaponization of the DOJ under the Biden and Obama administrations. Trump allies who participated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol could file claims and be compensated. “They want a $1.7 billion slush fund, which comes to a million dollars a head in terms of Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, the insurrectionists, with $100 million left over of taxpayer money to spread around in different ways,” says Congressmember Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, who spoke with Democracy Now! shortly before news broke of Trump dropping the IRS lawsuit. Raskin last week introduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act, which is geared toward curbing the president’s profiteering from public office. “Corruption is the whole purpose of the Trump administration,” says Raskin. “It’s not like some eccentric peripheral thing; it’s a vast money-making operation.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Trump’s Christian Nationalist Agenda & Taxpayer-Funded D.C. Prayer Rally: Bishop Barber & Sarah Posner
Thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Sunday for “Rededicate 250,” a taxpayer-funded Christian evangelical service backed by President Trump. The eight-hour lineup featured songs, prayers and rem...
Thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Sunday for “Rededicate 250,” a taxpayer-funded Christian evangelical service backed by President Trump. The eight-hour lineup featured songs, prayers and remarks by top government officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The event included religious leaders like evangelist Franklin Graham and Cardinal Timothy Dolan. “Nothing was Christian about what we saw yesterday,” says Bishop William J. Barber II. “This is idolatry. This is heresy. This is a form of religious nationalism. This is Trump worship. This is trying to make someone a messiah figure.” Barber, the president of Repairers of the Breach and founding director of the Yale Center for Public Theology and Public Policy, took part in a counter-event on Sunday called Redirect 250. “This is really a battle for the soul of America,” says Sarah Posner, author of Unholy: How White Christian Nationalists Powered the Trump Presidency, and the Devastating Legacy They Left Behind. The Supreme Court has eroded the separation of church and state in recent decades, particularly under President Trump, adds Posner. She also notes that “evangelicals, for decades, have been marinating in Christian Zionist theology and ideology, which holds that, in their view, America has a biblical duty to defend Israel, and in particular defend Israel from aggression, both nuclear and otherwise, from Iran.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency on Saturday due to the rapid spread of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Ebola causes severe hemorrhagic fever and is often fatal. There’s no appr...
The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency on Saturday due to the rapid spread of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Ebola causes severe hemorrhagic fever and is often fatal. There’s no approved vaccine for the strain of Ebola responsible for the current outbreak, known as the Bundibugyo variant. The WHO said in a statement that the outbreak is potentially much larger “than what is currently being detected and reported.” Public health professor and emergency room physician Dr. Craig Spencer, who is an Ebola survivor, says this Ebola outbreak could be the fourth largest in history. “This is going to be a really difficult outbreak to manage and respond to,” says Spencer. The ability of healthcare workers to address the outbreak in eastern Congo, “given the violence and conflict, is anything but ideal.” Spencer adds that cuts to USAID and the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization have increased the likelihood for viruses to spread nationally and internationally, citing outbreaks of measles in the U.S. and Ebola and hantavirus abroad. “This is not all just a coincidence,” says Spencer. “This is a consequence of us cutting back our support.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Trump Escalates Threats Against Iran as Ceasefire Negotiations Remain Deadlocked, Israel Kills at Least Six People in Southern Lebanon, Including Three Paramedics, Israel Assassinates Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the Head of Hamas’s Military Wing, Israeli Cabinet Approves Plans to Build Military Compound at Former UNRWA Site, Israeli Forces Begin Intercepting Ships with the Global Sumud Flotilla, World Health Organization Declares Ebola Outbreak a Global Health Emergency, GOP Senator Cassidy Loses Primary After Trump Backs His Opponent, New Financial Disclosures Show Trump Made Between $220M and $750M in Securities Trades in 2026, U.S. Government Officials Participate in Taxpayer-Funded Christian Gathering on National Mall, U.S. Supreme Court Ends Redistricting Bid by Virginia Democrats, Thousands Rally in Alabama to Protest Lost Voting Rights, Long Island Rail Road Workers Strike After Wages Fail to Keep Pace with Inflation
Trump Escalates Threats Against Iran as Ceasefire Negotiations Remain Deadlocked Israel Kills at Least Six People in Southern Lebanon, Including Three Paramedics Israel Assassinates Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the Head of Hamas's Military Wing Israeli Cabinet Approves Plans to Build Military Compound at Former UNRWA Site Israeli Forces Begin Intercepting Ships with the Global Sumud Flotilla World Health Organization Declares Ebola Outbreak a Global Health Emergency GOP Senator Cassidy Loses Primary After Trump Backs His Opponent New Financial Disclosures Show Trump Made Between $220M and $750M in Securities Trades in 2026 U.S. Government Officials Participate in Taxpayer-Funded Christian Gathering on National Mall U.S. Supreme Court Ends Redistricting Bid by Virginia Democrats Thousands Rally in Alabama to Protest Lost Voting Rights Long Island Rail Road Workers Strike After Wages Fail to Keep Pace with Inflation This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Democracy Now! Monday, May 18, 2026 This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.
[Full Uncut Conversation] Unions Can Save US Democracy Experts Say
Trita Parsi: Is Trump poised to restart the Iran war?
Quincy institute for responsible statecraft
Tehran believes Trump will attack in the next 48 hours — and is ready to counter-escalate, writes US-Iran affairs analyst Trita Parsi. ANALYSIS: By Trita Parsi The Middle East is once again teetering on the brink as Trump appears poised to reignite war with Iran. Press reports indicate he will convene military advisers on Tuesday,
Tehran believes Trump will attack in the next 48 hours — and is ready to counter-escalate, writes US-Iran affairs analyst Trita Parsi. ANALYSIS: By Trita Parsi The Middle East is once again teetering on the brink as Trump appears poised to reignite war with Iran. Press reports indicate he will convene military advisers on Tuesday, though my understanding is that both the meeting and the decision are likely to come sooner. Over the past several hours, Trump has flooded Truth Social with a barrage of incendiary threats. While some of this may be theatrical brinkmanship designed to force Tehran into submission, sources in the Iranian capital tell me they expect the United States to resume hostilities within the next 48 hours. READ MORE: Iran says talks ongoing through Pakistan with a focus on ending war Israeli forces storm Gaza-bound aid flotilla off Cyprus Other Gaza and Iran “ceasefire” reports We should first recognise that restarting the war amounts to an admission that Trump’s previous escalatory gambit– the blockade of the blockade — has failed. That, in turn, was itself an admission that the war had failed. Which was an admission that the threats of war in January had failed. As I have argued before on my Substack, this relentless search for an escalatory silver bullet capable of bringing Iran to its knees is not unique to Trump; it has become a defining pathology of American Iran policy for decades. Although negotiators have made meaningful progress on several fronts, talks have thus far failed to produce an agreement, largely because of irreconcilable differences over Tehran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile. And as Washington has come to realise that the blockade is backfiring, a new and dangerous dynamic has emerged: both sides now believe another round of fighting will strengthen their hand in the negotiations that follow. As I argued in numerous interviews in January, Trump dramatically underestimated Iran’s strength, while hardliners in Tehran believed war would strengthen Iran’s leverage by exposing the illusion of Iranian weakness. Vindicated assessment In their view, the outcome of the conflict vindicated that assessment, leaving them increasingly confident — even emboldened — about what a second round of war could yield. I am told the new Supreme Leader belongs to this camp. Moreover, just as Tehran believes Trump intends to prosecute the next war with far greater ferocity, Iranian planners are preparing a far more expansive and punishing retaliatory campaign, complete with new strategic objectives and targets. First, Iranian officials increasingly describe the next war as an opportunity to inflict maximum strategic damage on the United Arab Emirates, citing Abu Dhabi’s active role in the previous conflict, its deepening and increasingly overt partnership with Israel, and its role in urging Trump to resume hostilities. Tehran is likely to target American data centers in the UAE, a move that serves multiple purposes. Iranian officials argue that these American technology firms have already become participants in the conflict through their support for the Pentagon. At the same time, Tehran sees an opportunity to cripple the UAE’s ambitions to become a global artificial intelligence hub — and, in doing so, potentially undermine Washington’s AI competition with China. This points to a second defining feature of Iran’s strategy in a future war. Tehran believes Trump and his family hold financial stakes in many of these same technology ventures. Targeting Trump’s personal business interests is a lever Iran conspicuously avoided pulling during the first conflict but now appears increasingly willing to use. Logic straightforward The logic is straightforward: Trump may tolerate damage to American strategic interests, but he is acutely sensitive to threats against his own financial empire. Raise the personal cost to Trump himself, the reasoning goes, and he may prove more willing to adopt a realistic negotiating position. Third, Tehran is likely to show far less restraint if evidence emerges that other Gulf Cooperation Council states permit the United States or Israel to use their territory or airspace in a renewed conflict. The result would be broader and far more perilous horizontal escalation, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the global economy should critical energy infrastructure come under attack. Fourth, the Red Sea is now in play. That would dramatically widen the geographic scope of the conflict while placing even greater upward pressure on already volatile oil prices. Finally, Tehran is increasingly examining the possibility of severing the major submarine fiber-optic cable networks running beneath the Persian Gulf — arteries through which most GCC internet traffic flows, including billions of dollars in financial transactions. Iranian officials increasingly view this as a potential second Strait of Hormuz: a powerful new point of leverage capable of disrupting the global economy at enormous scale. Renewed war is not inevitable. But when both sides convince themselves that another round of fighting will strengthen their negotiating position, the gravitational pull toward conflict becomes dangerously strong — however irrational the logic may ultimately be. Trita Parsi is an Iranian-Swedish political analyst and foreign policy scholar specialising in Middle East geopolitics and US-Iran relations. He is the co-founder and executive vice-president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and founder of the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). Republished with permission. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Investigative reporter Tom Wright faces criminal defamation charge in Thailand
Mae Sot, May 18, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Thai politician Vorapak Tanyawong to drop his criminal defamation suit against Whale Hunting newsletter’s investigative reporter Tom Wright, and urges Thailand to reform its criminal statutes so that they cannot be abused to silence the press. Wright told CPJ that he faces criminal charges...
Mae Sot, May 18, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Thai politician Vorapak Tanyawong to drop his criminal defamation suit against Whale Hunting newsletter’s investigative reporter Tom Wright, and urges Thailand to reform its criminal statutes so that they cannot be abused to silence the press. Wright told CPJ that he faces criminal charges and $1.5 million in damages for Whale Hunting’s reporting alleging Vorapak is involved in a criminal network that launders funds from Cambodian online scam centers through Thai financial institutions. Vorapak resigned as deputy finance minister in October, days after Whale Hunting published its document-backed investigation. “Thai politician Vorapak Tanyawong must immediately drop his criminal defamation suit against Whale Hunting reporter Tom Wright, which is a textbook abuse of Thailand’s legal system to silence public-interest reporting,” said Shawn Crispin, CPJ’s senior Southeast Asia representative. “Thailand must urgently reform its criminal defamation statutes so that powerful figures can no longer weaponize them against the press.” Wright, the corruption-focused newsletter’s Singapore-based co-founder, told CPJ that Whale Hunting “will not be deterred” and is “prepared to fight this in court to protect the truth.” Maximum penalties under Thailand’s punitive criminal defamation law carry a maximum two-year prison sentence. Journalists in Thailand are frequently targeted with Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), which are abusive lawsuits filed to silence critical reporting using lengthy, costly legal proceedings, rather than seeking to address actual wrongs. On May 22, hearings are due to begin in another criminal defamation case, where Kowit Phothisan, an editor with the local The Isaan Record, is facing charges for sharing on social media allegations of bribery, reported by his outlet, involving environment minister Suchart Chomklin. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
50 rights groups blast Meta for brazen policy reversal of Instagram end-to-end encrypted messaging
Fight for the Future, Access Now, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and other leading human rights organizations are demanding Meta immediately course correct and make good on promises to protect Instagr...
Fight for the Future, Access Now, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and other leading human rights organizations are demanding Meta immediately course correct and make good on promises to protect Instagram DMs with end-to-end encryption by default. Led by Fight for the Future, 50 human rights groups are expressing outrage over Meta’s decision to discontinue “opt-in” end-to-end encryption for Instagram messages, as well as its apparent reversal of plans to protect Instagram messages with end-to-end encryption by default. The groups sent <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.QxU2xauAJ9nFZczvGsewfsVqLH3mMCAC8Hq-2BD5RKRHE5cAL7MVuFmg8ZJLluxCv-2BA2tt4Y5zRXLMhByToFb8zWUp8WRxT0r5bXg-2FXKQVlxUUICOnX5tLSfVVM6uLvpQQG-Us_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2B15cpW0Q3-2B2OjlGBmEGDqVtpIec0xRqBb5EkWv5lkuxUih-2BzoOSDC196JpLVVFQuvSkyEB3FeWNhOGaNV37az6tEHo-2FIF5qTLniiuOXvIAkREIH2ySq39Zw9bgvNBmrHJxYChgFWLSazPTXSiwW7LnkWuhZTGhg-2BwfHb-2FgyuKjfdaFRLsdpgxyvvBNZPOsg9xbNbSqwj1BA-2BDMu0w5UFzANqs0VhTOD2YOqc1DFbs1MxeoGM8GcM-2BwcJCSS9xd2J2IB9oXMiAfg-2FWp1ZttTbBnHyBg8bQxSfcJca9bRE85yd4JoT0SycLQgChuA-2BDgr-2F3" rel="noopener noreferrer" >a letter to Meta calling on the company to immediately course correct and follow through on promises to ensure users’ direct messages (DMs) are safe from third-party access. For the communities represented by the organizational endorsers of the letter, including activists, LGBTQ+ people, abortion seekers, journalists and other targeted groups around the world, privacy online is not “optional.” It’s a matter of life and death. Meta’s removal of “opt-in end-to-end encryption” for direct messages on Instagram—a feature only available to users in certain regions—<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.QxU2xauAJ9nFZczvGsewfskS-2B6IbzUuvoAoUHvDkf-2FKEaGV5K3ZPtAJA9yGz-2Fg4OJxfWtizb7hO4n3rbE0n1QjDL90xD1zjOttBib3QR5Az3bdAKiwh-2BjjMfQqyQRPhKFU0S2zdVcxdYt4Xme8OBjg-3D-3DUpaH_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2B15cpW0Q3-2B2OjlGBmEGDqVtpIec0xRqBb5EkWv5lkuxUih-2BzoOSDC196JpLVVFQuvSkyEB3FeWNhOGaNV37az6tEHo-2FIF5qTLniiuOXvIAkREIH2ySq39Zw9bgvNBmrHJxYChgFWLSazPTXSiwW7Lnmu-2BvSAnYdXYJz08CW5Fbv1VByLPgiJHt8E2aszPJpZIxBlSOlYLn9pqTHQ9RTfliNRPV0gKKBwa1LglDR3PjUOmSvtT-2BjmyZ-2BzrgVYOP4D3z1mau4n1a-2FdO7KPw1pzT1QNQiYsG-2F5RtmiHA4dItl2riPEswEZsDifxi2sXdygLV" rel="noopener noreferrer" >took effect on May 8, 2026. Meta has claimed the move was driven by “lack of interest from users.” The decision and rationale represent a complete reversal of Meta’s <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.QxU2xauAJ9nFZczvGsewfr2w2esg0mP05DNHAtO-2BU4akxSToSo3x1yjbGpsoDGgpeo2ewsWQE0He3TMehUNVLw-3D-3DLfrd_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2B15cpW0Q3-2B2OjlGBmEGDqVtpIec0xRqBb5EkWv5lkuxUih-2BzoOSDC196JpLVVFQuvSkyEB3FeWNhOGaNV37az6tEHo-2FIF5qTLniiuOXvIAkREIH2ySq39Zw9bgvNBmrHJxYChgFWLSazPTXSiwW7LnmzEQ4WC5v7TakbPZMM8o2MvXpV-2FY1yZY9PxqOCpIbUSZ5KfD0ReP5IMQu1oqeRCiKLt6f5B7YuKBRJC1lV-2BYDLx5gTmcR9zyh-2BHl8RQsA0-2Bu9Pr2W2Gx2uAwuqNTIQglgKTV7sCvk9Ef-2F-2BV74HQdvGPBrxXqMrWHdkg4mtd4j-2FV" rel="noopener noreferrer" >well-established commitments to end-to-end encrypted communications, as well as its promises to make end-to-end encryption <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.QxU2xauAJ9nFZczvGsewfsVqLH3mMCAC8Hq-2BD5RKRHEERDNAsEHxo4T7x-2BwXKxJXvjVoqCYpLqrNStBAWYPEdohUjQDhDJ4F5arpKkK8hSg491aKKeFgdloP41kd35JD4Bh-2FsXHLWYsJGe8QFEBdJw-3D-3D6usC_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2B15cpW0Q3-2B2OjlGBmEGDqVtpIec0xRqBb5EkWv5lkuxUih-2BzoOSDC196JpLVVFQuvSkyEB3FeWNhOGaNV37az6tEHo-2FIF5qTLniiuOXvIAkREIH2ySq39Zw9bgvNBmrHJxYChgFWLSazPTXSiwW7Lnr2ZEr6zRuei8NG7GbiWpxXeEsNt95pEThAZD-2FjzafEIury1Ovijs10fAgO51JjLD-2BUjmxIDozDWksr1MlnQZIN3ac2pJjzY-2FUpU-2F8QoinmCWt8BCyqaRl7bDl6Z4hd1nZyw8axNsKfE9wR8qQFUaERFaNIEZsz5-2FJsQ3GPMFLWN" rel="noopener noreferrer" >the default setting for Instagram messages. ”Meta has repeatedly articulated the importance of end-to-end encryption, sometimes mirroring the exact language our organizations have used for years to explain why online messages must be protected and private. Does Meta expect us to simply forget this history? Does the company expect us to accept the absurd justification that ‘users aren’t interested in E2EE’ when Meta knows very well we shouldn’t be forced to opt-in to life-saving privacy features?” said Leila Nashashibi, Campaigner at Fight for the Future. “Meta has defended E2EE in the past, even when it wasn’t politically convenient. Clearly the company’s political calculus has shifted. Is Meta axing its E2EE plans in order to curry favor with Trump, who wants unfettered access to our messages so his administration can spy on us and target us? Or does the company believe that the profit potential of violating our privacy and harvesting our most sensitive information—our private messages—is simply too great to pass up? We deserve to know the truth behind this total betrayal of users’ safety and privacy. We’re calling on organizations and users all over the world to reject this shameful move. If Meta wants to keep its Instagram users, it must make DMs safe NOW.” ”Secure E2EE messaging is a BASIC digital need and right. Several years ago, we joined in asking Meta to encrypt DMs. As Meta has acknowledged, privacy online is actually critical to people’s safety online AND offline. Now, Meta says they’re rolling this safety measure back after offering E2EE as a difficult to find optional setting? That’s so disingenuous and disappointing,” said Maya Morales of WA People’s Privacy. “If Meta wants people to use its platforms, it has to ensure that using them doesn’t actively endanger us. Without encryption, our personal conversations have been fed straight to government agencies or officials we might critique, to DHS/ICE, to data brokers, into AI models, you name it. This is not a trivial issue. Unsecured DMs can—and have—resulted in people’s entire lives being destroyed. E2EE should be the default setting for all apps that offer messaging, and AI should never be used in ANY messaging service without non-coerced, opt-in consent. If Meta’s not going to keep users safe, is it prepared for a mass-exodus?” Fight for the Future and a coalition of civil society organizations strongly applauded Meta’s implementation of <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.QxU2xauAJ9nFZczvGsewfqyOoz8XoLdmAjiVvGu0qREjJQTr271fnAxeYn-2FSQs5TLSikE9s-2B4ydBmF1l7o1-2BGvA4-2F-2F-2FwIiiXOmhsr-2F9DaMSImbvJv8SfnEKvRQEn717urYdk_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2B15cpW0Q3-2B2OjlGBmEGDqVtpIec0xRqBb5EkWv5lkuxUih-2BzoOSDC196JpLVVFQuvSkyEB3FeWNhOGaNV37az6tEHo-2FIF5qTLniiuOXvIAkREIH2ySq39Zw9bgvNBmrHJxYChgFWLSazPTXSiwW7LniTOoTAejKwH9bfSrR1ISDXl0brwxXLDc9meUnB0IlpbbqDPeiZhDpZ6zGGXbuh70S6T7ffh5NSswJER3Mv1n84zFZDhdaFXIdXapf8h-2BUoLbvCiSwPXBk-2F9TqO-2FvjBaMxRaX52d66aBYce0YNynOPSrWF-2FeWTuhjMizNywvIAQu" rel="noopener noreferrer" >default end-to-end encryption on Facebook Messenger in December 2023. The move came after public outcry and pressure in response to Meta handing over unencrypted Messenger direct messages between a Nebraska teenager and her mother to law enforcement—messages that led to the teen’s <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.QxU2xauAJ9nFZczvGsewfuEov8Wr5GxaA8PL74uyqgMhpCo8b5m3dzMq8hBaj7IClVNnNFfcr1-2BM9Hc1VvS2-2BhkZryq1iBnya738f4pIyjIeKwNDMc-2FOPyNC6L6ADjVRg9tJ_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2B15cpW0Q3-2B2OjlGBmEGDqVtpIec0xRqBb5EkWv5lkuxUih-2BzoOSDC196JpLVVFQuvSkyEB3FeWNhOGaNV37az6tEHo-2FIF5qTLniiuOXvIAkREIH2ySq39Zw9bgvNBmrHJxYChgFWLSazPTXSiwW7Lnn1P9COQMR97HBMM43ZDytwjTbQaIINmZxmsw2PyYi09aoAfNHEvrRbZrKiTlTKhb7oSCZT3rXKy0y3rNA8PQPbj-2B-2BSBU9IH-2FOtgfFfZm2rBJNG0Y7pK07pqtrYTExB1SsBPNq3KJyz07dWH6iaMiEHrw66anPp5q3iDZM8Fm5ds" rel="noopener noreferrer" >prosecution for choosing to have an abortion. In the months preceding the December 2023 announcement, Rob Sherman, VP and Deputy Chief Privacy Officer for Policy at Meta, <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.QxU2xauAJ9nFZczvGsewfsVqLH3mMCAC8Hq-2BD5RKRHEERDNAsEHxo4T7x-2BwXKxJXvjVoqCYpLqrNStBAWYPEdohUjQDhDJ4F5arpKkK8hSg491aKKeFgdloP41kd35JD4Bh-2FsXHLWYsJGe8QFEBdJw-3D-3D8qlH_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2B15cpW0Q3-2B2OjlGBmEGDqVtpIec0xRqBb5EkWv5lkuxUih-2BzoOSDC196JpLVVFQuvSkyEB3FeWNhOGaNV37az6tEHo-2FIF5qTLniiuOXvIAkREIH2ySq39Zw9bgvNBmrHJxYChgFWLSazPTXSiwW7LnoL9poX8YnHry3UJM96qLNLUl8wqO5iwqI4QxSgbryaJDFwnViOX7JR6Lf4-2B9hJ6xKhHPPaKTwrFm241Eq6PCtlBms-2F95sGXModDPl20oe8foUYkSCqIY2WCjWFoZCCMJKxhfiA32tldJIYClC-2BRkRn528gqiWvay-2F-2B5wfBPjIMn" rel="noopener noreferrer" >sent a letter to Fight for the Future stating: “We remain committed to rolling out default end-to-end encryption for private conversations on Messenger in 2023, and shortly afterwards for Instagram.” In the the letter, Mr. Sherman notes: People expect technology companies to provide the best security to protect their personal information, and we believe end-to-end [encryption] is an important component of building trust with our users because it: Promotes a fundamental right to privacy, which allows loved ones to communicate without fear. Helps prevent both serious and common crimes like hacking and identity theft. Enables journalists, civil society, religious groups, scholars, and artists to exercise their rights to free and private speech without surveillance or retaliation. Meta’s backtracking on its end-to-end encryption commitments comes on the heals of yet another disappointing decision: On May 5, Meta <a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.QxU2xauAJ9nFZczvGsewfoCO6l-2BAQKnRtY-2B-2FYNgaY4yBTymj92ZeDwRs5qRJBGr-2Fwqt0cwVlxn0q3o6q-2Bm6EkFl-2BfQspVz44CP83ozA-2B6-2F68S6uWuRFGmFHkq5MX4gzQoT1TqLk-2BqpLwbcJ7-2FhwusRujJqKeXO1Giofi-2BLucwPBh-2BpbEji50UAL2jC-2FL2gkktnocLR3XbelW3mRCmFlYo-2BblvrmWNn0yiGeE2X4ofbS83lHWnRq-2F2D-2B4VSxhv1HXJTqOS8WydddsP7JXe8o-2BHkP97Bl-2BO-2FdfdCLRF0NcuMYyNIj7tKTo9-2FCDs9cXIXL9WnjervmRdDqc9YdWh8hKGjmayGnpO6wCi9raI5veUb0Rd18CQ5h3o6jSvLAY3wnYm7lt4OP7Qlhz52jCGkA7ic8FXs5wzYAz4xW9HxaC-2FW-2BroePXrNz0MvryEHC7x9-2FvGvSiAhEl5jkUyq6sSlTiWMt4M04DYcCxx8GtYrL-2B3aYPVgUpn4UKAT-2FsEyxPTj1VoTXzG3suTyiSN76iRM6kS-2B8ghRehqmSoFBsctIt24NXQeAFUQ2Kz1K9ZOBmtsf2A-2FmBYppAqpxa7rWvhqGtqoL75L6LTSsAN1B0Z3rPv4ubrgS-2FdFbbZsdpBUfDuJ9-2BPP6NrIQlwoM4RnjX8eVACBkWVLWBFfpMzWuUTaU8A2aRDJgFsYwZSt1qPw1KynncWfJ3-2BxVxo7ALsihwB-2FanAj0Wf9nELNmatMWvbJ7HX3i409JsRBgi6YZw297tOD-2BDKIxreBttmmtcGTPe999snWrq4R6Q57YNUN9bLwJa6T913BCCe5bc-2B2n-2BGt1MCWbw89iqrtBjgh76-2BjgFSRn1bp4sUDetSmw3ap2fSCJwOU5i1JimrEnVcDioXna1HlRHLaVB9l1w026ihnIpW6E82mN7nc0OvmTp0L1t0huTK9HM39KfC4zBrJvuK2NRDhFTtYrsgbthf3wZopTaCM9G1pG-2FItG38dZTU8PYKs1SwrQw-3Dzhaj_ciJuXYfraQrmEXzxHGEcWNeiZKy7tdzQawxB4GG8-2FLPZ7CvygO9jxiRAMn5pClU-2B15cpW0Q3-2B2OjlGBmEGDqVtpIec0xRqBb5EkWv5lkuxUih-2BzoOSDC196JpLVVFQuvSkyEB3FeWNhOGaNV37az6tEHo-2FIF5qTLniiuOXvIAkREIH2ySq39Zw9bgvNBmrHJxYChgFWLSazPTXSiwW7LnpRuz2zsaE8X34dP6rtwdzgXr3lpcvlc-2FqVpmUmBoTTQ-2BYeDCAoT38ibuUL5TR3zlO-2Fqh3-2FCMUZshnjlJEZ6J5ZaxqfHeL-2FgnXVCcCSMy6q7Qt0F28yjLE8IjnIzDj2v7FFGr24EAIR0GRCPFeGNQx-2FKERsvlTf1ZtsijcuVbUAl" rel="noopener noreferrer" >announced that the company will be “developing” a tool that can determine a user’s age based on visual, physical characteristics. Under the guise of kids safety, this will mean scanning every single picture posted on the platform to determine people’s ages, with no guardrails. Fight for the Future has been warning for years that online ID checks in all of its forms, regardless of the public relations term in use (age assurance, age verification, age estimation) is a censorship and privacy nightmare that will lead to Big Tech companies cobbling together even more information about users of all ages. This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Newswire Editor.
Oily Sludge Is Flooding Their Dream Home. Oklahoma Regulators Say They Can’t Help.
The post Oily Sludge Is Flooding Their Dream Home. Oklahoma Regulators Say They Can’t Help. appeared first on ProPublica.
The Meredith family, from left: Lakely, Fletcher, Mitch, Kara and Tennessee Katie Campbell/ProPublica It was their dream home, a newly built, 2,500-square-foot modern farmhouse with a playroom that Mitch and Kara Meredith had saved for 12 years to buy for their growing family. During construction, family members had written their favorite Bible verses on studs throughout the house. For four idyllic years on Darlene Lane, the couple hosted birthday parties for their two young daughters, who became fast friends with the other children in the recently built subdivision in Fort Gibson. Film Screening Join The Frontier and ProPublica in Tulsa on May 20 for a public screening of a documentary film featuring the Meredith family. Then one evening last summer, five weeks after the couple’s third child was born, their bathroom flooded. When their 7-year-old ran into the garage to report that water was all over the floor, Mitch assumed a pipe had burst, or perhaps the toilet was backed up. Then he entered the bathroom. A thick, black fluid with an oily sheen covered the floor. Kara yelled from their bedroom for him to come quickly; the same substance was flowing out of the floor next to their bed. Mitch, along with several family members, fought the flood all night, vacuuming up the sludge and emptying buckets out the window. Black goo covered their arms. Shiny rainbow patterns covered their shoes. After pulling the bathtub away from the wall, Mitch saw that the substance was gushing through the house’s foundation. It was clear this wasn’t a plumbing problem. Last August, dark, oily fluid came up through the floors of the Merediths’ house and flooded their bathroom, bedroom and closet. Video collage by ProPublica. Photographs and videos courtesy of the Meredith family. Around 5 a.m., Mitch’s uncle turned to him. “I think this is oil,” he said. The family called the fire department, and Kara rushed their three children, including their infant, to her grandmother’s house. “And that’s the last time we got to be in our home,” Mitch said. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="960" js-autosizes data-id="77849" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143356_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg" alt="A man, a woman holding a young girl, and another girl stand together in the snow, posing for a photo in front of a large house that is being built." class="wp-image-77849" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143356_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 720w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143356_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=225,300 225w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143356_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,563 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143356_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,736 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143356_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,744 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143356_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,703 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143356_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,533 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /> Mitch, Kara and their two daughters, Tennessee and Lakely, as their house was being built. “We assumed we were getting a perfect house,” Mitch said. Courtesy of the Meredith family <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="657" height="876" js-autosizes data-id="77858" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143402-PDcrop_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg" alt="A wooden stud in a house has the words written on it: “When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, the flames will not set you ablaze.”" class="wp-image-77858" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143402-PDcrop_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 657w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143402-PDcrop_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=225,300 225w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143402-PDcrop_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,563 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143402-PDcrop_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,736 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143402-PDcrop_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,744 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143402-PDcrop_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,703 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260224_143402-PDcrop_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,533 400w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 657px) 100vw, 657px" /> The Merediths invited family members to write Bible verses on the studs of the house. “Our faith is what’s most important to us, and we wanted to put that into the bones of the house,” Kara said. Courtesy of the Meredith family <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="1003" width="752" data-id="77850" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="A pregnant woman takes a photo of herself with her phone in the mirror of her bedroom, with one hand holding her belly." class="wp-image-77850" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 2250w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=225,300 225w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,1024 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1152,1536 1152w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,2048 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,1151 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,563 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,736 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,744 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,703 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,1003 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,1532 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,1600 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,533 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,1067 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,2133 1600w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111803_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2000,2667 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="1003" width="752" data-id="77851" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="A man sitting in a large chair sleeps with a baby boy on his chest. A deer head is mounted on the wall above him." class="wp-image-77851" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 2250w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=225,300 225w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,1024 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1152,1536 1152w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,2048 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,1151 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,563 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,736 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,744 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,703 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,1003 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,1532 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,1600 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,533 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,1067 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,2133 1600w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_20260427_111859_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2000,2667 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> The couple’s third child, Fletcher, was born in July 2025. Forty days later dark, oily water surged through the foundation of their home. Courtesy of the Meredith family The Frontier and ProPublica’s reporting on oil and gas pollution in Oklahoma over the last year has shown how old oil wells abandoned by the industry pose severe public and environmental health risks. Officially, the state lists 19,000 orphan wells that state regulators are responsible for cleaning up, but the true figure is likely over 300,000, according to federal researchers. State records suggest that the Merediths’ house may have been built on top of an improperly plugged oil well drilled in the 1940s. And on that fateful Saturday last August, something woke it up. Mitch drilled a hole into his home’s concrete foundation in hopes of diverting the sludge out of the house and into the yard. It worked: The foul-smelling water began to pour out of the cavity, filling a deep trench they had dug. Many of their possessions were ruined. A strong smell of gas hung throughout the house, permeating clothes, sheets and mattresses. After leaving Darlene Lane, the family moved four times in four months — at times paying their mortgage and rent simultaneously. At the outset of the crisis, the family had pinned most of their hopes on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, the regulatory agency responsible for overseeing oil and gas — including pollution from the industry and plugging old wells. They wanted the agency to figure out what happened — and help them clean it up. It did not take long for their hopes to transform into anger. In a September call, Mitch argued with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission about his case. Courtesy of the Meredith family State regulators, according to the family, have done little to help them. “They wanted to act like it would go away,” Mitch said. In October, more than a month after the flooding began, Jeremy Hodges, the director of the commission’s oil and gas division, met with Mitch and Kara at the house. He told them that when his team stuck a gas reader into the hole in their bathroom floor, where the oily water continued to flow, it showed gas concentrations at explosive levels, according to a recording that the Merediths provided to The Frontier and ProPublica. The local public works authority had also brought out a gas reader. It found gas levels that constituted a “serious and immediate hazard,” according to a report. Old, unplugged wells — like the one that state records indicate is near or possibly under the Merediths’ house — are known to leak gas and toxic fluids. Hodges also told the couple that the agency would likely have to tear down the house to look for the well and plug it. Subsequent sampling conducted by the commission showed salt readings that suggested the presence of wastewater resulting from the production of oil and gas. Other testing by the state’s environmental quality department found elevated levels of heavy metals commonly found in oil field wastewater including barium and bromide. Mitch took his own samples and paid an environmental lab to test them. The results also pointed to oil and gas pollution. Mitch didn’t realize when his family rushed out of their house last August that they wouldn’t be able to return. Katie Campbell/ProPublica But as the months wore on, the agency never stated explicitly that the mysterious substance contaminating the Merediths’ home was the byproduct of oil and gas production. It simply referred to the pollution as “water” in public statements. In a packed town hall in March convened after the family began criticizing the agency on social media, community members grilled Hodges and several other high-ranking agency representatives about the Merediths’ situation for two hours, pressing them about the environmental risks and demanding action. About half of Oklahomans live within 1 mile of oil and gas wells. “Would you live there?” a woman in the audience asked Hodges. “I’m not going to answer that,” he responded, prompting jeers from the crowd. “So you’re saying that you don’t want to answer the question of whether you would actually live in that house?” asked Mitch’s brother, Matt Meredith. “That’s a hypothetical,” Hodges said. “I’m not going to answer that.” “God, we just continue to pray that you will put a heavy conviction on these people’s hearts, and that they would do the right thing,” Kara prayed before a town hall meeting held by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to discuss the pollution on the family’s property. Katie Campbell/ProPublica Homeowners facing such an event should file damages with their insurance companies, Jim Marshall, an administrator with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, said from the front of the community center conference room. But the family’s insurance company had denied their claim last fall — citing exclusions for pollution and water damage — without ever inspecting the damage, according to the Merediths’ attorney. The Merediths have sued American Mercury, their insurance company, which did not answer questions about the case because of pending litigation, as well as their developers, who did not respond to requests for comment. At the public meeting, Marshall suggested underground water sources could be pushing fluid into the home, noting that the Merediths’ neighborhood once contained several ponds. If the culprit is not oil and gas, that would shift the responsibility for cleanup to other state agencies. Marshall, Hodges and an agency attorney repeatedly told the crowd that with the house likely blocking access to the well, the agency had reached the end of its legal ability to help the Merediths. Jack Damrill, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, did not answer questions about what the agency thinks is causing the pollution but said it “recognizes the seriousness of the concerns raised regarding the Meredith family matter, as well as the broader public interest.” The agency, he said in a statement, has “devoted significant investigative time, technical expertise, and regulatory resources to reviewing the situation and will continue to evaluate any new, relevant information as it becomes available.” Last week, Oklahoma lawmakers passed a bill introduced by the Merediths’ state senator, Avery Frix, that would create a fund to compensate homeowners whose houses have been damaged by oil and gas pollution. While hopeful that the legislation will help them, Mitch noted that it requires the commission to confirm the presence of an old well, something the agency has yet to do at the Merediths’ home. On Darlene Lane, the flow of contamination increased in late April and continues to seep into their neighbor’s yard. “What I’ve begged for from the beginning is for them to help me contain it,” Mitch said. “They have refused to do anything.” Nine months after they were forced to flee their dream home, the family of five is crammed into a 900-square-foot, two-bedroom bungalow on Mitch’s parents’ farm where the couple had lived as newlyweds. The girls share a bunk bed. The baby sleeps in Mitch and Kara’s room. The Merediths are staying in a house that’s less than half the size of their Darlene Lane house. “It’s been tough on them,” Kara said of her daughters. “They don’t understand how we can’t just go buy a new house. We have a mortgage on a house that’s uninhabitable.” Katie Campbell/ProPublica The girls often ask to play with the neighbors they had to leave behind, along with many of their possessions. Their toys still line the shelves of their bedrooms in the house on Darlene Lane, awaiting their return. Wet clothes sat in the washer for months. Half-packed boxes are scattered around the floor, evidence of the family’s panicked retreat last August. The house is stuck in time, like a museum of the Merediths’ old life. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="423" width="752" data-id="78788" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="A dark bedroom, dimly lit by light from the windows. Sheets and pillows are on the bed, disheveled, and water is pooled on the floor." class="wp-image-78788" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 1920w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,485 863w, 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https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still001_middle_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,900 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="423" width="752" data-id="78789" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="A pair of cowboy boots." class="wp-image-78789" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 1920w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,485 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,237 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,311 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,314 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,296 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,423 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,646 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still013_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,900 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> Kara and the children avoid visiting the house on Darlene Lane because of the methane fumes and the emotional toll. Katie Campbell/ProPublica <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="423" width="752" data-id="78790" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="A doll lies in a doll bed, lit by a window behind it, with several household items around it." class="wp-image-78790" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 1920w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, 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752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,646 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still010_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,900 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="423" width="752" data-id="78791" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="A deer head mounted on a wall, with a wilted houseplant on the furniture beneath it." class="wp-image-78791" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 1920w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,485 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,237 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,311 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,314 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,296 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,423 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,646 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,450 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Meredith_OilHouse_Still005_lighter_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,900 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> “We’re in a position where we can’t move on,” Mitch said. “We know we’re going to lose the house. Everything we worked for is gone.” Katie Campbell/ProPublica Mitch took matters into his own hands, drilling a hole in the side of the house to drain the fluid. He dug a pit and installed a sump pump to divert the flow into an aerobic septic tank. As of late April, the cloudy contamination was still flowing out of the house. Katie Campbell/ProPublica Help Us Report on the Impact of Oil Field Waste in Oklahoma Toxic wastewater from oil fields keeps pouring out of the ground in Oklahoma. For years, residents have filed complaints and struggled to find solutions. We need your help to understand the full scale of the problem. Share Your Experience The post Oily Sludge Is Flooding Their Dream Home. Oklahoma Regulators Say They Can’t Help. appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Nick Bowlin.
Tiny Footprints, a Blue Blanket: What I Can’t Forget About the Babies Who Died of Vitamin K Deficiency
The post Tiny Footprints, a Blue Blanket: What I Can’t Forget About the Babies Who Died of Vitamin K Deficiency appeared first on ProPublica.
Footprints of an infant in an autopsy report from Arizona Obtained and redacted for privacy by ProPublica I recently wrote about babies dying from a rare but fatal condition called vitamin K deficiency bleeding. To report the story, I analyzed hundreds of rows of data, contacted more than 50 hospitals and birthing centers, and filed nearly 90 public records requests. But autopsy reports — one record of how these babies died — painted the clearest picture of these tragedies. I’m sharing some of the most critical lessons I learned from the autopsy reports in hopes of creating a greater awareness of this condition and highlighting what decades of research and interviews with dozens of doctors found: In almost every case, the deaths could have been prevented with a simple shot of vitamin K at birth. ProPublica is not sharing the babies’ names, the dates or years of death, or the locations within a state to protect the families’ privacy. Read More Babies Are Bleeding to Death as Parents Reject a Vitamin Shot Given at Birth Babies need vitamin K to help their blood clot, but they aren’t born with enough of it in their system. Two researchers were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1943 for their discovery of vitamin K and its ability to form clots and stop bleeding in babies, and the vitamin K shot has been a standard intervention for newborns in the U.S. since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended it more than 60 years ago. But in recent years, parents have started refusing the shot. Although the vitamin K shot is not a vaccine, it has become entangled in the anti-vaccine movement. False and misleading information online has led some parents to believe the shot is harmful. In addition, some parents have voiced a desire for a more natural birthing experience, one without pharmaceutical intervention. And some simply don’t want their babies to go through the pain of an injection that they don’t believe is necessary. Hospital data and research studies have documented this shift. In December, a national study of more than 5 million births found that the rate of babies not receiving vitamin K jumped 77% from 2017 to 2024. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that newborns who don’t get the shot are 81 times more likely than those who do to develop late vitamin K deficiency bleeding. In many cases, there are no warning signs. The babies are healthy and happy just days and sometimes hours before they suffer catastrophic bleeding. 1. The role vitamin K deficiency played in the babies’ deaths <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="720" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=752" alt="A heavily redacted medical document with personal information, including names, dates and locations, obscured by black bars. Under the “Manner” section, “Natural” is checked. Under “Cause,” two lines are highlighted in yellow: “1: Vitamin K deficiency bleeding” and “2: Postnatal vitamin K prophylaxis not received.”" class="wp-image-77444" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 2407w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,287 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,735 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,980 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1470 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,1960 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,826 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,404 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,528 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,534 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,504 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,720 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,1099 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1672,1600 1672w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,383 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,765 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,1148 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1531 1600w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence1-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1914 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> An infant’s autopsy report from Minnesota Obtained and redacted for privacy by ProPublica Not all deaths are investigated by a medical examiner or coroner, but I filed open records requests in several states and counties to obtain those that were. One of the first things that stood out was how clear the role of vitamin K was in many of the cases. Vitamin K deficiency was listed in the autopsies as the immediate cause of death or as contributing to it. Details about parents refusing the vitamin K shot also were usually included. In this autopsy from Minnesota, the medical examiner determined the baby died of vitamin K deficiency bleeding. The second line included the fact that vitamin K was not received as part of preventive care after the baby was born. Seeing vitamin K deficiency listed as a cause of death was important because it removed doubt that the bleeding could have been caused by another factor, such as an injury. The other autopsies I examined also used similar language. One of the challenges around vitamin K deficiency bleeding is the data. State and federal agencies don’t track which babies don’t get the shot and which babies suffer bleeds or die. Many medical experts told me that the number of deaths directly attributed to vitamin K — fewer than a dozen annually — are only part of the story. Hundreds of babies die every year from spontaneous bleeding in the brain. Some of those deaths, these experts said, likely are related to vitamin K deficiency bleeding. This has led doctors to call for better reporting and tracking. 2. What items accompanied the babies <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="331" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="A snippet of black text on a white background containing three descriptive lines. The first line is numbered “10” and mentions a hospital name band on a right ankle, with the baby’s name redacted by a black bar. The second line states that the “body is dressed in a dry and unsoiled disposable diaper weighing 20 g.” The final line, centered below, notes that a blue blanket accompanied the body." class="wp-image-77445" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 2071w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,86 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,221 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,295 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,443 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,590 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,249 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,122 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,159 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,161 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,152 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,217 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,331 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,577 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,115 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,231 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,346 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence2-V3_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,461 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Autopsy reports reviewed by ProPublica often included lines about what items the infants arrived with. Obtained and redacted for privacy by ProPublica Most of the autopsies didn’t just list medical findings. They contained summaries and descriptions, including a baby’s weight, length, hair and eye color. One of the details that struck me is what the babies came to the morgue with: a hospital band around the ankle, an unsoiled diaper, a blue blanket. It reminded me of Tim O’Brien’s classic collection of linked short stories, “The Things They Carried,” about what soldiers take with them, both physically and emotionally. These items were a heartbreaking reminder that these babies were just that — babies who had yet to take their first step or kick their first soccer ball. 3. What the babies endured <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="240" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="A short paragraph of black text on a light gray background titled “Opinion.” The text describes a 1-month-old infant diagnosed with hemorrhagic disease of the newborn following a home birth without supplemental vitamin K. A sentence is highlighted in yellow: “The autopsy revealed subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage with cerebral edema and necrosis of the brain.” The paragraph concludes by noting that no obvious inflicted trauma was identified." class="wp-image-77446" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 2330w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,63 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,161 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,214 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,321 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,428 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,180 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,88 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,115 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,117 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,110 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,157 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,240 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,418 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,84 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,167 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,251 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence3-V2_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,334 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Some reports, like this one from Alabama, described intracranial bleeding. Obtained and highlighted by ProPublica The autopsies described, often in painstaking detail, what the babies endured. In this case of a 1-month-old from Alabama, the autopsy found that the baby had suffered subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage, which are types of bleeds that occur in different areas immediately on top of the brain. The first, subdural, occurs when blood collects under one of the layers of tissue inside the skull that protect the brain. A subarachnoid bleed occurs in the space below a different layer. A cerebral edema is a type of swelling in the brain, and necrosis of the brain is the death of living brain tissue. The autopsy also described the cause as “hemorrhagic disease of newborn,” the previous name of vitamin K deficiency bleeding, which some clinicians still use. Autopsies are official records and often are written as such. I reached out to pathologists and other doctors to help me understand and translate the medical terminology. As agonizing as it was, it was important to document. Our job as reporters is to bear witness to the truth, as distressing as it may be. 4. How hard doctors tried to save them <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="201" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="A snippet of black text on a light gray background, labeled with the letter “f.” The text reads, “At the time of hand-off, he again coded and was worked on for thirty to thirty-five minutes before resuscitative efforts were stopped at the request of infant’s parents.”" class="wp-image-77447" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 1512w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,52 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,134 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,179 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,151 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,74 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,96 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,97 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,92 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,131 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,201 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,70 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,140 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence4-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,210 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Many of the reports cited the attempts by doctors to save the infants’ lives. Obtained by ProPublica Some of the autopsies had a section titled “Evidence of Medical Intervention.” In it, the pathologists described what steps the doctors and nurses took to try to save the babies. Doctors inserted tubes into the babies’ airways, connected them to IVs, ordered blood transfusions. It’s an excruciating section to read because if things had gone differently, the baby may have survived. In this case from Kentucky, the medical team attempted several lifesaving measures. Still, the baby coded twice. Doctors were able to resuscitate him the first time, but the second time, after about half an hour of trying to bring him back again, his parents finally told them they could stop. 5. How tiny the babies were when they died <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="742" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=752" alt="A pair of black ink footprints from an infant centered on a white page. Above and below the footprints are several rows of official form fields and identifying information, all of which have been redacted with solid black bars." class="wp-image-77448" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 2334w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,296 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,758 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,1010 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1516 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,2021 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,852 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=70,70 70w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,416 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,545 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,551 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,520 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,742 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,1134 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1622,1600 1622w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,395 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,789 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,1184 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1579 1600w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Evidence5-V1_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1973 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> An infant’s autopsy report from Arizona Obtained and redacted for privacy by ProPublica The autopsies underscored just how preventable these deaths could have been. Seeing the tiny footprints of one of those babies in the autopsy records is a haunting reminder of that. Parents frame their baby’s footprints to hang on the wall or tuck into keepsake boxes. The footprints often elicit a rush of happy memories. But when those footprints appear in autopsy records, they transform into a tragic reminder of how tiny the babies were when they died. Are You a Family Member, Doctor, Nurse or Midwife? I want to understand more about why families decline a vitamin K shot. I know how difficult it is to talk about losing a child and how hard it can be to process this kind of grief. Words can’t express how sorry I am for your loss. ProPublica’s goal is to give the public the best, most trustworthy information. If you have a story to share, I hope you will reach out to me when you’re ready. Duaa Eldeib Send me your tips, stories and documents. Reach me by email or securely on Signal at 312-730-4797. I take the protection of my sources extremely seriously. Contact Me The post Tiny Footprints, a Blue Blanket: What I Can’t Forget About the Babies Who Died of Vitamin K Deficiency appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Duaa Eldeib.
Utah’s fragile desert could feel like the Sahara if America’s biggest data center gets built
The Great Salt Lake is drying up. What happens when a data center as large as a city sits next to it?
Plans for a celebrity-backed “hyperscale” data center in rural Utah, so massive that it would consume more than double the state’s current electricity use, have generated an intense public and political backlash in a state where the motto is “industry” and a Republican supermajority tends to be deferential to development. The project, brought by “Shark Tank” TV personality Kevin O’Leary, would span 40,000 acres, demand 9 gigawatts of power once completed, and raise the state’s carbon emissions by 64 percent, according to estimates. While its water needs remain unknown, the sprawling data center would neighbor the northernmost tip of the shrinking Great Salt Lake, which will likely hit a record-low elevation this year following an unprecedented dry winter. It could also create a massive heat island capable of devastating the area’s ecology, said Robert Davies, a physics professor at Utah State University. Davies estimated that the finished project would cover about as many square miles as Washington, D.C., making it the largest data center on the planet, and that it could produce enough heat to spike nighttime temperatures by as much as 28 degrees Fahrenheit in the high-desert valley. “I suspected it would not be good,” Davies said. “What I’ve found is, it’s so much worse than I even thought it would be.” News of the proposed data complex, dubbed the Stratos Project, became public in April after the three commissioners of Box Elder County, the mostly agricultural community that would host it, approved the project. They pointed to the project’s approval by more powerful state agencies and asserted that stopping it was out of their hands, while refusing to hear comments from more than 1,000 people who showed up to share their concerns. Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, has since walked back some of his full-throated support. “Many are asking questions about water, air quality, energy, land use, and the long-term impact on rural Utah,” Cox wrote in a thread on X earlier this month after intense public outcry over the project. “Those are real concerns, and all Utahns should expect clear standards and accountability.” The controversy in Utah is a stark illustration of a wider trend. Across the United States, data centers are drawing bipartisan backlash as communities clash with tech giants and developers over strained water supplies and spiking energy costs. At least two other massive data campus projects are proposed elsewhere in Utah, but they have not received anywhere near the pushback as the Stratos Project. Many opponents have pointed to efforts state leaders have made in recent years to support water conservation — Utah is among the driest states in the country — and the state legislature’s multi-million dollar investments to help the Great Salt Lake refill. The lake’s drying bed has already become a source of toxic dust threatening the health of millions of residents living on the Wasatch Front, Utah’s urban core. It seems contradictory, then, to build a potentially water-intensive and explosively hot industrial development right next door to such an endangered and iconic spot. “The greed behind this deal is clearly blinding the officials to just how much is at stake for the rest of us,” wrote Monika Norwid of Salt Lake City, one of the Utah residents who sent comments to the state’s Division of Water Rights protesting the project. “I refuse to let this greed imperil our already fragile wildlife, I refuse to allow some useless technology steal the rest of our insufficient water for a project that is way beyond the scale of this area.” In an interview with CNN, O’Leary downplayed the environmental impact of his project, saying Stratos is “not going to destroy air quality” and “not going to drain the Great Salt Lake.” <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Kevin-OLeary-2274830964.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="An investor, Kevin O'Leary, has both hands up while in conversation." data-caption="Kevin O’Leary attends Consensus Miami 2026 at Miami Beach Convention Center on May 06, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. " data-credit="Romain Maurice / Getty Images"/> Kevin O’Leary attends Consensus Miami 2026 at Miami Beach Convention Center on May 06, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida. Romain Maurice / Getty Images Austin Pritchett, a cofounder of West GenCo, the developer partnering with O’Leary Digital Limited on the project, said that they plan to purchase roughly 3,000 acre‑feet of on‑site water rights and already have around 10,000 acre‑feet under contract from the nearby town of Snowville if needed. Added together, that’s enough water to supply the basic needs of more than 20,000 Utah households. Utah’s Division of Water Rights has only received one application for the project so far — to transfer 1,900 acre-feet currently used for irrigation by the Bar H Ranch. That application was pulled last week, but a representative with the ranch said it will refile and “fully intends to move forward with the project.” A division spokesperson said they anticipate more applications from the data center developers soon. Some scientists worry the project’s power demands and resulting heat island effect will transform its high-desert climate into something more akin to the Sahara. Stratos would build its own power plant, state supporters have said, and its fuel will likely come from a corridor carrying natural gas from Wyoming to Nevada, Oregon, and California called the Ruby Pipeline. O’Leary specifically chose Box Elder County’s Hansel Valley to build the complex because the pipeline spans it, state officials have said. “It could generate power at a significant level,” said Paul Morris, executive director of Utah’s Military Installation Development Authority, a powerful quasi-governmental state agency that provides tax incentives for development, during a public meeting in April. “This location was picked because of the gas pipeline.” <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/3TD3NG4DBNE2BCN3P3HQZBVUU4.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="Hansel Valley, a rural area in Utah" data-caption="Utah’s Hansel Valley, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. " data-credit="Rick Egan / The Salt Lake Tribune"/> Utah’s Hansel Valley, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Rick Egan / The Salt Lake Tribune Davies, the physics professor, has done some back-of-the-envelope calculations to better understand the sheer scale of the 9-gigawatt project. And what he’s penciled out so far has him alarmed. “Nine gigawatts, that’s a number that’s really challenging to get your brain around,” the professor said. ”Communicating the scale has been a real problem.” The entire project will actually produce roughly 16 gigawatts of thermal energy, according to Davies. It starts with the massive on-site power generation, which will generate 7 to 8 gigawatts of waste heat just producing the needed electricity for the data center, since gas plants are only about 57 percent efficient. And once that electricity reaches the data center, every watt will turn into pure heat, because anytime a gadget consumes power, it converts it into heat, Davies explained, whether it’s a toaster, a car, or a sprawling rack of computer servers. Typically, waste heat from end uses of electricity is dumped far from a power plant, in homes, businesses, or on roads where it dissipates. In this case, the Stratos project will release roughly 16 gigawatts of thermal energy into Hansel Valley, according to Davies. That trapped thermal load is the “equivalent of about 23 atom bombs worth of energy dumped into this local environment every single day,” Davies said. That doesn’t mean the project would wipe out the landscape with an explosion or release dangerous nuclear radiation, but the heat it creates could devastate the local ecology. “What happens if you deposit that much energy continuously into a topography like this?” Davies wondered. “Right at the north end of the Great Salt Lake, a watershed that’s in collapse. A high-desert environment? A valley?” Davies thinks dumping that much heat into Hansel Valley will raise local temperatures by 5 degrees F during the day and up to 28 degrees at night. “That’s the difference between Utah’s semi-arid climate and the Sahara Desert,” said Ben Abbott, an ecology professor at Brigham Young University who has reviewed Davies’ estimates. “This would absolutely change the landscape.” Evaporation would spike. The dew point could collapse, with devastating consequences on wildlife, plants, and the fertility of land owned by other ranchers in the valley, Abbott and Davies said. Abbott suspects Hansel Valley would become another source of dust on the Wasatch Front, in addition to the exposed and drying lake bed of the shrinking Great Salt Lake. “I’m happy to be further educated. Maybe I’m getting something wrong here,” Davies said. “But that is kind of the point, right? You literally have a hyperscale project that is getting no due diligence.” Salt Lake Tribune reporter Samantha Moilanen contributed to this story. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Utah’s fragile desert could feel like the Sahara if America’s biggest data center gets built on May 18, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Leia Larsen.
“MIN JIBAAL” ~ The Sounds of a Kingdom𐩘ᐂ𐄘 recordings from JORDAN ᐂ𐄘 official teaser
Gas prices are rising. So is public transit ridership.
Mass transit systems are seeing more riders as fuel prices rise, but experts say most Americans still have little choice but to drive.
Higher gas prices are bringing some Americans back to public transit. The increase in ridership comes as the war in Iran has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing the national average price of gasoline beyond $4.50 per gallon. In California, drivers are paying more than $6.15 per gallon on average. Rising fuel prices have historically pushed at least some Americans toward buses and trains, particularly commuter rail. But experts caution that decades of car-oriented development and inconsistent transit funding still leave most people with few practical alternatives to driving. For those reasons, ridership is rising most sharply in places with robust transit systems and steep fuel prices. California is a clear example. Transit agencies in San Diego, Los Angeles County, and the San Francisco Bay Area have seen ridership jump in recent weeks. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency –– which, like others in California, received an emergency loan from the state in February –– saw its highest ridership totals since the pandemic in March. Mark Olson, a spokesman for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, said gas prices probably drove the 6.5 percent jump in ridership it experienced in March compared to the previous year. Until the agency surveys riders, however, that remains an educated guess. “A lot of our riders are low income, and certainly gas prices can be much more sensitive to lower income residents and riders,” Olson said. In an effort to court riders, the agency, which faces a $500 million budget deficit over the next four years, has launched a commute calculator that compares the cost of driving and public transit. Michael Roccaforte, a spokesman for the San Francisco MTA, said it is too early to link higher gas prices to ridership increases, but called the return of riders to Muni — which has undergone speed and reliability upgrades in recent years — “a promising sign.” “It’s a service that really matters to everyone here in San Francisco,” he said. The ridership gains aren’t limited to California. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in the Washington, D.C. and Valley Metro in Texas also reported increases. Intercity passenger rail operators Amtrak and Brightline have seen a boost, too. The trend mirrors past research showing that sustained increases in fuel costs can push some people toward public transit. Hiroyuki Iseki, an urban studies and planning professor at the University of Maryland, co-authored a study on how gasoline prices affect public transit in 10 cities between 2002 and 2011. He found that when gas prices climbed 10 percent over the course of 13 months, light rail ridership increased by 1.2 percent and bus ridership by 0.8 percent. Iseki’s study also found psychological effects as gas prices passed different thresholds. For example, when gas prices rose by 10 percent and topped $3 per gallon, ridership of all forms of mass transit increased by about 1.2 percent. A 10 percent increase that pushed prices beyond $4 led to a 9.3 percent jump for light rail. “Usually the people who use commuter rail, take rail only for commuting, just one round trip between home and their work location,” Iseki said. “Commuter rail, the travel distance is longer than other transit trips, so the longer the distance of travel the more pricey the gasoline cost.” Some people are better positioned to leave their cars at home, said UCLA urban planning professor Michael Manville. Those with access to commuter rail, which tends to be time competitive with driving, might make a change. But the more likely outcome is people continue driving to work and make shorter or fewer trips or even cut back on other expenses, he said. That’s because of the cognitive hurdle often required to make a switch to mass transit. “It’s one thing to say, ‘Look, I’m just not going to drive quite as much as I used to in a discretionary way,’” Manville said. “It’s quite another for the typical person to then say, ‘I’m not gonna drive to work. I’m gonna figure out how the bus works.’” There is a societal challenge as well. The U.S. has since the end of World War II made cars the focal point of city planning. “We made a bunch of policy decisions that turned them into bad masters, but they are also good servants,” Manville said of automobiles. “You throw the family in them, and you don’t have to worry about the chaos of your kids and all their stuff.” A fundamental shift from car travel to public transit would require better-funded systems that offer greater reliability and convenience. Transit has accounted for less than a third of federal transportation funding since 1956. As of 2017, 87 percent of trips in the U.S. were taken by car. Federal policy has an enormous impact on who does and does not have access to something like commuter rail. Elisa Ramirez, who works on policy for Transportation for America, would like to see the federal government treat mass transit as a core priority with consistent funding. Until that happens, car travel will likely continue to be the dominant mode of transport. “Time is money, and even though people can afford a $2 fare, they can’t afford to be late for work or miss doctor’s appointments,” she said. “For most Americans, driving is not optional, and that’s my big thing. How much does gas impact people moving to transit? First we need to have reliable transit.” This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Gas prices are rising. So is public transit ridership. on May 18, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Benton Graham.
Israel becomes world’s most disliked country, global survey finds
Middle East Monitor Israel is now perceived more negatively than any other country in the world, according to new global polling published by Nira Data as part of its 2026 democracy and country perception research. The five most positively perceived countries were Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Sweden and Italy. The findings place Israel at the bottom
Middle East Monitor Israel is now perceived more negatively than any other country in the world, according to new global polling published by Nira Data as part of its 2026 democracy and country perception research. The five most positively perceived countries were Switzerland, Canada, Japan, Sweden and Italy. The findings place Israel at the bottom of the Global Country Perceptions 2026 ranking, a survey of 46,667 respondents assessing how 129 countries and three international organisations are viewed around the world. READ MORE: As Israel becomes a global pariah, leaked Meta data reveals soaring costs for its brands Israel to spend $730m on propaganda as global image collapses over Gaza genocide Improvements in Pacific media freedom, but a shameful silence on Gaza ‘death trap’ Other Gaza and war on Iran reports The ranking was published alongside Nira Data’s 2026 Democracy Perception Index, which surveyed 94,146 respondents across 98 countries on how citizens experience democracy in their own countries. The result marks another sign of Israel’s deepening international isolation amid its genocide in Gaza, mass displacement of Palestinians, starvation policies and escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, and attacks on Lebanon in breach of a so-called “ceasefire”. Israel’s global image has collapsed as human rights organisations, UN experts and international courts have warned of grave violations of international law by the occupation state. The United States has also suffered a dramatic collapse in global standing. The US is now ranked among the five most negatively perceived countries in the world, below both Russia and China in international favourability. Its net perception score fell from +22 per cent in 2024 to -16 per cent in 2026, a 38-point drop in just two years. Growing anger over Trump US decline came amid growing anger over President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, including strained relations with NATO allies, aggressive tariffs, threats relating to Greenland, cuts to Ukraine aid and Washington’s role in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The survey found that the US is now viewed as a major global threat, behind Russia and Israel. The wider 2026 Democracy Perception Index describes itself as the world’s largest annual democracy survey. Unlike expert-based democracy rankings, it asks citizens directly how they experience democracy through questions on elections, freedom of speech, political pluralism, civic education, separation of powers, rule of law, government transparency and peaceful transitions. The collapse in Israel’s standing comes as global public opinion has shifted sharply against the occupation state over its assault on Gaza. Since October 2023, Israel has killed more than 74,000 Palestinians, destroyed most of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure, displaced nearly the entire population and imposed conditions that UN experts and genocide scholars have described as genocidal. For the US, the findings point to the steep cost of Washington’s continued military, diplomatic and political support for Israel. While successive US administrations have shielded Israel from accountability at the UN and continued arms transfers despite mounting evidence of war crimes, the survey suggests that global publics increasingly associate American power with impunity, double standards and destabilising wars. Republished from Middle East Monitor. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Illustrator and author Yumi Sakugawa on unlearning the self-punitive model of making art
What have you been meditating on recently?
What have you been meditating on recently? One of the ideas I’ve been meditating on lately is what does it mean to be colonized? In the inverse, what does it mean to decolonize, to reindigenize? I’ve only recently started grappling with those questions in wanting to connect more with my Okinawan side and thinking about the history of Okinawa being colonized by Japan and how the colonization of Okinawa relates to the colonization of other colonized people in other places in the world. Thinking energetically, what does colonization do to your spirit? In turn, how can we reclaim what was taken from us? Not in the sense of faithfully recreating what was in the past, but to claim our agency while also paving new patterns for the future. What is your process for acquiring inspiration? It’s a mix of receptivity as well as listening to my intuition. It’s improvising with the universe and then there may be a stray idea or suggestion. Then I follow that rabbit hole and see where I end up. I love the idea of improvising with the universe. Have most of your creative projects come out of that play? Yes, I think so. Most of my published books were not planned. A lot of my published books are the results of me making a web comic because I really wanted to excavate a certain feeling or making a zine because I wanted to delve more into my meditation practice. And then just very serendipitously, they ended up becoming books. One example in particular is my book, Fashion Forecasts, which is about futuristic Asian American intergenerational fashion designs that’s also a little silly. That started as me wanting to make silly fashion designs out of boredom. And then that all accumulated serendipitously into being able to exhibit the artwork generated at the Smithsonian Arts and Industries building through the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, which then became a zine and an exhibit where my friend actually made these fashion designs come to life through costumes on mannequins, which eventually became a book. A lot of my artistic career was very unplanned; they came as a result of me wanting to put work out there based on my interests. Do you have a strong intuition of what to say yes to, what to say no to? When do you say no to something? I definitely have a strong intuition as far as what to say yes to, what to say no to. I am pretty committed to having a daily meditation practice, which expands your intuition the more you do it. I’ve also done a lot of therapy and self-help, so I’ve unpeeled the layers of people pleasing and unlearning the tendency to say yes to things and overfilling my plate. Also I’ve done a lot of work as far as being more somatically attuned to my body. Listening somatically to when my body says yes and when my body says no. I generally follow that somatic intelligence of how my body feels when confronted with a choice. When something is a no, it’s like my body constricts or I feel flat and I don’t feel any nudge or curiosity, and so I know to not do the thing. What does a yes feel like? A yes can feel like different things. There is a sense of an opening, a feeling of ease, a feeling of excitement, but also sometimes it may feel intimidating. There may be that somatic gaslighting, like your lizard brain being like, “No, this is scary.” But there is this other layer of inner intelligence that says, “Well, let’s still explore this.” Ultimately it’s the sense of opening and wanting to move forward. Fear and excitement can feel very similar somatically, but that’s when you have to investigate further. To your point, is it regressive or is it progressive? It’s hard to tell sometimes. Absolutely. But the more you practice exercising your discernment, it gets so much easier with time and practice and repetition. I’m curious about your relationship with failure and how you internalize your lessons. Tell me about how you learn. I feel like the only failure is not doing anything, not trying. Even if things don’t go as planned… I can’t think of anything in my creative life that would necessarily be categorized as failures. I see them all as experiences, experiments, and data points to then glean from for future experiences. My friend wanted to know—she’s a Sagittarius—do you identify with being a Sagittarius? Absolutely! The aspect of Sagittarius energy I have always related to the most is the love of freedom and autonomy and deep hatred of anything that takes away my freedom and autonomy and personal space. The other stereotype of Sagittarius energy is that they’re very brash truth tellers. I was very shy and introverted and quiet and socially awkward as a kid. I didn’t relate to that as much but as I become more my own person, I relate to that brash Sagittarius energy. And of course, I love traveling, I love novelty, I get bored easily, I love big picture thinking over detail oriented thinking. I have that joyful, lucky optimism that’s associated with Sagittarius energy, and I feel like I do have a lot of abundance and luck in my life. I love being a Sagittarius and I love other Sagittariuses. Tell me more about your recent obsession with Human Design. Human Design is like astrology on steroids. My knowledge is pretty cursory; I know the most about my own archetype, the Manifestor. Manifestors, like the name implies, are all about channeling ideas and making them a reality. Whereas other archetypes, for example like Reflectors, are about holding space and reflecting other people’s energies in a container and helping people find themselves. Projectors, I get the impression that when they’re invited to do a task, that’s where they thrive. And Generators thrive in doing stuff constantly, keeping busy. The thing I relate with Manifestor energy is that we are capable of bringing ideas from the realm of ideas to bring them towards reality, but we don’t necessarily have to be the person that then does all the nitty-gritty of finalizing the thing into completion. In a revolution, not everybody should be a leader. You also need planners and people who can feed everyone. So I love this idea of everything being collaborative. It eliminates this very common widespread notion of the artist as a solo genius. Tell me about your relationship with collaboration. I’m glad you brought up the myth of the solo isolated artist because I definitely remember believing in that when I was younger and also when I was an undergrad at art school. In later years, I was able to unlearn that. Even though on paper it seems like I’m working alone a lot, I’m still in collaboration. For example, if I want to sell my zines in public spaces, I’m collaborating with the independent bookstores I like to distribute my work. If I publish a book, then I’m collaborating with the publisher, my literary agent, and then that whole ecosystem of booksellers and bookstores who bring my book to other people. I’ve definitely collaborated with friends on facilitating workshops together, as well as co-authoring a zine or co-hosting events. I am very picky about who I collaborate with. It comes down to, again, that somatic knowing of, “Okay, this person vibes with me. We’re on resonant frequencies and we understand each other.” When you have that baseline, everything else falls into place pretty quickly. What is your relationship with wellness? How do you define wellness in your day-to-day? Wellness for myself these days is embodying an ongoing sense of wholeness and excitement. It’s whatever contributes to that feeling of wholeness and also excitement to live your life. Depending on what you’re going through in your life, that can mean different things. I remember a time in my post-college adulthood feeling like I didn’t have a close network of friends. So at the time my wholeness was finding and cultivating really good friendships. Most recently, I turned 40, so I’ve been thinking a lot about proactively being really healthy in a way that is also sustainable and not self-punitive. Making an effort to cook healthy meals for myself, being physically active, prioritizing sleep, and being protective of my energy. It’s also really important to recognize the greater societal structures that we are in, especially the oppressive structures. Because with mainstream wellness, it falls into the trap of hyperindividualism and throwing money at a problem to feel better about yourself. A more holistic view of wellness has to include a critical analysis of the oppressive systems and the historical factors that made these oppressive systems possible and how supremacy culture is the backbone of so many beauty standards and insidiously shows up in conventional expectations and aspirations of wellness. There’s this Malcolm X quote: “When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘we,’ even illness becomes wellness.” I feel like modern wellness is so divorced from this sense of community wellness and I love what you said about how it’s not about restriction. You teach a webinar about discipline as pleasure—discipline as something that’s not restrictive, but rather pleasurable. What is your relationship and philosophy around discipline? I wanted to unlearn toxic ideas around discipline, especially as it pertains to creative practice, because many of us associate discipline with restriction, self-punishment–forcing yourself into working towards a “better version of yourself.” I tried doing discipline with those mindsets and it did temporarily work in the sense that I did generate a lot of art and accomplish impressive things, but it wasn’t sustainable in the sense that I was constantly in the state of feeling that I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t working hard enough. There was always this horizon I was chasing rather than acknowledging and celebrating where I was in the present. And so I really wanted to reframe the idea of discipline, not just in creative practice, but in general. We also have childhood associations with discipline. And as a child, you likely experience discipline as a form of punishment, restriction, your freedom, and autonomy being taken away, you being forced to do something that you didn’t want to do. There are other people who experience the inverse of that where they had no discipline or structure in childhood, so then they grow up into adults and they have no idea what it means to give yourself discipline and structure in a way that isn’t self-punitive or restrictive. I aim to reframe discipline as self-love, something that you give to yourself because you desire to prioritize something that is important to you, whether that is creative practice or having more time to do the hobbies that you love, or to spend more time with loved ones, or to treat your body really well because you really value your body. The other is to reframe discipline as devotion. What does it mean to be devoted to your creative practice? That completely changes the energetic frequency of whatever activity it is that you’re doing. When you replace discipline with devotion, it becomes an ongoing journey, a curiosity, a relationship. The other thing that really helps me in reframing discipline as it pertains to creative practice is that ultimately it’s about deepening your relationship to yourself, as well as your creative practice, as well as the art that you are generating. So when I think of discipline as a relational model, then it’s not so much, “How can I work harder?” The question then becomes, “How can I connect more deeply with myself? How can I connect more deeply with my creative practice? How can I show up better in this relationship that is important to me?” It inevitably will make your art stronger as well because you are connecting deeper with those parts of yourself. Have you surprised yourself with the creative things that have come out of this practice? Unlearning the self-punitive model of making art also comes with getting older. I’m so much less attached to proving myself to an external barometer. I’ve been able to reclaim the actual fun of being creative. I am pleasantly surprised by how much I was able to release these more egoic attachments to making art. It’s not about proving I have the right to be an artist. It’s more this desire to generate work I desire to share with other people. It’s not so much begging people to give me validation and proof that I’m allowed to be an artist. It’s now coming from a much more generative place where I’m thinking more, “What do I desire to share with the collective and how can I think, be of service to that?” What is that intersection of my passions, interests, curiosities—the ideas and principles and paradigms I glean from to alchemize in a way that is then transmitted to the collective? Yumi Sakugawa recommends: Get the BRICK app. You’re welcome. The most recent (as of April 2026) season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Jujutsu Kaisen. IYKYK Table at the next AZN ZINE FEST if you are an Asian diasporic zine-maker or have never made a zine and need an excuse to do so. Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body, and Primitive Accumulation by Silvia Federici HONNO PARK in Okinawa. Small art gallery and store tucked away on the second floor of a nondescript building next to a park run by cool people. This content originally appeared on The Creative Independent and was authored by Jun Chou.
Illustrator and author Yumi Sakagawa on unlearning the self-punitive model of making art
Illustrator and author Yumi Sakagawa on reframing discipline as pleasure
How North Korean Hackers Stole $570M in Crypto in 4 Months
Thom Beanal – saluting a human rights legacy for Papua’s ‘father’
ANALYSIS: By Laurens Ikinia in Jakarta The eighth floor of the Tempo building in Jakarta became the setting for a gathering rich with meaning. What brought together community leaders, politicians, academics, religious figures, journalists, and the family of the late Thom Beanal was not merely a book launch. It was an earnest attempt to revisit
ANALYSIS: By Laurens Ikinia in Jakarta The eighth floor of the Tempo building in Jakarta became the setting for a gathering rich with meaning. What brought together community leaders, politicians, academics, religious figures, journalists, and the family of the late Thom Beanal was not merely a book launch. It was an earnest attempt to revisit the essence of struggle, leadership, and hope for the land of Papua. The event, which took the form of a discussion and review of a three-volume book series on Thom Beanal, opened with greetings in multiple traditions — from an Amungme war cry to salutations representing all major tribes in Papua. READ MORE: Tom Beanal, the true indigenous of Papua ‘They’re wiping us out’ – church leader warns about young West Papuans killed in escalating conflict Papuan women ‘living in fear’ condemn military violence Other West Papua reports That gesture alone reflected the very spirit of the man being honoured: a leader who embraced diversity and respected every single man and woman. The gathering coincided with three historic moments, making it even more significant. First, it marked exactly 27 years since Thom Beanal, standing before President B. J. Habibie, boldly expressed the heartfelt desire of his people. With courage and clarity, he called for recognition as a nation that wanted to cooperate honestly, peacefully, and democratically. Second, the event served as a memorial, three years after Beanal’s passing — a man who left a deep imprint on the struggle of Indigenous Papuans. Third, it celebrated the culmination of two years of work by a writing team, resulting in a trilogy that chronicles the journey of a lay pastor, a tribal chief, and what many now call a “father” to the indigenous Papuan. From lay pastor to Indigenous defender Thom Beanal was no ordinary leader. Born on 11 July 1947 into the Amungme tribe in Timika, he completed his education from primary school to a Catholic theological academy, then served as a catechist teacher in Wamena and Paniai and as a lay pastor in several parishes. Yet behind his calming smile and disciplined demeanour lay a profoundly thoughtful mind. Witnessing firsthand the human rights abuses and ecological destruction caused by PT Freeport Indonesia, Beanal resigned from his pastoral duties. He felt a more urgent calling: to defend indigenous communities whose lands and lives were being uprooted. In 1994, he founded LEMASA, the Amungme Traditional Deliberative Council, as a vehicle for indigenous advocacy. Two years later, he took an audacious step — suing Freeport in a New Orleans court. That legal action set a precedent: for the first time, a Papuan had dared to take on a multinational giant on foreign soil. His fight did not stop there. Beanal went on to push for a one percent allocation of mining revenue for affected communities. Although limited in scope, that achievement brought a measure of justice to people who, for decades, had borne the negative impacts of mining without enjoying the wealth of their own land. Reform era and a unique role Entering the reform era, Beanal’s role expanded. Together with other Papuan figures and students, he helped establish FORERI, a forum that channelled Papuan aspirations during the early wave of reform. When the Papuan Council (Dewan Papua) was formed in 2000, he served as its vice chairman. He later became chairman of the Papuan Traditional Council from 2002 to 2007. Remarkably, President Abdurrahman Wahid — known as Gus Dur, a leader with genuine concern for justice in Papua — appointed Beanal as a commissioner of PT Freeport Indonesia. Serving until 2018, Beanal found himself in a unique position: an indigenous rights fighter sitting on the board of the very company he had long opposed. Yet despite those strategic roles, speakers at the book launch event described Thom Beanal as a humble man, disciplined and rich in metaphor. He never offered instant answers. Instead, he opened spaces for collective reason to search for truth. In every balance of history, he arrived precisely when the Papuan people were not in a good state. And sadly, three years after his passing, the reality facing Papua remains far from encouraging. A grim reality for Papua today The presentations at the Tempo building painted a grim picture. Terms like genocide, ecocide, and ethnocide were mentioned as ongoing threats to Indigenous life. Papua’s gold and other natural resources, it was argued, remain mortgaged until 2061 under a contract deemed uncivilised because it ignores the basic rights of the customary landowners. Suffering, the speakers said, is still the daily bread of Papuans. It is against this backdrop that the three books on Thom Beanal were written — not to lament the past, but to read the present clearly and to weave solutions for the future. The 47 contributors to the third volume, divided into six sections, provided reflections and testimonies that enrich the books. They came from diverse backgrounds: family members, prominent figures of the Amungme tribe, academics, activists, and religious leaders. The head of the writing team, Markus Haluk, expressed his highest appreciation to everyone who supported the two year process. Moral support and advice from religious, traditional, and political leaders were cited as a key source of strength. Special thanks were directed to the book’s reviewers, including Dr Budi Hernawan, Dr Suraya Afiff, Yorrys Raweyai, Inayah Wahid, and Emanuel Gobay, for their critical engagement with the content. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-127944" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Thom-Beanal-book-launch-Jubi-680wide.png" alt="A celebration of Thom Beanal's human rights legacy in Jayapura" width="680" height="502" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Thom-Beanal-book-launch-Jubi-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Thom-Beanal-book-launch-Jubi-680wide-300x221.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Thom-Beanal-book-launch-Jubi-680wide-80x60.png 80w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Thom-Beanal-book-launch-Jubi-680wide-569x420.png 569w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> A celebration of Thom Beanal’s human rights legacy in Jayapura in February. Image: Jubi Six strategic demands for the future More than a launch, the event became a platform for six strategic recommendations and hopes. First, the books should serve as historical source material and references for young Papuans and the wider public. The concern that the struggles of national figures might vanish with time underscores why documentation and dissemination are so urgent. Without conscious efforts to write and spread the stories of past heroes, dark chapters could repeat, and the sacrifices of predecessors might become meaningless. Second, the book launch was not meant to be a time for complaining or blaming one another. Instead, it is time to speak honestly about Papua’s current realities and then collectively formulate comprehensive, strategic solutions. This constructive mindset is a legacy of Beanal’s way of thinking — seeing problems as challenges to be solved, not excuses for despair. Third, participants were called to continue the prophetic voice exemplified by several great figures. Mentioned were bishops such as Monsignor Staverman, Monsignor Monninghoff, Monsignor Laba Ladjar, Monsignor John Philip Saklil, Father Neles Tebay, Monsignor Yanuarius You, and Monsignor Bernardus Baru OSA. Among executive leaders, two presidents known for their deep concern for Papua — B. J. Habibie and Gus Dur — were hailed as models of dignified, peaceful struggle. The goal is noble: to save the people, culture, and natural world of Papua, which remains the last remaining lung of the Asia Pacific region. Achieving this requires genuine solidarity across sectors and religions. Fourth, a firm call was directed at the Indonesian government, especially President Prabowo Subianto and relevant ministers: stop the mortgaging of Papua’s natural wealth, stop the gold theft, and stop the destruction of the universe that is the Papuan people’s home. The contract binding Papua until 2061 is seen as a form of structural injustice that must be corrected. Rejection of all forms of natural resource pledging for the benefit of a few — especially to foreign parties — was voiced loudly before dozens of attendees. Fifth, recognition of and respect for the rights of the Papuan people over politics, land, natural resources, and human dignity are non negotiable demands. The threats of genocide, ethnocide, and structural violence must be halted immediately. The absence of genuine recognition of these basic rights has been the root of decades of conflict and suffering in the land of Papua. Sixth, and perhaps most fundamental, is the call to build honest, peaceful, and democratic negotiations between the Papuan people and the Indonesian government. This is not a new idea. It is precisely what Thom Beanal himself voiced when he stood at the State Palace on 26 February 1999. He laid before the president the sincere desire of his people, offering equal dialogue based on honesty and peace. Twenty seven years later, the same call must be repeated — proof that a massive homework assignment still lies before the Indonesian government. Continuing the struggle, not grieving The subsequent discussion session opened the floor for strategic ideas from participants. The emphasis was that this gathering was not for grieving or lamenting fate, but for continuing the struggle. Attendees were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones and contribute according to their capacities. An academic might contribute through critical research, a journalist through balanced and in-depth reporting, a politician through pro-people policy advocacy, a religious leader through moral and spiritual reinforcement, and an artist through works that raise awareness. The event closed with a beautiful, touching metaphor drawn from Thom Beanal himself. He once reflected on the rain that welcomed his funeral in Timika. In his poetic logic, he hoped that the words spoken by those who continue his struggle would water the still thirsty soil of the fight. The land of Papua, with all its natural wealth and cultural diversity, has long been like an arid field waiting for the rain of justice, recognition, and respect from the wider Indonesians. A test of national commitment The gathering at the Tempo building ultimately served as a test of Indonesia’s national commitment. Do we truly want to learn from a figure like Thom Beanal? Can we draw wisdom from the journey of a lay pastor who left his religious duties to pursue social justice? Do we have the courage to admit that for decades, systematic structural injustice has occurred in Papua? And most importantly, do we possess the political will to stop all forms of exploitation and violence, and to build equal, dignified dialogue? The trilogy on Thom Beanal, launched that day, is not merely a collection of stories from the past. It is a mirror for understanding today’s reality, and a compass for stepping into the future. It is a document of courage from a child of the nation who chose not to remain silent, despite great risks. It is a legacy for young Papuans so they do not lose their historical roots, and for young Indonesians outside Papua, so they do not lose empathy and a sense of justice. In the end, the gathering affirmed that Thom Beanal’s struggle is unfinished. His legacy still needs many hands to carry it forward. Amid threats of genocide, ecocide, and various forms of structural violence, prophetic voices like those modelled by the bishops, priests, and presidents who dared to side with justice are still desperately needed. Will the Indonesian government listen? Will today’s leaders — including President Prabowo Subianto and his ministers — respond to the call to stop mortgaging natural wealth and to start honest, democratic negotiations? These questions still hang in Jakarta’s hot air, while in Timika, the rain may continue to fall, waiting for the words that can water the still thirsty land. Laurens Ikinia is a Papuan lecturer and researcher at the Institute of Pacific Studies, Indonesian Christian University, Jakarta. He is also an honorary member of the Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN) in Aotearoa New Zealand, and a contributor to Asia Pacific Report. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 17, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 17, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 17, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
Ukraine Hits Moscow Region, Four People Killed
Meet the Lebanese rescue workers being targeted by Israel
Strait of Hormuz ‘open’ except for enemies, as new Iran insurance regulatory plan touted
Asia Pacific Report Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is “open to all except its adversaries”, and any passage through the trajectory of this significant chokepoint should be coordinated with the Iranian military, reports AL Jazeera. Sources say the number of ships transiting through the strait has slightly increased, but is still very low compared
Asia Pacific Report Iran says the Strait of Hormuz is “open to all except its adversaries”, and any passage through the trajectory of this significant chokepoint should be coordinated with the Iranian military, reports AL Jazeera. Sources say the number of ships transiting through the strait has slightly increased, but is still very low compared with pre-war times, reports Tohid Asadi from Bandar Abbas, a city on the strait. Asadi has filed several exclusive reports from the strait area in the past few days. READ MORE: Drone hits UAE power plant; Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue Improvements in Pacific media freedom, but a shameful silence on Gaza ‘death trap’ Other Gaza and war on Iran reports He reports that Iran also said it was critically important for the US to lift the blockade on Iranian ships as a condition that could be taken into consideration when it comes to taking the strait into a normal situation. Iran says it will soon reveal its plan to manage traffic ⁠through the strait, including the charging of tolls, while Trump has warned Tehran will have a “very bad time” if a peace deal is not reached soon. On Saturday, Iran’s first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, said his country would no longer allow “enemy” military equipment to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Tohid Asadi reporting from the Strait of Hormuz. Video: Al Jazeera insurance-based framework The Lebanese-based satellite news service Al-Mayadeen reports that Iran is advancing an insurance-based framework to manage the strait, of H aiming to expand maritime oversight and generate post-war revenue while remaining within international law. Iran’s Ministry of Economy is reportedly advancing a proposal to manage the Strait of Hormuz through an insurance-based framework aimed at enabling post-war oversight of the strategic waterway in accordance with international law, while also creating a new source of revenue for the country. According to a document obtained by Fars News Agency, the initiative seeks to establish a mechanism through which “management of the Strait of Hormuz becomes possible via insurance,” in a way that would remain acceptable to foreign states under non-war conditions while still allowing Iran to exercise effective control over maritime activity in the strait. Under the proposed framework, Iran would gain broader oversight capabilities, including expanded access to maritime data and the ability to distinguish between vessels from different countries transiting the waterway. Since the onset of the US-Israeli war, Iranian officials have maintained that “security of the Strait of Hormuz lies with the armed forces of the Islamic Republic”. Against that backdrop, the proposal argues that management of the strait should remain under Iranian authority due to the damage Tehran has sustained from the passage of hostile vessels through the corridor. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-127925 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Strait-of-Hormuz-map-AJ-680wide.png" alt="The Strait of Hormuz " width="680" height="579" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Strait-of-Hormuz-map-AJ-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Strait-of-Hormuz-map-AJ-680wide-300x255.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Strait-of-Hormuz-map-AJ-680wide-493x420.png 493w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> The Strait of Hormuz . . . the special “safe” routes that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have designated for commercial shipping to follow. Map: Al Jazeera/IRGC This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Chevron wants a school district tax break for a data center power plant
The move could save the oil company hundreds of millions in Texas, even as state lawmakers start looking at reining in incentives for data centers.
A major oil company is seeking a state tax break in Texas worth hundreds of millions of dollars to build a massive power plant. The energy won’t be going to residential customers, though. Instead, the gas plant will be used to power a data center whose eventual tenant could be Microsoft. Chevron subsidiary Energy Forge One has filed an application with the State Comptroller’s board to obtain a tax abatement for a power plant it’s building in West Texas. In late January, the comptroller’s office made a recommendation to support the application’s approval — the first such approval under the program for a power plant intended solely for data center use. In March, following news reports that Microsoft was looking into purchasing power from the Energy Forge project, Chevron said that it had entered into an “exclusivity agreement” with Microsoft and Engine 1, an investment fund involved in the project. In January, Microsoft pledged to be a “good neighbor” in communities where it is building data centers, including promising to pay a “full and fair share of local property taxes.” The potential tax abatement for the project comes as big tech companies are battling rising public fury about data centers and electricity costs. It also comes as lawmakers start to cast a more critical eye on ballooning incentives for data centers, some of which have cost some states — including Texas — $1 billion or more each year. Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GoogleDataCenter.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="Two cooling towers have a Google logo on them and a Texas and US flag draped over another" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GoogleDataCenter.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1600w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GoogleDataCenter.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GoogleDataCenter.jpg?resize=330%2C186&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GoogleDataCenter.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GoogleDataCenter.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GoogleDataCenter.jpg?resize=160%2C90&quality=75&strip=all 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GoogleDataCenter.jpg?resize=150%2C84&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="900" width="1600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> Texas is giving data centers more than $1 billion in tax breaks each year Paul Cobler, The Texas Tribune Chevron spokesperson Paula Beasley told Wired in an email that all tax incentives under consideration for the Energy Forge project “apply solely to the power generation facility” to “support new energy infrastructure, and do not extend to any future data center facilities that may be served.” Beasley also said that there is currently “no definitive agreement” with Microsoft for this power plant. “Microsoft is in discussions with Chevron,” Rima Alaily, Microsoft’s corporate vice president and general counsel for infrastructure, said in a statement to Wired. “No commercial terms have been finalized, and there is no definitive agreement at this time.” Chevron is applying for a tax abatement for the project under Texas’ Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) Act. Passed in 2023, the program is intended to incentivize businesses to build large infrastructure projects in the state in exchange for guarantees to bring jobs and revenue. Accepted projects get a cap set on the amount of taxable property they can be charged through local school district taxes. The Pecos-Barstow-Toyah school board approved the project’s application at a meeting in February. The state pays for the tax abatement, so the school district itself does not lose out on any money. According to documents from the state, the Chevron project could net more than $227 million in savings for the company over a 10-year period, depending on the eventual size of the project and investment. The application says the plant will provide “over 25 permanent, full-time jobs,” though there’s no requirement to do so because it’s considered an electricity generation facility. Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-491791844.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="The downtown of Murphy, a rural community in the mountains of North Carolina, is glimpsed through the trees." class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-491791844.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 7360w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-491791844.jpg?resize=1200%2C801&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-491791844.jpg?resize=330%2C220&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-491791844.jpg?resize=768%2C513&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-491791844.jpg?resize=1536%2C1025&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-491791844.jpg?resize=2048%2C1367&quality=75&strip=all 2048w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-491791844.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="4912" width="7360" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> First crypto, now data centers: How tech is reshaping this North Carolina community Katie Myers The planned gas plant won’t connect to the grid, instead providing “electricity for direct consumption by a data center,” according to its application. So-called behind-the-meter gas plants have become increasingly popular for data center developers facing yearslong waits to connect to the grid. According to data from nonprofit Global Energy Monitor, the U.S. at the start of the year had nearly 100 gigawatts of gas-fired power in the development pipeline solely to power data centers, with several more massive gas projects announced since the data was published. A Wired analysis of less than a dozen power plants being constructed to explicitly serve data centers, including the Chevron project, found that these power plants are permitted to emit more greenhouse gases than many small- to medium-size countries. The Energy Forge plant alone could emit more than 11.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent annually — more than the country of Jamaica emitted in 2024. Beasley told Wired that the plant “is being designed to comply with applicable environmental regulations, including all applicable federal and state air quality standards.” West Texas is a major fossil fuel production hub, which has helped it emerge as a hot spot for both data centers and behind-the-meter gas development. However, Energy Forge’s JETI application notes that the site is one of six across the U.S. under consideration. Without tax incentives, the other sites would be “more attractive locations” to build a gas plant, according to its application, and “Texas would lose the opportunity to attract billions of dollars in new tax revenues.” This type of claim on applications for tax abatements is pretty routine, says Nathan Jensen, a government professor at the University of Texas at Austin. An earlier version of the JETI program, originally created to draw more manufacturing jobs to Texas, handed out incentives to businesses with little oversight, often giving millions in tax breaks to companies already planning on building in the state. While the JETI program significantly curbs the problems and excesses of the old program, Jensen says that the guardrails for a project like Chevron’s are still relatively low. The JETI tax incentive isn’t the only tax break the power plant could receive. According to county documents, the Energy Forge project could also be eligible for a local incentive that exempts all or part of a property’s value from taxes for up to a decade, under another part of the Texas tax code. Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/margiepadilla-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/margiepadilla-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 2500w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/margiepadilla-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/margiepadilla-1.jpg?resize=330%2C186&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/margiepadilla-1.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/margiepadilla-1.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/margiepadilla-1.jpg?resize=2048%2C1152&quality=75&strip=all 2048w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/margiepadilla-1.jpg?resize=160%2C90&quality=75&strip=all 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/margiepadilla-1.jpg?resize=150%2C84&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="1406" width="2500" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> California will soon have more than 300 data centers. Where will they get their water? Steven Rodas, Inside Climate News Developers have taken advantage of other tax abatements across the U.S. A report released in April from Good Jobs First, a corporate watchdog group, found that at least three states — including Texas — are losing more than $1 billion in revenue each year from data center sales tax abatements. A bipartisan group of politicians in Texas, including Republican lieutenant governor Dan Patrick, have expressed mounting concern about the impact tax breaks for data centers are having on state coffers. In March, Patrick ordered the legislature to “study the cost and consequences” of the sales tax exemption — which the state projects could balloon to $3 billion by 2029 — and “make recommendations providing safeguards to ensure that Texans benefit from data center investment.” In January, Microsoft rolled out a series of pledges on its website, promising to “add to the tax base” in communities where it operates. “We won’t ask local municipalities to reduce their local property tax rates when we buy land or propose a data center presence,” the pledge states. The company did not respond to questions about whether this pledge extends to projects owned by other entities that the company intends to use to power its data centers, or to data center developers that may be building data centers in which Microsoft will be a tenant. Greg LeRoy, the executive director of Good Jobs First, notes that Microsoft’s pledge doesn’t mention tax abatements (the amount of value a person or business’s property is assessed at), which are different from tax rates (the number used to calculate the amount of taxes owed for the property). “If they don’t say, ‘We will refuse tax abatements,’ then they’ve got their fingers crossed behind their back,” LeRoy says of Microsoft’s pledge. Tax breaks given to projects like data centers are difficult to track across states: The Good Jobs First report found that 14 states don’t disclose how much revenue they might be losing on data center abatements. As behind-the-meter power becomes an increasingly popular option for data center developers, though it’s not clear how widespread the practice of asking for tax abatements for these specific facilities is. There are no other behind-the-meter power plants currently being funded by the Texas JETI program or in the application pipeline. Data centers are specifically excluded from being eligible for the JETI program. Jane Flegal, a senior fellow at the Searchlight Institute and a climate official under President Biden, is the author of a recent report that suggests ways to use the AI boom to incentivize tech companies to help pay for needed upgrades to the grid. Tax abatements, the report says, should be restructured to make sure that data center builders connect power to the grid, making behind-the-meter gas options less attractive. Flegal also advocates for permitting reform to make sure that more clean energy can get added to the grid as quickly as possible. “We should fix our tax code so it’s much more progressive, and we should tax the shit out of these people and use federal money to plan and build a grid that benefits all of us,” she says. “Alas, that is not where we are.” This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Chevron wants a school district tax break for a data center power plant on May 17, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Molly Taft, WIRED.
Palestine on patrol – how a flag-dress caused a writers’ stir for justice
COMMENTARY: By Kathrine Ross What a blast at the Auckland Writers Festival today, I had tickets for Marika and I to attend Palestinian writer Tareq Baconi’s talk and decided to dress up and wear my Palestine-flag-dress. Little did I know the stir it would cause — the Aotea Centre security literally chased me through the
COMMENTARY: By Kathrine Ross What a blast at the Auckland Writers Festival today, I had tickets for Marika and I to attend Palestinian writer Tareq Baconi’s talk and decided to dress up and wear my Palestine-flag-dress. Little did I know the stir it would cause — the Aotea Centre security literally chased me through the building and around the auditorium where Tareq would be talking, saying I had to “remove my flag”. But it was attached to my dress, so it was not “removeable” — unless I took my dress off (which was an option if things got too heated). READ MORE: Israel becomes world’s most disliked country, global survey finds – Middle East Monitor Israel to spend $730m on propaganda as global image collapses over Gaza genocide Improvements in Pacific media freedom, but a shameful silence on Gaza ‘death trap’ Other Gaza and war on Iran reports <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-127963 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Fire-in-Every-Direction-KR-300wide.png" alt=""Flag meets Fire". " width="300" height="389" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Fire-in-Every-Direction-KR-300wide.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Fire-in-Every-Direction-KR-300wide-231x300.png 231w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> “Flag meets Fire”. Image: Kathrine Ross So I kept on walking, staying in view of all the people who were witnessing and sticking up for me. Yes, members of the public were challenging those security guards chasing me and questioning them about why I couldn’t keep my flag-dress as it was. This went on until I managed to disappear into the rows of seats — what a great example of humanity that was. Later, after the talk, when I met gorgeous Tareq for the book signing, he also praised the dress and the action to dodge the security guards (there was only one witness who totally disappointed by their lack of support and sourness). But the rest of humanity was totally behind this unplanned and unintentional statement. Kathrine Ross is an activist with the Palestine Soidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA). This commentary was first published on her Facebook page. Palestinian scholar Tareq Baconi’s moving memoir, Fire In Every Direction, as described in the festival storybook: “At once a love story, a coming-of-age tale and diasporic narrative, it takes us from the Middle East to London, and from 1948 to the present, as Baconi traces generations of his family’s displacement through war, as well as his own political and queer awakening in the face of other forms of exile and expression.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-127964 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Free-Palestine-with-Tareq-Baconi-KR-680tall.png" alt=""Palestine will be free" . . . PSNA activist Kathrine Ross makes a statement with Palestinian author Tareq Baconi" width="680" height="877" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Free-Palestine-with-Tareq-Baconi-KR-680tall.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Free-Palestine-with-Tareq-Baconi-KR-680tall-233x300.png 233w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Free-Palestine-with-Tareq-Baconi-KR-680tall-326x420.png 326w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> “Palestine will be free” . . . PSNA activist Kathrine Ross makes a statement with Palestinian author Tareq Baconi at the Auckland Writers Festival. Image: Kathrine Ross This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by Pacific Media Watch.
Int. Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
‘They’re wiping us out’ – church leader warns about young West Papuans killed in escalating conflict
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A West Papuan church leader has warned that ongoing killings of young Papuans allegedly by Indonesian security forces have the hallmark of genocide. Since the start of the year there has been no stop to violent incidents in the Indonesian-ruled Papua region known internationally as West Papua. Indonesia’s
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A West Papuan church leader has warned that ongoing killings of young Papuans allegedly by Indonesian security forces have the hallmark of genocide. Since the start of the year there has been no stop to violent incidents in the Indonesian-ruled Papua region known internationally as West Papua. Indonesia’s government blames recent violence on armed, pro-independence West Papuan fighters. READ MORE: Papuan women ‘living in fear’ condemn military violence Other West Papua reports However, human rights defenders say the violence is escalating, while the young, indigenous people of West Papua are in the firing line. High school students shot Last week a 17-year old Papuan girl was killed as a result of a military operation reportedly targeting civilian mining camps in Tembagapura. Also last week, several Papuan high school students were shot when tensions flared at a graduation parade through the town of Kobakma in Papua’s central highlands. Police had objected to them wearing the Papuan Morning Star flag — a symbol of the independence movement. Last month, Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said it was investigating a shooting incident that left up to 12 Papuan civilians dead as the result of an Indonesian military operation in Kembru district. According to human rights researchers, a 5-year old girl and a 77-year old woman were among the dead. Komnas HAM’s commissioner for monitoring and investigation Saurlin Siagian said it was difficult to ascertain the exact ages of each victim in the Kembru incident, but he told RNZ Pacific that two pregnant women were among those killed. Earlier in April, five people, including a 12-year old boy, were shot dead in Dogiyai regency in an alleged retaliatory attack by police after a policeman was killed. The list goes on, stretching back to January — dozens of people reported dead, dozens more people injured and many more people displaced from their villages. Pastor Jimi Koirewa, the head of the human rights and justice department of the GIDI Evangelical Church of Indonesia in Papua . . . “The children are being killed, the women are being killed. That is a part of genocide.” Image: RNZ Pacific Disturbing pattern The head of the human rights and justice department of the GIDI Evangelical Church of Indonesia in Papua, Pastor Jimi Koirewa, said there was a disturbing pattern to these attacks. “The children are being killed, the women are being killed. That is a part of genocide, because the women will give birth to babies, the kids, the children, the youth, they are the future of Papua, and killing them is part of a genocide. “They’re wiping us out. There will be no more people there standing in Papua. The old people will die gradually,” Pastor Koirewa told RNZ Pacific. Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry declined to comment on the pastor’s claim. It said it could not discuss recent incidents while investigations are underway. However, the Human Rights Minister in Jakarta, Natalius Pigai, has admitted the situation is a serious concern. After a violent year in 2025 — when Komnas HAM recorded 97 violent incidents and armed conflicts in Papua — the situation has deteriorated further this year. Pigai noted that the country’s independent human rights body has identified 26 cases of violence in Papua from January to April 2026. “Based on records from both domestic and international sources, there is an escalation. In just under a month, no fewer than 20 people died in 5 incidents in Dogiyai, Yahukimo, Puncak Papua, Timika, and Tembagapura,” Pigai said in a statement on Sunday. Natalius Pigai, a former chair of Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), a West Papuan who has been the target of racial slurs . . . seeking a peaceful solution. Image: Tekdeeps/RNZ Pacific Pigai claimed the government was continuing to seek a peaceful solution that can address the root causes of the conflict. For the past several years Indonesian security forces in Papua have been engaged in conflict with “armed criminal groups”, their label for Papuan pro-independence fighters within the wider OPM Free West Papua Movement. Lack of justice: ‘Shooting the people’ Pastor Koirewa said the Indonesian military forces had been amassing in large numbers in recent months. “There’s so much military deployment coming into Papua and the reason, they said, is they want to get rid of the rebels, OPM, that’s what they call rebels. They said that they want to get rid of the OPM so that development can happen, the government can come and build the land,” Koirewa said. “But when they come in, they are not shooting the combatant, the OPM, but they are shooting the people. So I see that the it’s escalating.” Koirewa said police rarely investigated the violent incidents thoroughly, leaving Papuan communities mistrustful of the justice system. The GIDI church has raised its concern with the upsurge in violence. “Our church, we have no influence in Jakarta at all. We already made some communications through the formal way to Jakarta, yeah, through the our Parliament, let them know what is happening. “But Jakarta is not responding. They don’t care. “They just come in with their programme, and they don’t care at all. That’s why the church now is looking for aid outside of our country,” Koirewa said, adding that the aid they sought is for internally displaced people and Papuan schools. Papuans in poverty Jakarta has been promoting major agri-business projects in Papua provinces — including oil palm, rice and sugarcane — as well as large scale mining and forestry projects in the interior. The government argues that increasing development and economic activity raises the standard of living for everyone in Papua. “Which part of Papua are they developing? Why are the Papuans still the poorest among the whole Indonesian population. They have been for with us about more than 60 years. And why are the Papuans still the Papuans still in poverty?” Koirewa said. “We see that there has been no output at all. They will only bring more non-Papuans in to take over our land.” A camp of displaced West Papuans in Papua’s highlands. Image: RNZ Pacific Koirewa said changing demographics due to Indonesian transmigration added to the sense that Papuans were being out numbered in their homeland and facing a bleak future. “There’s no hope,” he said. The displacement of Papuan villagers is also a factor, with the latest Internally Displaced Persons update from Human Rights Monitor group saying more than 107,000 West Papuans remain displaced by armed conflict. This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Close vote sees Niue’s Dalton Tagelagi back in as prime minister
By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor Niue’s assembly has re-elected Dalton Tagelagi as its prime minister, continuing his leadership for the next three years. Tagelagi, 57, has led Niue since 2020 and was nominated alongside Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui during the leadership vote. The 19th Niue Assembly was officially sworn in on Wednesday local time. READ
By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor Niue’s assembly has re-elected Dalton Tagelagi as its prime minister, continuing his leadership for the next three years. Tagelagi, 57, has led Niue since 2020 and was nominated alongside Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui during the leadership vote. The 19th Niue Assembly was officially sworn in on Wednesday local time. READ MORE: Other Niue reports Billy Talagi was sworn in as the new Speaker of Parliament. Pacific Media News reported Tagelagi won a narrow 11-9 leadership vote, and the result confirms continuity in leadership but exposes a deeply divided Parliament with MPs split almost evenly between the two leadership nominees. Niue’s 20-member Assembly is elected every three years, made up of 14 village representatives and six common roll MPs elected across the country. Addressing parliament after his re-election, Tagelagi called for unity in the new term. ‘Challenging times’ “These are challenging times when we go into elections because we have different perspectives and understanding that sometimes this might divide our families and affect our relationships with one another,” he said. “I ask you to come together in this Assembly, that we make decisions for the good of the people. I humbly ask you all to work together as we move forward with the 19th Legislative Assembly and government.” PMN’s Inangaro Vaka’afi told RNZ Pacific Waves Tagelagi had been adamant he wanted another term. “And also try and complete some of the work that they have already started,” she said. She said there is a mixture of reaction to how Tagelagi had led the country so far. “I think it’s not necessarily individual MPs, but you remember that they are representing their village constituency or a common role seat. “So perhaps there has been some sentiment on the ground in terms of situation on the island, or where the economy is at the moment, also just knowing what’s happening, because some of the work that’s been done doesn’t necessarily get filtered down to grassroots. ‘Finest of margins’ “But I know that there are people on island who are quite satisfied and happy with the direction that they’ve been going, and then there are others who are not, especially when you think about — he represents a village constituency for Alofi South, which is the largest voting population on the island, and he managed to secure his seat by the finest of margins, by one vote. “And if one were to sit back and just analyse that there’s obviously, I guess, requests or some want from within his constituency to pay a bit more attention to the village. And understandably, because you are the leader of the country, you do have to put the interest of a whole nation in front of mind. “But don’t forget that you also were placed in that position by your village constituency.” The new 19th Legislative Assembly also saw a record seven women elected, making up 35 percent of the House — the highest in the nation’s history. The six common roll seats went to Robert BJ Rex, Moira Enetama, Richmond Lisimoni-Togahai, Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui, Sonya Talagi and Kahealani Hekau, alongside village representatives, several of whom were elected unopposed. Robert BJ Rex, who topped the common roll vote with 560 ballots, told BCN he was honoured by the outcome. “My life is based in community. Not only my community, but just my presence around any group or any community, I have tried to be there and get involved and support in any way I can.” This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
I swear I won’t do anything for Muslims, says Bengal BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari
Days after the BJP formed its first government in West Bengal under chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, a speech by BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari has sparked outrage online. “In these 74... The post I swear I won’t do anything for Muslims, says Bengal BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari appeared first on Alt News.
Days after the BJP formed its first government in West Bengal under chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, a speech by BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari has sparked outrage online. “In these 74 years of elections in West Bengal, I am most likely the first MLA from this constituency who has not received a single vote from a Muslim. Therefore, only those who have voted for me have the right to me. We didn’t go to ask for votes from those who did not vote for us,” Tiwari says in the viral video. “Today, in front of Baba Bholenath, I swear, I will not do one job for them (Muslims) in the next five years. Will not issue any certificate for them. I am saying this live. I do not care about what anyone else says or thinks. Modiji says, ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas’. I agree with him; he is my leader. But during this election, he added another phrase to it: ‘Sabka Hisaab’. That is how it should be, right?” he adds. ALSO READ: Day 1 of regime change in Bengal: Bulldozer in New Market, biriyani shop told to shift, Muslim names erased Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas”, he adds, “But during this election, he added another phrase to it: ‘Sabka Hisaab’.” Tiwari won the Kashipur-Belgachia seat in the recently held assembly elections by defeating Trinamool Congress heavyweight Atin Ghosh by 1,651 votes. In both 2016 and 2021 assembly polls, Trinamool Congress had won the seat with huge margins. कोलकाता: “भोलेनाथ की कसम, एक काम मुसलमानों के लिए नहीं करूंगा” ◆ काशीपुर बेलगाछिया सीट से BJP विधायक रितेश तिवारी अपने विवादित बयान के लिए सुर्खियों में आए ◆ तिवारी ने कहा, “मैं लोकतांत्रित तरीके से सबका हिसाब करूंगा” BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari | #Bengal | Bengal pic.twitter.com/ndnzhRaGMy — News24 (@news24tvchannel) May 14, 2026 ‘Trinamool Sought to Establish Islamic Rule’ We found the full live recording of Ritesh Tiwari’s speech on his official Facebook page, where it was posted on May 11. The 20-minute video of the programme held at Tiwari’s constituency begins with supporters garlanding Tiwari before he takes the stage. He starts speaking at the 4:48-minute mark. The viral portion of the speech begins at the 15:44-minute mark. As Tiwari says he would not work for Muslims, the crowd can be heard applauding loudly. During the speech, Tiwari invokes the ‘Love Jihad’ conspiracy theory and says women should be taught from childhood not to enter Muslim households. He also claims that those carrying Trinamool Congress flags wanted to establish “Islamic rule” in West Bengal. At the 8:35-minute mark, Tiwari says: “This was not just another election. This state has been witnessing elections since 1952. And today’s youth who are aged 18 and above… You should start learning about how demography is changing. What is demographic change? It’s not just economic or gender disparity. Economic disparity can be addressed in the coming times. And gender discrimination, which used to exist, society has awakened and abolished that; the number of female foeticides has gone down. I am a father of two daughters and have no regret about not having a son… We have received independence from gender discrimination. But now it’s time to move our focus to demographic change, the way our daughters and sisters are being lured into relationships with false promises of love, with the help of technology, the way these jihadis are attacking, the women need to become more aware about these things.” He continues: “We need to identify the main issue, that no woman should go into a Muslim’s house, but people don’t say that, as they are scared. And we can’t stop this from happening, hence, now is the time to talk about it openly, to start building confidence and to make them aware of these issues since childhood… (Before elections) when I used to see those people sitting there with Trinamool’s flags, they weren’t some special people, they weren’t descendants of Anwar Khan, or had any royal lineage, they were people like you and me. And who were they standing with? They were waving flags of those who want to bring Islamic rule to West Bengal… In the past five years, the people who tortured you while waving Trinamool flags, it is now time to identify them all and boycott them socially.” ALSO READ: ‘Gaza-like lesson’ to ‘everyone’s CM’ — Suvendu’s inclusive pitch contrasts sharply with past communal rhetoric Ex-VP Hamid Ansari Slams Tiwari’s Comments In an interview with Karan Thapar on The Wire, former vice-president Hamid Ansari criticized Tiwari’s comments and described them as unconstitutional and against the ethos of democracy. Ansari said, “If that is the prevailing ideology of the winning party then it’s a very unfortunate comment on the system we pretend to operate… we pretend to be a democracy, we pretend to swear by a Constitution and the first page of that Constitution, which is the Preamble, has certain basic principles spelt out there. Does this statement of his conform to any of those principles?” “If you swear by the Constitution which we swear by, if you swear by the Preamble which we swear by, then you cannot draw a distinction between one citizen and another citizen.” He added, “Are you going to ignore 15% of your population? Is that what you mean by fraternity? Is that what you mean by the last word of the Preamble?… Can a political party seriously say that it does not care for 15% of its population? It cannot do that … the Muslims are the biggest minority in the country and together with other minorities, Christians, Sikhs and others, they constitute 20% of the population of India which means one-fifth of the population. You cannot operate democracy on that basis (of ignoring them). You can operate any other form of governance but not a democracy.” The post I swear I won’t do anything for Muslims, says Bengal BJP MLA Ritesh Tiwari appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Oishani Bhattacharya.
Meet the Lebanese rescuers being targeted by Israel
"The Nakba was not a single passing event"
The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 16, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 16, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 16, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
Ralph speaks to Dr. Marina Nord of the V-Dem Institute about this year's V-Dem Democracy Report and how the Trump Administration is dismantling democracy in the US. Then, Ralph welcomes Dr. Ralph Estes to discuss corporations' shady accounting practice...
Ralph speaks to Dr. Marina Nord of the V-Dem Institute about this year's V-Dem Democracy Report and how the Trump Administration is dismantling democracy in the US. Then, Ralph welcomes Dr. Ralph Estes to discuss corporations' shady accounting practices. Dr. Marina Nord is a postdoctoral research fellow at the V-Dem Institute. She is co-author of V-Dem’s Democracy Report 2026: “Unraveling The Democratic Era?”. Only six countries during the 21st century have registered larger one-year drops on the aggregate Liberal Democracy Index [than the United States] —and all of them are coups. If you look at the last almost 250 years (so for which we have data going back to 1789), there were only thirty-five instances of more rapid dismantling of democracy—almost all of them were either military coups or international interventions. Dr. Marina Nord We do not measure [Trump’s] words. We measure how institutions function de facto. And what is a lot more important for us is not only what he says, but how other institutions (checks and balances) function to constrain him. And one of the things that we see, for example, is that Congress is not constraining him in any way. And this is very, very serious, because if you have a President who violates the law, who violates the Constitution, you should have the judiciary who stand up, the Supreme Court who should stand up to protect the Constitution. You should have the Congress who is not allowed to [abdicate power to the executive]. And this is something that is very, very concerning, a lot more concerning than what Trump is saying. What I find a lot more concerning is that there are no checks and balances to constrain him. Dr. Marina Nord When looking at the data, we also looked at the countries who managed to stop autocrats similar to Trump. And we tried to analyze which factors contributed to stopping democratic backsliding and turning it around. So research shows that, of course, there is no single recipe, but there are several combinations of factors that may help. One of them is: use whatever institutional safeguards that you still have in the United States…The second thing that we know that still works quite well is robust societal action. And by that we mean not only demonstrations similar to the No Kings protests, but sustained protests, mass pro-democracy protests…And then, of course, one of the things that still should be a possibility to turn things around is the midterm elections. Dr. Marina Nord Dr. Ralph Estes is Emeritus professor of business and accounting at American University in Washington, D.C., co-founder and vice president of The Center for Advancement of Public Policy, and Emeritus Trustee at the Institute for Policy Studies. He is the author of several books, including Tyranny of the Bottom Line: Why Corporations Make Good People Do Bad Things and Fight the Corpocracy, Take Back Democracy: A Mad As Hell Guide for the 99%. The public has no way of fairly evaluating a corporation except through the press, what it sees in corporate press releases and their claims about being, for example, environmentally responsible and very favorable to customers. And there are no measures on that. Corporation doesn’t give us any. Corporation produces a set of financial statements. You won’t know how relevant those financial statements are to you and me. They’re not relevant at all… In terms of social performance, there’s nothing in the corporate reports, the formal reports, that is reliable. Again, you’re stuck with what the corporation claims or what the politicians who are lobbying for contributions will admit corporations do… But this is a problem. If the corporation doesn’t report it, if the citizens don’t know about it, the politicians can try to do something, but they have to start from scratch. Dr. Ralph Estes News 5/15/26 * We begin this week with a bombshell story from Latin America. This week, El País broke what they are calling “Hondurasgate,” an expose centering on leaked audio recordings of conversations between President Donald Trump, Argentinian President Javier Milei and former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández – who was convicted and sentenced to 45 years in prison on drug trafficking charges in the U.S. but pardoned by Trump last year. In these leaked recordings, the three current and former heads of state discuss the creation of a “channel of spreading fake news with the intention of misinforming and destabilizing” Leftist governments in the region, including those of Gustavo Petro in Colombia and Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico. According to this report, the leaks reveal the involvement of another world leader – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – in the decision to pardon Hernández. El País writes the leaks prove the pardoning of Hernández was “not a gesture of clemency, but the down payment of a broader agreement.” Expect more damning information to come out as more recordings are unearthed, even if so far the American media has largely blacked out this stunning story. * At the same time the Trump administration is seeking to subtly undermine governments like Mexico’s, they are executing considerably less subtle covert operations there as well. On March 28th, an explosion blew up the car of alleged narco Francisco Beltran just outside Mexico City. CNN now reports that, while “Mexican authorities have maintained extreme secrecy around the explosion,” multiple sources confirm that this was “a targeted assassination,” carried out by the CIA. Not only that, this operation is reportedly just one of several assassinations carried out by the CIA against rank-and-file cartel members on foreign soil which began last year. Troublingly, CNN notes these operations could be illegal under Mexican law, which prohibits foreign agents from participating in law enforcement operations without the express permission of the federal government. Omar Garcia Harfuch, Mexico’s Secretary of Security released a statement indicating that the Mexican government has not granted any such permission, writing “The Government of Mexico categorically rejects any version that seeks to normalize, justify, or suggest the existence of lethal, covert, or unilateral operations by foreign agencies on national territory.” * One ironic aspect of the joint right-wing destabilization effort and CIA covert operations campaign both currently underway in Mexico is the fact that the Sheinbaum government has affected a stunning reduction in murders throughout the country. According to Mexico Solidarity Media, the daily average of intentional homicides has been reduced by 40% between the beginning of the Sheinbaum administration in October 2024 and April 30, 2026, with that last month hitting the lowest level in over a decade – comparable in fact to the United States. We can only hope that Sheinbaum is able to stay the course and continue to drive down the murder rate while simultaneously avoiding the destabilization campaigns being waged against her government. * In Colombia, another state targeted in the Hondurasgate plot, Ivan Cepeda continues to consolidate progressive forces in that country ahead of the presidential election, aiming for a first round victory. This week, Luis Gilberto Murillo, a center-left presidential candidate, dropped out and endorsed Cepeda. While Murillo never rose very high in the polls, he has held high positions in the Colombian government – including Minister of Environment and governor of the department of Choco as well as Colombia’s ambassador to the United States and later foreign minister under Gustavo Petro. Colombia One notes that this is the second such withdrawal in recent weeks, with Senator Clara López doing the same, indicating a serious intention among the progressive forces in Colombia to stave off a second round of the presidential election, which could see the right-wing consolidate against Cepeda in a way they have thus far been unable to do ahead of the first round. * Meanwhile, El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, a standard bearer for the Latin American Right and a close ally of President Trump, is mired in a new scandal involving his dealings with the MS-13 gang and his ensuing attempts to silence the press. According to PBS, last month the Salvadoran outlet El Faro, in conjunction with PBS FRONTLINE released a documentary titled The Deal: Trump, Bukele & the Gangs of El Salvador, which “uncovered evidence that Bukele’s administration had offered privileges to gang leaders in prison in exchange for a reduction in homicides and voter support in territories the gangs controlled.” Now, in retaliation for publishing this story, Bukele has reportedly “frozen the personal assets of two of [El Faro’s] shareholders,” including editor-in-chief Carlos Dada who said in a press conference that “These are not fiscal measures…They are political measures trying to silence us.” This article notes that the facts presented in The Deal are particularly damning to Bukele, because of his public claims that he “would never negotiate with gangs” because it would grant them legitimacy. Just as it is ironic that the Trump administration is seeking to destabilize the Mexican government while it dramatically reduces murders, so too is it ironic that it is seeking to bolster the Bukele regime even as it carries out secretive deals with the very gangs the U.S. claims to be fighting. * In a wholly different part of the world, the centrist Labour Party government of Keir Starmer in the UK is teetering on the brink of collapse. Starmer’s popularity has been declining precipitously ever since he entered office, but the crisis of confidence from within his own party accelerated after the disastrous results of the May 7th local elections. Now, according to CNN, over 100 members of his party in Parliament are calling for him to resign, but the only way to trigger a leadership challenge is for at least 81 Labour MPs to coalesce around a single challenger – and as yet, none have crossed that threshold. Starmer himself has refused to stand down, challenging any other claimants to come forward. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has come the closest to openly challenging Starmer, even resigning his post in the government but stopping short of formally announcing a leadership challenge, the BBC reports. For now, Starmer continues to cling to power but each day could be his last at No. 10. * Turning to American foreign policy news, this week the Senate voted down yet another War Powers Resolution on Iran – the seventh such attempt since the war began in late February. What is notable about this resolution is that it won the support of the most GOP Senators yet – Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – yet still failed by a margin of 50-49 because Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania crossed party lines to vote against the resolution. This from CBS. Even with Fetterman’s disloyalty, this vote is significant for the number of Republicans who broke ranks, perhaps indicating a growing unease with the war and particularly its impact on the price of consumer goods, beginning with gasoline and cascading from there. * In more congressional news, Southern states are scrambling to act in the wake of the Callais decision. In South Carolina and Mississippi, state officials have rejected attempts to call special sessions to redraw congressional maps before this year’s midterms. But, NPR reports Alabama is moving towards a new map that, like Louisiana, will likely include just one single largely Black, Democratic-leaning congressional district. However, even though some of these states are holding off on redrawing these districts today, it does not mean those districts will be safe tomorrow. And in Tennessee, where the legislature is moving ahead with a plan to do away with the state’s majority Black 9th congressional district in a special session – resulting in a revolt by Democrats in the legislature – the Republicans are retaliating by stripping all Democrats from their standing committee seats for “creating disorder,” per StateAffairs.com. Expect this process to get more contentious, and plain uglier, as it grinds ahead. * Next, a story in Fortune highlights the cost of data center construction. According to this story, the nearly 50,000 permanent residents of the California ski resort town of Lake Tahoe – which regularly attracts 25 to 28 million visitors annually – will soon be disconnected from their traditional power source, NV Energy. NV supplies the power to Liberty Utilities, which services the area directly, and NV has informed Liberty that it will stop providing power after May 2027. That power will instead be redirected to data centers, leaving Liberty Utilities less than a year to find another power source. This story notes that “Northern Nevada has become one of the fastest-growing data-center corridors in the country,” with Google, Apple, and Microsoft all having built or planning to build facilities in the area. Gallingly, just last fall NV Energy’s director of business development said the company was “eager to serve the new industrial load” but that it would not “impact [their] existing customer base.” This is a troubling preview of what may come as data center expansion continues unchecked. * Finally, in a story that proves once again that corporate greed knows no limits, the Lever is out with a new report on a class-action lawsuit by consumers against “private equity-backed bowling giant Bowlero.” According to the Lever, the suit accuses Bowlero of executing a “‘multi-year anticompetitive scheme to consolidate bowling centers,’ which has led to skyrocketing bowling prices, deteriorating lanes, and ‘the veritable destruction of the decades-old pastime of bowling in America.’” The numbers back up this narrative. Bowlero, which had just six locations in 2012, has exploded to 350 today. The company is said to control roughly 35 percent of U.S. bowling revenue – and 95% of all lanes in some markets – as well as acquiring the Professional Bowling Association itself. As with any monopoly, once it had cornered the market Bowlero proceeded to jack up prices, even using AI to do so algorithmically. In a sense, this is a story we have all heard too many times to be surprised, but we can still be shocked by the base greed of corporate executives, even in something as seemingly anodyne as the bowling industry. This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven’t Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe This content originally appeared on Ralph Nader Radio Hour and was authored by Ralph Nader.
Congressman’s own truckers have been involved in deadly crashes as he vows to make roads safer
How Trump’s New Counterterrorism Strategy Puts You at Risk #politics #trump
Wild blueberry farms across Maine suffer as climate change upends growing seasons
Like lobster rolls, wild blueberries are iconic in Maine. But heat and drought have set the plants back to a point where many small farmers are struggling against reduced yields and increased costs for mulch and irrigation.
Last summer, the wild blueberry fields at Crystal Spring Farm turned red too soon. Severe drought had gripped most of the state of Maine. At his farm near the town of Brunswick, Seth Kroeck knew the leaves were changing color prematurely because the blueberry plants were stressed. Berries shriveled before they could ripen. The farm’s 2025 harvest was almost a total loss. “We got about 7 percent of our expected harvest,” Kroeck, 55, said. Standing in his blueberry fields in April, he pointed out the new growth, still only a few inches high, and commented that last year’s yield was “a lot of raking with not a lot to show for it.” This was just the latest in a series of devastating weather for Crystal Spring Farm’s 72 acres of wild blueberries. “In the last seven years, we’ve lost the crop three times, almost completely,” he said. As the climate changes, these losses are getting more common for wild blueberry farmers. And, experts say, the solutions are pricey. Maine’s quintessential fruit Wild blueberries are an iconic food in Maine, like lobster rolls or whoopie pies. But they aren’t the same as the fruits sold by the pint in a grocery store. Wild blueberries are smaller and have a stronger flavor than their cultivated counterparts. They’re typically packed and frozen rather than sold fresh. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6249-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6249-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6249-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6249-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6249-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=683&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6249-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6249-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6249-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="" data-caption="Wild blueberry bushes grow on sandy and gravelly soil in Maine, which can be difficult to irrigate. " data-credit="Sydney Cromwell / Inside Climate News"/> Wild blueberry bushes grow on sandy and gravelly soil in Maine, which can be difficult to irrigate. Sydney Cromwell / Inside Climate News Maine’s farms contribute almost the entirety of the United States’ commercially sold wild blueberries. The industry harvested nearly 88 million pounds of fruit in 2023, bringing $361 million in revenue to the state, according to the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine. “It’s really something that’s a backbone industry to the state and a part of the state’s character,” Kroeck said. A father of two, Kroeck grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and said gardening with a friend “spiraled” into an agricultural career. In college, he studied printmaking — a degree that he jokes is useful every day on the farm. One of the few native North American fruits, wild blueberry patches have often existed in the same spot for longer than the farms that now harvest them. “The blueberry plants have been there for millennia, and they have been cared for by generations of farmers before me, and then the Indigenous community [before that],” said Kroeck, who also grows row crops and pasturage. An individual bush only produces fruit every other year, so farmers typically harvest about half their acreage in any given year. Also called “lowbush” blueberries, the plants grow in dense mats on sandy, gravelly, or otherwise low-nutrient soil, primarily in eastern Canada and New England. “Blueberry soil is not nutrient-rich. Nothing else wants to grow there … but wild blueberries love it,” said Rachel Schattman, a professor of sustainable agriculture and leader of the Agroecology Lab at the University of Maine. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/WildBlueberry.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="" data-caption="Wild blueberries are smaller and have a stronger flavor compared to cultivated blueberries. " data-credit="Courtesy of Rachel Schattman"/> Wild blueberries are smaller and have a stronger flavor compared to cultivated blueberries. Courtesy of Rachel Schattman Schattman, 43, started working on vegetable and dairy farms in high school and continued farm work through the completion of her master’s degree. She owned a commercial vegetable farm for 10 years while pursuing her interest in agricultural research and earning a doctorate at the University of Vermont. Schattman said the financial challenges of running a small farm eventually led her to pursue research full time. She worked for the USDA on climate change’s interactions with agriculture before moving to Maine in 2020, where she met the wild blueberry for the first time. “It holds a really special place in the culture of Maine,” she said. Each patch has a variety of genetics rather than a monoculture. You can see — and taste — the plant’s diversity once it begins producing berries, Kroeck said. “If you were to fly over our blueberry field while they’re fruiting, you’d see a lot of subtly different shades of blue and black,” he said. Despite their crop’s hardy nature, wild blueberry farms are struggling to deal with recent extremes of temperature and precipitation. It’s got the entire industry worried. “It would be a real cultural loss to have fewer wild blueberry farms and fewer berries available in the future,” said Lily Calderwood, a wild blueberry specialist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension whose research focuses on disease and pest management. She grew up surrounded by agriculture in Massachusetts and became fascinated with it on a trip to a Cape Cod cranberry bog as an undergraduate student. Calderwood, 39, worked at the nonprofit Earthwatch Institute, then earned her doctorate at the University of Vermont and later worked at the Cornell Cooperative Extension before coming to Maine eight years ago. Stressed seasons Maine’s wild blueberry populations are caught in a climate hotspot, driven partially by rapid warming in the Gulf of Maine, Schattman said. According to 2021 research, the state’s blueberry barrens are warming faster than the rest of the state, especially in locations closer to the coast. In response, the berries are ripening sooner, and farmers can miss part of their harvest if they’re caught unaware. Calderwood said the crop was traditionally harvested in early or mid-August, but now most fruits are ready by late July. High heat also makes the harvest window shorter, she said, meaning farmers need additional labor and equipment to finish in time. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=2048 2048w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PassiveHeat2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="" data-caption="Scientists at the Wyman’s Research Center in Maine study the effect of rising heat and changing rainfall on wild blueberries, one of the state’s signature crops. " data-credit="Courtesy of Rachel Schattman"/> Scientists at the Wyman’s Research Center in Maine study the effect of rising heat and changing rainfall on wild blueberries, one of the state’s signature crops. Courtesy of Rachel Schattman Kroeck said he was unprepared for the early ripening in some years, and harvesting late meant lower yields and worse fruit quality. “As farmers, we’re very much attached to the season, and you kind of get into your ideas of when things need to be done,” he said. Now, he has to spend more time observing conditions directly in the fields. Farmers can’t rely on traditional knowledge — some of it passed down through families of growers — to plan their schedules anymore, Calderwood said. The farmers she works with have “absolutely no doubt” that climate change is already affecting their livelihoods. Kroeck worked on farms in California, Massachusetts, and New York before he and his wife, a Massachusetts native, decided they liked the Maine farming community and moved to Crystal Spring Farm 22 years ago. In the last decade, he said, the unpredictable weather has far exceeded the typical year-to-year variation he was used to. “If you look at the research, it’s pretty hard to deny that we’re living in a period of changing weather,” he said. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ResearchFarm1-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ResearchFarm1-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ResearchFarm1-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ResearchFarm1-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ResearchFarm1-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=683&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ResearchFarm1-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ResearchFarm1-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ResearchFarm1-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="" data-caption="Scientists at the Wyman’s Research Center in Maine study the effect of rising heat and changing rainfall on wild blueberries, one of the state’s signature crops. " data-credit="Courtesy of Rachel Schattman"/> Scientists at the Wyman’s Research Center in Maine study the effect of rising heat and changing rainfall on wild blueberries, one of the state’s signature crops. Courtesy of Rachel Schattman Kroeck serves on the boards of the Organic Farmers Association and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, both organizations that address climate change’s impact on agriculture. Maine experienced severe droughts in 2020, 2022, and 2025, plus one of its wettest years on record in 2023. Too-wet conditions encourage disease and unchecked weeds in blueberry fields. Droughts, on the other hand, reduce the number of flowers that form and shrivel the fruit. Farms also contend with surprise frosts in late spring, which can kill flower buds right as they start to form, Kroeck said. Occasionally, warm autumns have caused the bushes to flower again just before winter, sapping energy and reducing their berry production the following year. Wild blueberries are dependent on steady levels of moisture throughout the growing season, Calderwood said. That’s getting less and less common. “The plant needs more water to keep the berries on the stems. And with less water and higher temperatures, they will shrivel and drop to the ground before a farmer can get to them,” Calderwood said. And since wild blueberries only fruit every other year, Kroeck said extreme weather can have effects on multiple seasons. “A drought year is obviously going to affect the size of our fruit, but it’s also going to affect that other half that’s still in the vegetation state,” he said. “If they’re stressed from water and from temperature, they’re not going to grow as robust as they would, and the fruit they put out is not going to be as big as it could.” A cycle of loss Last year, Maine saw a wet spring followed by hot, dry conditions that started in June. The drought intensified in August and lasted through the rest of the year and into 2026. Calderwood called it “a classic example of climate whiplash.” The Maine Wild Blueberry Commission estimates the industry lost $30 million in 2025. “It was devastating for many farms in that region,” said Calderwood, who is also on her town’s conservation commission. Many blueberry farmers reported the loss of a third to half of their yields. “There were reports of many, many acres of blueberries going unharvested because the berries had basically dehydrated on the bush,” Schattman said. Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mango.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="illustration of a mango" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mango.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 2000w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mango.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mango.jpg?resize=330%2C186&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mango.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mango.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mango.jpg?resize=160%2C90&quality=75&strip=all 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mango.jpg?resize=150%2C84&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="1125" width="2000" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> Mango farms where? Climate change is scrambling where the world’s food is grown. Ayurella Horn-Muller Kroeck’s 2025 losses were higher than most because his farm sits on exceptionally sandy soil, which doesn’t hold water well. He has crop insurance, which covers some of the loss, but that insurance is partly based on the value of previous years’ yields. “If you have losses in close succession, then your average harvest goes down,” he said. Kroeck said he has applied for state and federal relief, but that money would be applied to his 2023 losses from a late freeze, which have been on the farm’s books for nearly three years. The state’s wild blueberry industry has declined in recent years, both in the number of farms and the total acreage of commercial fields, according to Wild Blueberry Commission data, and financial stress is one of the reasons for that. Even Wyman’s, one of the state’s largest producers, plans to sell nearly 800 acres of blueberry fields this year. “There have been some pretty significant hits to wild blueberries in Maine in general,” Kroeck said. Researchers like Schattman and Calderwood are trying to prevent climate change from being another reason that farms go under. Modeling blueberries’ future At the Wyman’s Research Center farm in Old Town, Schattman and the climate adaptation research team are trying to simulate potential futures for Maine’s wild blueberries. Researchers are halfway through a four-year study of how temperature, rainfall, and irrigation affect wild blueberries’ growing conditions — from soil health to pollination — and fruit yields. They’re also testing different climate scenarios for the end of the century to see how the plants handle extremely wet, extremely dry, or variable conditions. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6225-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6225-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6225-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6225-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6225-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=683&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6225-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6225-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6225-1024x683-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="" data-caption="At Crystal Spring Farm, Seth Kroeck is adding irrigation lines to part of his blueberry fields this year to protect them from drought. " data-credit="Sydney Cromwell / Inside Climate News"/> At Crystal Spring Farm, Seth Kroeck is adding irrigation lines to part of his blueberry fields this year to protect them from drought. Sydney Cromwell / Inside Climate News The wild blueberries are grown under a range of conditions: Some have irrigation systems, some have mulch to slow moisture evaporation, and others have neither. Some bushes are grown in isolation, while others are clustered together to see how community and genetic diversity affect the plant’s resilience. Schattman said open-top plexiglass structures passively trap heat around some of the blueberry plants on the farm, while others have heating coils to simulate heightened temperatures. “We’re collecting a massive amount of data,” she said. Irrigation and, to a lesser extent, mulching are already showing promise in reducing drought impact. Mulch barriers reduce soil temperatures, lower the risk of disease, and slow weed growth, but they aren’t enough to avert the effects of a severe drought like 2025. “[Mulching] is a really healthy thing to do for our fields,” Calderwood said. “It can be used as a buffer for drought, but it cannot replace irrigation.” Irrigation can be difficult with wild blueberries, since their preferred soil often isn’t great for building wells or installing pipes, Schattman said. Most small growers don’t have irrigation systems, leaving them vulnerable when droughts overlap with the growing season. “Obviously, it’s useless to install an irrigation system if you don’t have a reliable water source,” she said. When the climate adaptation study is complete, Schattman said she hopes to have data that can create a roadmap for farmers to keep their crops healthy in future conditions. Calderwood’s work at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension overlaps with Schattman’s research, but much of it is hands-on in the fields of local blueberry farms. This summer, Calderwood will be working with a large producer, Brodis Blueberries, to see how plants develop in irrigated and non-irrigated portions of their fields, and whether they show signs of stress during dry periods. It’s key to figure out when the timing of irrigation can make the most impact, Calderwood said, especially for farms that can’t cover their entire acreage or may only be able to afford irrigation once or twice. “Every time the pump runs, it is an expense,” she said. ‘It’s always expensive’ Affordability is the roadblock that wild blueberry farmers keep running into when it comes to climate change, both Schattman and Calderwood said. From buying equipment to drilling wells to trucking in loads of mulch, major one-time investments are difficult for small farms with thin profit margins. “Every farm needs irrigation, but they just simply can’t afford it,” Calderwood said. Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-1246998948.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-1246998948.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1600w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-1246998948.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-1246998948.jpg?resize=330%2C220&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-1246998948.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-1246998948.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-1246998948.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="1067" width="1600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> America’s avocado obsession is destroying Mexico’s forests. Is there a fix? Ayurella Horn-Muller At Crystal Spring Farm, Kroeck is trying to apply the University of Maine’s recommendations. He has brought in over 100,000 square feet of mulch, which covers less than half of his 72 acres of blueberries. The Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS, which is part of the USDA, subsidized some of the costs, which range between $5,000 and $10,000 each year. “Farmers would not do that if NRCS was not paying for it,” Calderwood said. Kroeck also bought irrigation equipment, which arrived in December. It cost $90,000 for the equipment and the new well, which will cover about a quarter of his blueberry fields. “It’s always expensive, and it’s always a gigantic cash flow game,” he said. Additional state and federal investment, from funding to technical expertise, could also fast-track irrigation for small farms, Calderwood said. But in the past year, funding has trended in the opposite direction. The NRCS has lost funding and about a quarter of its staffing — more than 2,000 people — due to USDA budget cuts since the beginning of the current Trump administration. Maine also lost $15.5 million, intended for a pilot program that would have brought water management practices to between 25 and 45 wild blueberry farms, due to federal grant clawbacks. The state Drought Relief Fund has given grants for farmers to create water management plans, drill wells, or build storage ponds, but only two dozen of those were funded last year across all types of agriculture. Meanwhile, profitability of wild blueberries is being squeezed by low market prices and competition from cultivated blueberry producers, Schattman said. Costs of fertilizer, labor, and equipment have risen too. Farms are earning about 50 percent less per pound of wild blueberries than they were a few years ago, according to the Wild Blueberry Commission. Kroeck said he knows many small farms are having a hard time getting their products into large grocery store chains. “The pricing is not very good as far as what those large chains are willing to pay,” he said. “The market for wild blueberries has been flat or has been decreasing somewhat, and that’s also very worrisome.” Kroeck is part of a group of farmers looking into selling more berries fresh instead of frozen, a move that would open up a new, potentially more profitable customer base but would also require new equipment and additional labor. Wild blueberry farmers need new markets or higher prices to afford expensive long-term projects, Schattman said. “That’s much more difficult when you’re struggling to reach your sales goals,” Kroeck said. In the absence of financial and technical support, Calderwood said it’s likely that only the largest berry producers will be able to protect themselves from a warming future. “It’s a puzzle to figure irrigation out, and it needs federal funding,” she said. With or without irrigation, Calderwood said she doesn’t think climate change will spell doom for a plant as resilient as the wild blueberry. “Every year, there will be blueberries to harvest,” she said. But whether there will be enough berries to keep farms in business is another matter. “I hope that we’re going to be able to make the pivots that we need to make to save the crop,” Kroeck said. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Wild blueberry farms across Maine suffer as climate change upends growing seasons on May 16, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Sydney Cromwell, Inside Climate News.
Eyewitness Video Shows Drone Strike On Apartment Block In Russia
Tamil Nadu anti-Hindi protests from March falsely linked to TVK assuming power
A 46-second video is being widely shared on social media with the claim that anti-Hindi protests have erupted across Tamil Nadu after the newly formed TVK government assumed office. The... The post Tamil Nadu anti-Hindi protests from March falsely linked to TVK assuming power appeared first on Alt News.
A 46-second video is being widely shared on social media with the claim that anti-Hindi protests have erupted across Tamil Nadu after the newly formed TVK government assumed office. The viral clip shows a group of people smearing black paint over Hindi signboards at railway stations. X user Bhakt Prahlad posted the video on May 10, 2026. The post has garnered over 270,000 views and 1500 reshares. The bio of the user says “Lawyer | Sanatani | Proud Hindu”. (Archive) Anti-Hindi Hate started in TamilNadu after Swearing-in of TVK Vijay. This is the only thing they knew & call BJP a communal party pic.twitter.com/zPE8rxW5go — Bhakt Prahlad (@RakeshKishore_l) May 10, 2026 The video was also shared by X user Anuradha Mishra with a similar claim on May 12, 2026. (Archive) Hindi text defaced at Chennai railway station after Vijay’s oath!!! I pity Tamil Nadu, state which is a Sanatan hater, hindu hater and a hindi hater pic.twitter.com/FTOaBH0N3A — Anuradha Mishra (Modi’s Family) (@Anuradham1805) May 12, 2026 The same video was posted by several social media users around May 10-12 echoing similar claims. They either called it ‘fresh protests’ or linked it directly to TVK and Joseph Vijay. Click to view slideshow. Fact Check We extracted a few keyframes from the viral video and performed a reverse image search on them. This led us to a Threads post by Sun News dated March 12, 2026, which carried the same footage. According to the post, activists protesting against the alleged imposition of Hindi had smeared black paint over Hindi lettering on signboards at railway stations such as Chromepet and Nungambakkam in Chennai. The on-screen Tamil text in the video, translated using Google Lens, read: “In Chennai Rail Station, Hindi Letters Removed”. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-315469" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-16-105325-1024x970.jpg" alt="" width="810" height="767" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-16-105325-1024x970.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-16-105325-300x284.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-16-105325-768x728.jpg 768w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-16-105325.jpg 1257w" sizes="(max-width: 810px) 100vw, 810px" /> The visuals match exactly with the video which is now going viral. Local media outlet Unseen Chennai posted the same video on Facebook and on Instagram, on the same date — March 12. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Unseen Chennai (@unseenchennai) Anti-Hindi protests erupted in Chennai and adjoining in March following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tamil Nadu on March 11, 2026. The demonstrations were spearheaded by an organization called 17 May Movement and its leader, Thirumurugan Gandhi. To sum up, the viral video of Hindi letters on railway station boards being defaced is more than two-month old. It is being falsely linked to TVK coming to power in Tamil Nadu. The post Tamil Nadu anti-Hindi protests from March falsely linked to TVK assuming power appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Anindya Hazra.
A Night Under Russian Bombs In Dobropillya | Ukraine Front Line Update
New chapter for Hapi Isles – Matthew Wale takes the helm as PM
PROFILE: By Campion Ohasio The Solomon Islands has entered a new political era. In a historic morning at Parliament House yesterday, Matthew Cooper Wale was elected as the nation’s new Prime Minister. His victory marks the culmination of a dramatic week in Honiara and signals a potential shift in both the country’s internal management and
PROFILE: By Campion Ohasio The Solomon Islands has entered a new political era. In a historic morning at Parliament House yesterday, Matthew Cooper Wale was elected as the nation’s new Prime Minister. His victory marks the culmination of a dramatic week in Honiara and signals a potential shift in both the country’s internal management and its place on the global stage. Wale, the longtime Leader of the Opposition, defeated former Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka in a secret ballot, winning 26 votes to 22. READ MORE: China’s growing grip on the fragile Solomon Islands media sector Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele ousted after just over two years in power Other Solomon islands reports The result was greeted with cheers from supporters gathered outside Parliament, Honiara and around the country, as the 57-year-old leader prepared to take the oath of office before Governor-General Sir David Tiva Kapu. The road to victory The path to the premiership was anything but simple. Just eight days ago, the previous government led by Jeremiah Manele collapsed after losing a motion of no-confidence. For years, Matthew Wale has been the most prominent voice of dissent in the Solomon Islands, often coming close to the top job but never quite reaching it. After falling short in the 2019 and 2024 leadership votes, many viewed Wale as the perpetual runner-up. However, today’s result proves that his persistence and his message of “breaking the shackles” finally resonated with a majority of his fellow Members of Parliament. In his first address following the announcement, Prime Minister-elect Wale was humble but realistic. “We take the government at a difficult time,” Wale told the press. “Change is coming. These changes are necessary, and they may be painful. I ask that you join your government in putting your hand to the plough.” Profile of a leader Who is Matthew Wale? Born on 13 June 1968, in Ambu Village, Malaita Province, Matthew Cooper Wale is a seasoned veteran of the Pacific political landscape. Before entering the world of policy and Parliament, he was an accountant — a background that many believe informs his disciplined approach to the national budget. Wale first entered Parliament in 2008 during a byelection for the Aoke/Langalanga constituency. He quickly made a name for himself as a fiery and articulate speaker. Unlike many politicians who stay in the background, Wale has never been afraid of a verbal scrap on the floor of Parliament. Over the past 18 years, he has served in various roles, but he is best known for leading the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) and acting as the primary check on the power of former Prime Ministers Manasseh Sogavare and Jeremiah Manele. In late 2024, he was even awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for his long service to the public and political life of the country, a testament to his standing both at home and within the Commonwealth. A vision of ‘economic liberation’ What does a Matthew Wale government look like? Throughout his career, Wale has championed a few core beliefs that he calls his “pillars of change”, “anti-corruption and “elite capture”. Wale’s most frequent target is what he calls “elite capture” — the idea that a small group of powerful people in Honiara control most of the country’s wealth. He has promised to dismantle these systems to ensure resources reach the rural provinces. Education and health: A vocal advocate for the “ordinary family”, Wale has consistently pushed for increased funding for hospitals and free, high-quality education. He believes that a nation cannot flourish if its citizens are not healthy and skilled. Political stability: To end the cycle of “grasshopping” (where MPs switch parties for personal gain), Wale has signaled he will seek to strengthen laws that keep political parties disciplined and accountable. The ‘China question’ and global relations: Perhaps the most watched aspect of Wale’s new leadership will be his foreign policy. For years, Wale was a staunch critic of the 2022 security pact signed with China, warning that it could “jeopardise” relationships with traditional partners like Australia and the United States. Tone has evolved However, as a pragmatist, Wale’s tone has evolved. While he is expected to rebalance the nation’s relationships — likely warming ties with Canberra and Washington — he has acknowledged that Chinese infrastructure is now a reality in the Solomon Islands. He is unlikely to tear up existing agreements overnight, but observers expect a more “balanced” approach that prioritises Solomon Islands’ sovereignty above all else. As the sun sets on the nation today, the atmosphere is one of cautious optimism. The challenges facing Prime Minister Wale are immense: a struggling economy, high cost of living, and a deeply divided Parliament. But for today, the man who spent nearly two decades in the wings finally has the chance to lead. Matthew Wale’s message to the people is clear: the road ahead will be hard, but the destination — a fairer, more transparent Solomon Islands — is worth the effort. The “Hapi Isles” are watching, and the world is, too. Campion Ohasio is a Solomon Islands-based self-taught visual artist, graphic designer, and prominent political cartoonist known for capturing South Pacific social issues. He gained early recognition in the 1990s for his work on Uni Tavur at the University of Papua New Guinea and later as a editor for the Solomons Voice. This commentary is republished with the author’s permission. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Somersaulting Voters: Stopping Rabid Gerrymandering
By Ralph Nader May 15, 2026 “Gerrymandering” is the historic term for politicians picking their voters by manipulating Congressional and state electoral districts. Redistricting usually happens every ten years. It is fair to say that most voters don’t ...
By Ralph Nader May 15, 2026 “Gerrymandering” is the historic term for politicians picking their voters by manipulating Congressional and state electoral districts. Redistricting usually happens every ten years. It is fair to say that most voters don’t want politicians rigging the system to help one party win elections. Both the Republican and Democratic parties… This content originally appeared on Ralph Nader and was authored by matthew.
‘Seismic shift’ toward Aussie orbit likely under Solomon Islands’ new prime minister
Charley Piringi and Eugene Whong for RFA
Experts say that Matthew Wale will be ‘more moderate’ and ‘less enthusiastic’ about China than his predecessors.
HONIARA — The Solomon Islands’ choice of longtime opposition leader Matthew Wale as its new prime minister could be a sign that a diplomatic shift away from Beijing and toward Canberra is likely, experts told Radio Free Asia. Wale was sworn in on Friday after winning 26 out of 50 votes in parliament, edging out the 22 votes for Foreign Minister Peter Shanel Agovaka, and drawing to a conclusion the political chaos surrounding Wale’s predecessor Jeremiah Manele, who last week was ousted in a no-confidence vote. “Fellow Solomon Islanders, change is coming,” Wale said during his inaugural address. The new prime minister takes office amid mounting geopolitical tension across the Indo-Pacific, and he will likely take a more moderate stance toward engagement with China, unlike the two prime ministers before him, Graeme Smith, associate professor at the Department of Pacific Affairs at The Australian National University, told RFA. “I think it’s a pretty seismic shift in the diplomatic sense. It does bring the Solomons more back into kind of an Australian, and to a lesser extent U.S. orbit,” he said. “It’s certainly a development that will have, I think, pleased people in Canberra.” Wale has been opposition leader for roughly seven years, dating back to the beginning of the fourth term of Manasseh Sogavare, during which it could be said that Honiara decisively entered into Beijing’s sphere of influence – in 2019 the Solomon Islands stopped recognizing Taiwan in favor of China, and in 2022 entered into a secretive controversial security pact with Beijing, which, at the time, Wale criticized as undermining the security of the country. Chinese police personnel on the grounds of the parliament building during the prime ministerial election in Honiara, Solomon Islands, May 15, 2026. (Charley Piringi/RFA) When Sogavare’s term was up in 2024, parliament chose his foreign minister Manele to succeed him, in what was largely seen as an extension of Sogavare’s pro-China stances. Smith said that the switch to Wale likely would not vastly change relations with China, but “but he certainly will be much more moderate in his language around Beijing and certainly far less enthusiastic than his two predecessors in both Manele and Sogavare.” Wale during his speech described the current global climate as a difficult period shaped by geopolitical rivalry and economic uncertainty, pressures he said the Solomon Islands cannot escape. “We take government at a difficult time given what is happening throughout the world,” Wale said. “We are not immune from the impacts of these geopolitical events.” He pledged that his government would pursue disciplined and prudent management to guide the country through the challenges ahead. Wale’s election reflects a broader struggle over the future foreign policy direction of the Solomon Islands, international relations scholar Alexander L. Vuving of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, told RFA. “For the people of Solomon Islands, the key concerns are economic and political issues within the country,” Vuving said. “But for the wider Indo-Pacific, the most important question is how the next government positions itself among the major powers.” Wale vs. Agovaka The political contest was widely interpreted as a choice between maintaining close ties with Beijing or recalibrating relations toward Australia and Western allies. Agovaka, who had served as foreign minister under Manele but then led an exodus of lawmakers from the ruling coalition in defecting to the opposition in March, was widely estimated to have been the favorite to succeed him, especially after Manele endorsed him after his ouster. A vote for Agovaka therefore would have been seen as a vote to stay the course in maintaining close China ties, whereas a vote for Wale would favor a more cautious approach to China’s expanding security footprint while favoring stronger engagement with Australia and the United States, Vuving said. “The election can turn Solomon Islands in a very different direction about how it positions itself among the major powers,” he said, adding that Wale’s victory was likely to be welcomed in Western capitals as evidence that China’s growing influence in the Pacific can still be challenged. Solomon Islands' new prime minister Matthew Wale, left, is sworn in by Governor-General David Kapu at the Government House in Honiara, Solomon Islands, May 15, 2026. (Solomon Islands government via AFP) Smith acknowledged that Wale’s victory came as a surprise. “He’s been opposition leader for four seven years now, and I think a lot of people assumed that he’d missed his chance and this day would never come,” he said. “I think a lot of people I assumed it would be Agovaka that would get the job given that he was sort of the lead critic of Manele, and in many ways sort of was the main person pushing the no confidence motion.” Smith said that Agovaka’s world view was much more pro-China, and that among parliament there is more support for China over Taiwan, pointing out that Wale’s coalition might not be very stable, as he won the “bare minimum” of 26 votes in a 50 seat parliament. “Wale will be looking to get a few more numbers across and that may mean that he has to give a signal that he’s a bit more pro-China,” he said. “So he will not be stridently anti-China but he’ll certainly be less pro than Agovaka would have been. Challenges ahead Holding on to power could be difficult with such a slim majority, Joseph Foukona, a history professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, who hails from the Solomon Islands, told RFA. “It’s going to be a challenge for him in terms of trying to continue to maintain the numbers on his side,”Foukona said. “If there’s any political disagreement or tensions within his group, we might see people moving or changing sides again.” Smith said Wale will be under pressure to publicly release the details of the 2022 security agreement with Beijing, which he had been a huge critic of and which until now has been confidential, save for a leaked draft of the deal prior to its finalization. Wale might then push to revise parts of it, he said. Foukona said that Wale would likely be more transparent than his predecessors, not just about the 2022 security pact, but also in other arenas. “Often when he speaks he sort of emphasizes transparency and accountability and this is one area that we must see some changes in terms of going forward,” Foukona said of Wale. He said Wale’s government might put more resources into the country’s anti-corruption commission, and disclose details about international agreements signed by the previous government. Strategic importance Located in the South Pacific and relatively close to Australia, the Solomon Islands occupies maritime space considered important for regional security and trade routes. During World War II, the islands were a major battleground. Today, competition has shifted toward infrastructure, technology, and access to resources. One major area of rivalry involves undersea telecommunications cables, which carry nearly all global internet traffic. “The undersea cables have become critical infrastructure,” Vuving said. “China is trying to gain influence in that business, and that has triggered pushback from the United States and particularly Australia.” In this September 15, 2012 photo, a woman makes dishes out of palm leaves at Bonegi Beach in Honiara. (Daniel Munoz/Reuters) The cables are part of a larger telecommunications infrastructure competition in the islands. Chinese technology giant Huawei recently completed the installation of more than 160 telecommunications towers across the country under a Chinese-funded project. Vuving also said that the Solomons controls a vast Exclusive Economic Zone rich in fisheries and seabed minerals, including resources increasingly important for renewable energy technologies and artificial intelligence industries, but which the country lacks to capacity to exploit. “Countries like the Solomon Islands need major powers with the capability to mine those minerals, and China is looking for that,” said Vuving, who said that China’s expansion in the Pacific has been gradual. He described China’s approach as “salami slicing.” “You don’t see a big shift overnight,” Vuving explained. “Every day, they expand a little bit. After years, they gain huge influence and can lock people into those relationships.” He said that regardless of who is in charge of the Solomons, the country would still have to balance influence by foreign powers. “You’re small, and you’re playing the game with giants,” he said.“In that way, you’re very vulnerable.” Vuving argued that the Solomon Islands must diversify its international partnerships to avoid overdependence on any single country, strengthening ties not only with China, Australia, and the United States, but also with partners such as Japan, India, France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He said the long-term challenge for the Solomon Islands will be maintaining political independence while navigating relationships with competing global powers. “The fate of great power competition may not be decided entirely in Solomon Islands,” Vuving said. “But for a small Pacific nation, it is extraordinary to find itself at the centre of such an important geopolitical contest.” Eugene Whong reported from Washington. Edited by Charlie Dharapak. This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by Charley Piringi and Eugene Whong for RFA.
CPJ, press freedom organizations renew call for justice on 9th anniversary of journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas’ murder
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) joined family members, journalists and other press freedom organizations in Culiacán, the capital of the northern Mexican state of Sinaloa, to renew a call for justice in the murder of journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas. Valdez, a correspondent for Mexico City newspaper La Jornada and co-founder of weekly investigative magazine Ríodoce,...
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) joined family members, journalists and other press freedom organizations in Culiacán, the capital of the northern Mexican state of Sinaloa, to renew a call for justice in the murder of journalist Javier Valdez Cárdenas. Valdez, a correspondent for Mexico City newspaper La Jornada and co-founder of weekly investigative magazine Ríodoce, was killed May 15, 2017, in Culiacán. He was a 2011 International Press Freedom Award recipient. According to a federal investigation, his murder was ordered by Dámaso López Serrano, an alleged high-ranking operative of the Sinaloa Cartel criminal organization. While two of the triggermen were captured and received prison sentences, López Serrano surrendered to U.S. authorities several months after the killing. López Serrano, also known as ‘El Mini Lic,’ is serving a five-year jail sentence for drug trafficking in the United States. He was previously reported to have cooperated as a witness in other criminal cases. In Culiacán, Valdez’s widow Griselda Triana, Ríodoce co-founder Ismael Bojorquez, CPJ, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), ARTICLE 19 and Mexican press freedom organization Propuesta Cívica urged Mexican authorities to redouble their efforts to have Dámaso López Serrano extradited to Mexico so he can stand trial for his role in Valdez’s killing. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.
When a Liquified Natural Gas Facility Moves In
Why have immigration agents detained this citizen three times?
Palestinians in Gaza are facing a unique financial crisis.
Palestinians in Gaza are facing a unique financial crisis. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Hassan Herzallah.
Journalist kettled while covering protest near NYC synagogue
Independent journalist Talia Ben-Ora was penned in a police kettle while covering a protest in New York, New York, on May 5, 2026.The protest was taking place near a synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that was holding an event to promote real est...
Independent journalist Talia Ben-Ora was penned in a police kettle while covering a protest in New York, New York, on May 5, 2026. The protest was taking place near a synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that was holding an event to promote real estate sales in Israel and Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, the latter of which are widely believed to violate international law. The New York City Police Department formed a buffer zone around the synagogue, prohibiting access to the block it was located on and directing pro-Palestinian and a smaller group of pro-Israel protesters, as well as press, onto surrounding avenues, according to news reports and journalists who spoke to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker. Ben-Ora told the Tracker that at one point, NYPD officers suddenly barricaded a sidewalk on nearby Third Avenue, pushing metal barricades into protesters and using chemical irritants to prevent them from accessing an area that had previously been open. Members of the press were standing behind the officers, documenting the police actions. Then, “NYPD flooded that space and closed us in, not allowing press to move away, resulting in a strange press-only kettle,” Ben-Ora said. In a video Ben-Ora posted on Bluesky, uniformed police and plainclothes public information officers can be seen telling press to back up from the protest, then surrounding them with metal barricades, penning them in. Situation deteriorated as protest marched from Lex/68 back to their original protest location. Press kettled as NYPD pushed in on protestors, other press. We are now stuck beside the SRG line. Unclear if any arrests. — talia jane (@taliajane.bsky.social) 2026-05-06T00:46:31.945Z “They prevented us from leaving by not moving from in front of where the barricades were up against the wall, ignoring us, as other cops were pushing into the crowd,” Ben-Ora said, adding, “I didn’t get the sense that we would be arrested, just that they were freezing our movement in any direction, including away from where they were fighting protesters.” Ben-Ora said that members of the press were allowed to leave the kettle after a few minutes, but were “still separated by a police line and barricades from the protest.” The NYPD did not respond to a request for comment. This content originally appeared on U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database and was authored by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database.
Israel threatens NYT with defamation suit
Fiji’s journalists celebrate belated World Press Freedom Day – but warn of threats
Fijian Media Association Fiji’s media workers finally got to celebrate their World Press Freedom Day this week 11 days late — on Thursday, May 14. The event was pushed back from its traditional May 3 global date — which fell on a Sunday this year — to accommodate a packed news cycle dominated by parliamentary
Fijian Media Association Fiji’s media workers finally got to celebrate their World Press Freedom Day this week 11 days late — on Thursday, May 14. The event was pushed back from its traditional May 3 global date — which fell on a Sunday this year — to accommodate a packed news cycle dominated by parliamentary sittings and the Coca-Cola Games. The events across Suva and Savusavu highlighted both the grit of local journalists and the very real threats still hovering over the industry. READ MORE: Other World Press Freedom Day reports In the capital Suva, the day started before sunrise. At 5am journalists met at the Bowling Club for a morning walk down to My Suva Park and back, catching up over a networking breakfast. Later that evening, the focus shifted to Gordon House at the British High Commissioner’s Residence for a reception backed by BBC Media Action, Women in Media Fiji, and the Fijian Media Association (FMA). Permanent Secretary for Information Eseta Nadakuitavuki described reporters as “real warriors” who required courage and “a very thick skin”. While she praised the media’s fearless role in holding the powerful accountable, she also pointed to modern digital threats. She warned that while AI brought innovation, the rise of fake news and deepfakes meant ethical journalism and rigorous fact-checking were more crucial than ever. BBC Media Action mentorship The night also carved out time to recognise seven local journalists who completed a BBC Media Action content production mentorship under seasoned journalist Elenoa Baselala. Up North, a different kind of gathering took place at the Hot Springs Hotel in Savusavu. FMA general secretary Stanley Simpson joined journalists for a dinner supported by the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS). The Savusavu event was an acknowledgment of the mental toll carried by reporters outside the capital who usually “survive on roti and bean between assignments”. Remembering the heavy weight these journalists carry, it was highlighted that in 2017, Northern reporters had to cover two back-to-back tragedies involving children: a fatal house fire, followed just two days later by a father drowning his three kids and himself. With no debrief rooms or on-call counselors in the North, these reporters — including Peceli, Shratika, Naca, Feroz, Sampras, Nitesh, and Josese — just had to file their heartbreaking stories and keep going. There was plenty of reason to celebrate on a national level, as Fiji recently jumped 16 spots to 24th globally on the 2026 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index — a massive climb from 84th place in 2023. However, the FMA made it clear that Fiji’s press freedom gains remained fragile. Navigating complexities The industry is still navigating the complexities of Fiji’s hard-drugs crisis and dealing with disquieting developments like journalists being summoned to testify in court. There is also ongoing friction with government officials; recently, Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya criticised the media in Parliament over “mal-information” regarding a broken lift at the CWM Hospital, subsequently calling for an end to “doorstop-style” interviews. The FMA firmly defended the practice as a necessary tool for holding officials accountable in a democracy. Despite the challenges, the media fraternity is already looking ahead to its next major gathering. In September, the focus will return to Fiji as it hosts the region for the Pacific Media Summit. Republished from the Fijian Media Association FB page. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by Pacific Media Watch.
Ghada Karmi: How Gaza shattered the myth of coexistence
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Palestinians inspect the extensive damage at buildings following an Israeli air strike on the Al-Shati Camp violating the current ceasefire agreement in western Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine on May 09, 2026. Photo by Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343526" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/ghada-karmi-how-gaza-shattered-the-myth-of-coexistence/gettyimages-2274677768" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="GettyImages-2274677768" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Palestinians inspect the extensive damage at buildings following an Israeli air strike on the Al-Shati Camp violating the current ceasefire agreement in western Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine on May 09, 2026. Photo by Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> “For the first time in my life I'm contemplating the physical end of Palestine. That's something I never, ever thought would happen.”
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="Palestinians inspect the extensive damage at buildings following an Israeli air strike on the Al-Shati Camp violating the current ceasefire agreement in western Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine on May 09, 2026. Photo by Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343526" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/ghada-karmi-how-gaza-shattered-the-myth-of-coexistence/gettyimages-2274677768" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1707" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="GettyImages-2274677768" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" Palestinians inspect the extensive damage at buildings following an Israeli air strike on the Al-Shati Camp violating the current ceasefire agreement in western Gaza City, Gaza, Palestine on May 09, 2026. Photo by Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2274677768-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has shattered long-held hopes for Palestinian-Israeli coexistence and exposed the global systems sustaining the decades-long destruction of Palestine and the dispossession of Palestinians. In this special edition of the The Marc Steiner Show, commemorating the solemn anniversary of the Nakba, Marc speaks with world-renowned author and physician Ghada Karmi about the destruction of Gaza, the collapse of faith in a political solution, and the deepening despair felt by many Palestinians and Israelis alike today. Guests: Ghada Karmi was born in Jerusalem. Forced from her home during the Nakba, she later trained as a Doctor of Medicine at Bristol University. She established the first British-Palestinian medical charity in 1972 and was an Associate Fellow at the Royal Institute for International Affairs. She is the author of numerous books, including the best-selling memoir In Search of Fatima and One State: The Only Democratic Future for Palestine-Israel. Credits: Producer: Rosette Sewali Studio Production: Cameron Granadino Audio Post-Production: Stephen Frank Transcript The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible. Marc Steiner: Welcome to the Marc Steiner Show here on The Real News. I’m Marc Steiner. It’s great to have you all with us. As we begin our conversation, it’s important to remember that since October 7th, 2023, when the Gaza War began after the kidnapping of Israelis, 73,000 Palestinians have been killed. Over 20,000 of them being children and the land itself has been totally devastated. The program today is dedicated to the Nakhba. The day of remembrance when almost a million Palestinians were forced to flee from their homes, forced to flee for their lives, to live the rest of their lives as refugees. One of those people is my guest today, who was a child when she and her family were forced to flee their home during the Nakba. Dr. Ghada Karmi is a physician, author of numerous books about Palestine, Israel, and the state of Palestinians. Her latest work is a novel called Mojana, a novel of medieval Baghdad. And Ghada, welcome. It’s good to see you. Good to have you with us. Ghada Karmi: Thank you. I’m very glad to be here. Marc Steiner: So Ghada I… I’ve been covering Israel-Palestine for years now and been involved since I was a child since I’m Jewish, that family in Israel, Palestine, and then my Palestinian friends over the years as well. So it’s gigantic part of my life. And I’m just saying that to say I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a moment as dire as the one we face now, other than the Nakba itself, that we’re in that kind of moment. Could you describe just analytically where you think we are, what we’re facing when it comes to Israel-Palestine, this moment? Ghada Karmi: First of all, I agree with you. I don’t remember a time as bad as this and you say excluding the original Nakba, I would not exclude that because I think what I’m seeing now is worse than the Nakba that I lived through as a child in 1948. It is actually worse because always previously I never really believed in my heart of hearts that Israel would last for long, that it would survive and that we would not be looking at a situation where as in my case, because I was evicted with my family in 1948, I never believed that in my lifetime I would not be able to return to my homeland, which would be the same as saying that the state of Israel would have been terminated. That’s what I always lived by. And I think all Palestinians live with that hope in their hearts. However, I have to tell you, for the first time in all those years, I have begun to doubt that. Marc Steiner: As you were speaking, one of the things I thought about as a young man, a very young man, I was in the Zionist groups. The last one was in Karsha Mahatzeer with the Marxist Scionists who believed at that time in a binational state where everybody lived together in peace. I raised that only to ask you in all your life as a Palestinian woman, as a scholar, as an activist, is that dream gone completely where people you think could live together in that space, have we actually, because of the oppression and Palestinians, completely terminated that possibility? Ghada Karmi: Yes. I have advocated for what I would call one democratic state Marc Steiner: Solution Ghada Karmi: For many years. Be careful not by national, not by national. Marc Steiner: Got you. I understand. Ghada Karmi: Indeed, I don’t recognize that there is another nation in Palestine. I don’t. And for many, many years, my vision for the future has always been that we Palestinians would return home to Palestine. We and our children and grandchildren, we would return that, number one, as a matter of priority. And number two, the question of what is to be the future for the settler community because this is really what we Palestinians think of Jewish-Israelis. They’re settlers and children and grandchildren of settlers apart from the very small minority of originally indigenous, what we called Arab Jews. The rest came from outside. So what is to be done with them has been a secondary matter, but I’ve always believed that it would be only a right, humane and moral to invite them to stay if they would like to stay with us in a democratic state framework and enjoy equal rights and equal citizenship with us. If they’re not prepared to do that, then they must leave. And that is really my vision for the future. Now I have to tell you, as you point out so rightly, I’ve begun to doubt that because I look at the Israeli Jewish population since the Gaza genocide and we look at opinion polls and we see that a majority of ordinary Jewish people in Israel are in support of the genocide. They support the destruction of the Palestinian people. And I cannot, as an activist, ask my fellow Palestinians to contemplate embracing people like this and saying, “Why don’t we live together?” And we can forget the past, we can get on. It’s not true. It’s no longer true. Marc Steiner: When I think about this, I spent years working in the anti-apartheid struggle around South Africa and places like South Africa, like Israel, there’s two alternatives. A, is either the Jewish population in Israel, Israel-Palestine is wiped out or they’re forced to leave or there’s one democratic state. There’s a poster I have on my wall that I got in Cuba in 1968. It’s a map of all of Palestine, all of the Holy Land. And on one side is the Palestinian flag, the other’s an Israeli flag. And down the front it’s written one state, two people, three face. Do you think that’s an absurdity? Ghada Karmi: I don’t think it’s a possibility, no. Marc Steiner: Okay. Tell me why. Ghada Karmi: I don’t. You see the Jewish Israelis are settler colonialists. That’s what they are. So it’s like saying, if you rephrase it, you are saying the flag of the indigenous population, Palestinians and the flag of the settler colonists, Jewish Israelis. Now, how would you then imagine these two communities living together in an arrangement where the rights of the colonists are equal to the rights of the indigenous people? That is not the case. Now, South Africa is confusing. I respect your activism on South Africa and correctly so, but South Africa, you see the majority of the population were indigenous. Marc Steiner: Correct. Ghada Karmi: They were indigenous natives of the land. The minority of whites had come as settler colonists in the same way as Jewish Israelis, but much, much further back. Now, the disparity in numbers in the South African situation makes it a nonsense to say to this minority of whites, “You must have your own space and we have our own space.” It’s a nonsense. So of course it made sense. Here with Palestine, the problem is that it’s about half and off. So if you discount the exiles and the refugees who are living outside the area altogether, what you end up with is a 50% Jewish population, 50% Palestinian Arab population, but it doesn’t alter the basic nature of the Jewish population who are settler colonists and their descendants. Now, that’s not acceptable. I cannot, as a Palestinian, be asked to accept these people as equivalent to myself, especially given the suffering that they have caused for us Palestinians and especially in the last three years. I mean, it’s not moral, it’s not right, it’s not human to ask the victims, which is us, to take account of the victimizers and say, “Well, no, nevermind all is forgiven. Let’s all live together.” It can’t be done. Marc Steiner: I’m very curious. I’ve read a lot of your writing and work you’ve done over the years and looking forward to talking about your latest work another day. So then what do you see as a solution? How do we get to a place where the out of destruction of Palestinians is stopped, the murder of Palestinian people is ended and we come to a place of peace. How do you see that happening? Ghada Karmi: Well, good question. I can’t see it happening, not given the present circumstances. And by that I mean not just the murderous Israeli leadership and to a large extent, the population, not just that, but the support that Israel still enjoys after all this, you can wonder, be astonished at the continuing support that this genocidal state still enjoys without that support. Now there’s an argument. Now, if you could actually work on the support end that the Western states and particularly the United States, if you could work on them and get them to give up on Israel, then I think there’s a very great hope that the whole thing will come to an end. But given the current arrangement where you’ve got a powerful Israeli state supported, funded, shielded by the West, which is very powerful, this combination, you can’t expect a small people like the Palestinians, given their friends who are many in the world, even men, you cannot expect them to fight that kind of setup. It’s not possible. So your question is really a very good question. How do you do it? I wish I knew the answer. I know what it would take. I know the mechanisms which you’d have to remove in order to get that result. I wouldn’t know how you could persuade Western countries that are addicted, it seems to me. They are addicted to Israel or the idea of Israel. It’s quite remarkable. How can you get them to give up their addiction? I honestly don’t know. Marc Steiner: That’s really an interesting way to put it. I’ve never thought about it in the way you described it as an addiction. The piece I wrote that didn’t sit well with many of my fellow Jews was if there had never been a Holocaust, there would never be in Israel. Ghada Karmi: That’s true. Marc Steiner: And that is the reason that it exists. I mean, the United States refused to let Holocaust victims in. People went to Palestine took what wasn’t theirs and created a place for themselves. It’s refugees creating other refugees. I wrestle with this as well about how we end it. And I got exceedingly frustrated trying to find an answer. And I’ve had hundreds of interviews with people around this issue over the decades, but I’ve never felt that we’re at a moment that we are A, as I said, on a precipice of total disaster for both Israelis and Palestinians. And I don’t see how you stop that collision from happening. Ghada Karmi: Nor do I. Because if I go back to an earlier answer I gave you, Marc Steiner: Which Ghada Karmi: Is how do I feel at this moment? Well, I feel very, very hopeless because for the first time in my life I’m contemplating the physical end of Palestine. That’s something I never, ever thought would happen. But given the license that Israel has to do whatever it likes, it’s currently continuing this genocidal attack on Palestinians in Gaza and it’s continuing the ethnic cleansing that it’s getting away with on the West Bank. So if it’s allowed to do that unhampered and nobody stops it and nobody’s strong enough on our side to fight it and to stop it, I can’t see any other future other than that they will succeed in emptying the land of a majority, let’s say not everybody, but a majority of Palestinians. So it’s looking pretty bleak, I have to say. And of course my concern is with the Palestinians, but you mentioned Israelis and I agree with you. I think Jewish Israelis don’t have a future. They don’t have a future now. Whatever they do to the Palestinians, they’re finished because imagine what is the future for Israel? What is it? Given it’s now completely exposed as a utterly belligerent state which cannot survive without perpetual war. It cannot. Now, how on earth can you imagine a future for its people with this way of life? Unless they accept at some point that they are actually like other people and they must settle down and stop fighting other people and killing them unless they accept that. I don’t see any future for them at all. So even though they’re not my primary concern- Yeah, no, Marc Steiner: Right. I understand. They’re right. No, I do understand. Ghada Karmi: They don’t have a future and we certainly don’t have a future, not given the current situation. Marc Steiner: I had no idea the direction our conversation was going to take today, though I’ve been reading a lot of what you’ve written. I’ve been in touch with friends in Israel who are Israelis and family and friends who are Palestinians who live in Ramallah and other places in the West Bank, people I’ve known forever. And a bleakness took over in those conversations over the last week, thinking about you coming on as well. And so that’s why the tenor of my questions and discussion is because of what I see as a real hopelessness that we’re facing at this moment. For me, it’s the question I ask them is, how do we who have been so oppressed oppress another? How do we let that happen? Yeah. So do you think the era of dialogue and hope are really over? Ghada Karmi: Look, I’m reluctant to say anything is absolutely over. Marc Steiner: I understand. Yes, I understand. Ghada Karmi: Yes. But having said that, you ask the question which says, how can people who’ve been oppressed be so oppressive? Well, I can think of a mechanism which explains all of this. You see, one of the self-defense postures that people can adopt when they are persecuted is to create an idea that they are very special and that they are better than other people. The fact that they’re being attacked by lesser people can be made to feel not so painful if you are encouraged to believe that you are special, that you are being attacked by a load of barbarians who don’t understand how special you are and how superior you are to them. So this idea of superiority I think has taken over with many, I was going to say most Jews, whether in Israel or out of Israel, that that is the mechanism. That’s how it was created, I think. So we end up with a situation where the oppression that Jews were subjected to was met by this feeling of we’re better than them. Okay, they can kill us, but we know we’re much better. Now, if you carry that kind of mentality into Israel-Palestine, you’ve created a population of Jewish-Israelis who really do think they’re supremacist, that they are special, and that everybody else around them, the Palestinians first and foremost, are lesser human beings. So you can do with them what you like. It doesn’t feel that you’re oppressing them like you’re oppressing them because they are subhuman anyway. So that I think is one explanation that interests me a great deal and I would want to put forward to explain, as you say, this depressing reality that the people who underwent the Holocaust, or some of them did, or their children, their descendants can behave in the same way, by the way, as the Nazis. So that would be what I would say to that. Marc Steiner: So you’ve lost your home, been forced out of the country of birth and you’ve been teaching and working in medicine and as a scholar all these years, which is not easier to do given the situation that you face and face. And when we see Donald Trump in the White House who is probably around Israel, Palestine, Palestine, Israel is probably one of the worst presidents we’ve ever had and only kind of pushes the neofascist control inside of Israel itself and agrees with it with Netinyahu and his crew. How do you see it ending? I don’t often answer this question, nor do I get confused about how to ask the question very easily. But after years of being in a struggle, bringing Israelis and Palestinians together, running camps, fighting to end the occupation, all the things to come to the moment we’re on now, I really don’t know where we go. I don’t know how we find the road to peace because it’s between the two people who are at odds and between the Israelis, oppression of the Palestinians. Ghada Karmi: Yeah, it’s very difficult to see. Now you could imagine a number of scenarios which would end it. I don’t know how likely any of them are or how likely or in what order they might happen, but you can see, you can see a way in which the whole thing would change. Let’s take Iran supposing that things become much more acute or dramatic with Iran, with President Trump, in my view, obeying Israeli orders and bombing the hell out of Iran. Now Iran will bomb the hell out of Israel, There’s no doubt about that. So now imagine a scenario in which that happens and the Israelis cannot continue to hide behind no internet, no showing of anything, no publicity, no information about the damage that’s being done. It’s already, I gather Tel Aviv and other areas in Israel are badly damaged already by the bombing by the missiles from Iran and this could be very, very much worse to a point where the state seesis to function. If you add that to the fact that fewer and fewer young Israelis will volunteer for the army, which is already happening. And if you add that to the fact that the economy, which is not badly affected now as we speak, but will become affected in the future. So if you take a number of these factors together and don’t forget Hezbollah, which is also lobbying missiles over the border at Israel, that’s one possible scenario that could happen. Now, I can imagine another scenario in which unbelievable as it seems at the moment, Donald Trump actually realizes the danger he’s in domestically and drops Iran and drops Israel in it and withdraws, just withdraws. So there’s another way because the main support for Israel, of course, is the United States. So if something threatens that, then Israel has finished, it’s had it. So that’s another possibility. Now, how likely all these are, I don’t know. I add to that a third factor which we are seeing, which is the level of popular support for Palestine and an accompanying disenchantment with Israel, particularly in the United States. Now, where does that lead? I don’t know, but here’s another potential which could make things very difficult for the Israelis. Looking at the situation in general and wondering which bit or maybe more than one of these scenarios could come together and would make an enormous difference to the outcome. Now, if you then add the internal factor in Israel that is nevermind all this stuff from outside internally Israeli society is split. Marc Steiner: Yes. Ghada Karmi: There is a problem between the Orthodox, the right-wingers and the liberal- Marc Steiner: The secular population. Yep. Ghada Karmi: Yeah. And the Haredeme of the Docs which refuse to fight for the army and then maybe force to fight and that’ll create a hell of a big problem. So it’s like a cocktail of impending disasters, any of which or some combination of which would bring about the end of the current awful situation we have. Marc Steiner: There’s also one other factor in that you can’t forget that Israel’s also a nuclear power. Ghada Karmi: Yeah. I haven’t forgotten. Marc Steiner: No, no, I’m sure you have not. I don’t mean you’ve forgotten. I mean, we cannot forget that that exists and that if Israel feels its back is completely against the wall, it’s going to use that power. Ghada Karmi: Yeah. And that is really a real possibility. That’s what I meant by I hadn’t forgotten because it often crosses my mind that Israel is mad enough, honestly, it’s psychotic enough to do something like that. Marc Steiner: Yeah. I mean, one of the stories in Jewish history is about the Massada. Ghada Karmi: Sure. Marc Steiner: And it’s in the consciousness of everybody who’s Jewish. You grow up with that, just like you grew up in the Holocaust or my grandparents who suffered the pogroms and were almost killed by the Kasaks. So all that’s an oppressed consciousness and I can see the powers within Israel, especially the right wing powers with Israel, saying if we’re going to die, they’re all going to die. Ghada Karmi: Yes, yes, yes, yes. Very well put. And I tell you, it’s a terrible fear that I have. It’s Samson all over again. And in Arabic, the whole Samson story has a line in it on me and on all my enemies and perfectly illustrates the situation. Yes, it’s very frightening. I don’t know what we can do except to express our fear of such an eventuality Marc Steiner: And we have to keep fighting for the alternative. We have to keep fighting for the peace to happen and to make- Of Ghada Karmi: Course. Marc Steiner: Of Ghada Karmi: Course. Marc Steiner: You can’t give up. Ghada Karmi: Yes. But I need to say when you’ve said before earlier in this interview, you said again, you said about peace. Look, peace can only come about if people understand what the problem is as well as me, that there’s a tremendous amount of obfuscation, of confusion, of sentimentality, of all kinds of things have been chucked at this story. The Bible, the Holocaust, all these factors mean that in the end, people are actually confused. What does peace mean? What would it mean? Now in my terms, the only peace that I can envisage is one where we Palestinians go home. It’s very, very simple. We all have to go home. And of course, if we go home, then the whole structure of the current state of Israel automatically changes and in my view, for the better. Marc Steiner: The right of return. Gadakaria, I want to thank you for the work you do. I want to talk to you next about your latest book and I want to thank you for joining us today. It’s been an important conversation and I deeply appreciate you to being with us today. Ghada Karmi: It was a great pleasure for me to talk to you. Marc Steiner: Once again, I want to thank Dr. Ghada Karmi for joining us today for the work she does and we’ll be linking to her work, which is extensive. And thanks to Cameron Granadino for running the program today, audio edits received from Frank for working his magic, Rosette Sewali, for producing the Marc Steiner Show and puting up with me and the titles, Kayla Rivara for making it all work behind the scenes and everyone here at The World News for making this show possible. Please, let me know what you thought about what you heard today, what you’d like us to cover. Just write to me at mss@therealnews.com and I’ll get right back to you. And once again, thank you joining us today. So for the crew here at The Real News, I’m Marc Steiner. Stay involved, keep listening and take care. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Marc Steiner.
The Times they are a changing – The Grayzone live
The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 15, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 15, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 15, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
Todd Blanche targets press, leakers as acting attorney general
As President Donald Trump’s second term continued in 2026, he removed Pam Bondi as attorney general. Her deputy, now acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, joined Trump in efforts to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered Trump and his adm...
As President Donald Trump’s second term continued in 2026, he removed Pam Bondi as attorney general. Her deputy, now acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, joined Trump in efforts to punish and intimidate news outlets that have covered Trump and his administration critically. We’re documenting Blanche’s efforts in this regularly updated report. Read about how Trump’s appointees and allies in Congress are striving to chill reporting, revoke funding, censor critical coverage and more here. This article was first published on May 15, 2026. May 12, 2026 | Acting attorney general defends DOJ subpoenas to WSJ, others April 7, 2026 | Acting attorney general willing to subpoena journalists in leak investigations May 12, 2026 | Acting attorney general defends DOJ subpoenas to WSJ, others Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the issuing of federal subpoenas to The Wall Street Journal as part of a leak investigation, after the legal orders were made public on May 11, 2026. In a May 12 social media post, Blanche wrote, “Prosecuting leakers who share our nation’s secrets with reporters, in turn risking our national security and the lives of our soldiers, is a priority for this administration. “Any witness, whether a reporter or otherwise, who has information about these criminals should not be surprised if they receive a subpoena about the illegal leaking of classified material,” he continued. A Justice Department official emphasized to CBS News the same day that the subpoenas were issued as part of an investigation into the source behind the leaks, not the journalists themselves. Freedom of the Press Foundation, of which the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is a project, condemned the subpoenas and the use of “national security” as justification. “These subpoenas are a direct threat to the public’s right to know, and the Journal is correct to fight them,” FPF Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern said. “Since the Department of Justice has abandoned the First Amendment, it’s up to the courts to restrain the government’s attempts to crush investigative journalism.” The subpoenas to the Journal are just the latest instance of the news media being caught up in or deliberately targeted in federal investigations since then-Attorney General Pam Bondi rescinded Biden-era protections for journalists in April 2025. Earlier this year, the DOJ subpoenaed The Washington Post, and the FBI executed a search warrant at the home of its reporter, Hannah Natanson, seizing her equipment. Independent photojournalist Robert Scherle was questioned by two FBI agents at his home seeking information about protesters. And FBI Director Kash Patel has reportedly ordered investigations into two reporters following unfavorable coverage. Back to Top April 7, 2026 | Acting attorney general willing to subpoena journalists in leak investigations During his first press briefing as acting attorney general on April 7, 2026, Todd Blanche said he would not hesitate to subpoena members of the press to uncover sources behind leaks of classified information. The previous day, President Donald Trump vowed to investigate the source behind a leak concerning the downing of a U.S. fighter jet by Iran. “We’re going to go to the media company that released it,” Trump said, “and we’re going to say, ‘National security — give it up or go to jail.’” When asked about Trump’s comments, Blanche said that classified information leaks will always be investigated. “If that means sending a subpoena to the reporter, that’s exactly what we should do, and that’s exactly what we will be doing,” Blanche said. “If it means doing regular investigations to identify who within the government feels like it’s OK to leak classified information, to put lives at risk, then we’ll try to root him or her out as well.” Back to Top This content originally appeared on U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database and was authored by U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Incident Database.
How Trustworthy is Military Footage of UAP?
End ICE Abuse: Tom Morello Joins Immigrant Rights Protest in NYC
Bangladesh tribunal shows journalists Rupa and Babu arrested over 2013 reporting
May 15, 2026, New Delhi—Bangladeshi authorities must release journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu, who were recently arrested in a crimes-against-humanity case filed at the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 14, the ICT in the capital Dhaka showed Rupa, a former chief reporter and presenter at...
May 15, 2026, New Delhi—Bangladeshi authorities must release journalists Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu, who were recently arrested in a crimes-against-humanity case filed at the country’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday. On May 14, the ICT in the capital Dhaka showed Rupa, a former chief reporter and presenter at privately owned Ekattor TV, and Babu, the channel’s founder and former editor-in-chief, arrested in a case linked to the May 2013 crackdown on a rally by Islamist group Hefajat-e-Islam at Shapla Chattar. The tribunal sent the two journalists back to jail and set June 7 for submission of the investigation report. Former foreign minister Dipu Moni was also named in the case. “Editorial decisions on covering a contested political incident are not crimes against humanity, and using an international criminal law framework to punish journalists circumvents the basic protections guaranteed to the press under Bangladesh’s own constitution while also violating international human rights conventions,” said CPJ Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator Kunāl Majumder. “Bangladeshi authorities must stop weaponizing the international criminal tribunal to target journalists and immediately release Farzana Rupa and Mozammel Babu.” Prosecutors allege that Rupa, in a report aired on Ekattor TV after the incident, used statements from “controversial individuals” and spread misleading information that diverted attention from killings during the crackdown. Babu, as managing director of the channel at the time, is accused of overseeing the broadcast as part of what the chief prosecutor described as a “systematic” to conceal the death toll. CPJ has not been able to independently review the Ekattor TV broadcasts aired before, during, and after the Shapla Chattar operation that the prosecution cites as evidence. However, CPJ has reviewed a widely circulated 2013 YouTube documentary, presented by Rupa, that investigates the aftermath of the crackdown and challenges the casualty figures attributed to it — including by tracking down individuals named in widely reported death tolls who were later found alive. Rupa and Babu have been held in pre-trial detention since August and September 2024, respectively, in connection with separate murder cases linked to deaths during the July 2024 mass uprising that ousted the Awami League government. On May 11, the High Court in Dhaka granted Rupa ad-interim bail in six of those cases, but she remains in jail because of pending charges, including the ICT case. The ICT was originally constituted in 2010 under a 1973 law to try crimes committed during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. During the Awami League government under then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the tribunal was used to prosecute her political opponents, including senior leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, several of whom were sentenced to death and executed for alleged war crimes committed during the 1971 war. Since the political transition of August 2024, the interim government has reconstituted the tribunal and amended the law to prosecute figures linked to the Awami League government, including Hasina, who was sentenced to death in absentia in November 2025. Bangladesh’s Ministry of Law and the Office of the Chief Prosecutor did not immediately respond to CPJ’s emailed requests for comment. This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by Committee to Protect Journalists.
Methane gas ignites fire at drinking water pump in Nigeria
The People vs. The Autocrats: How to Fight Back – TEASER
Convicted felon Trump went to China and brought his son Eric along on the nepo-baby express. Eric runs the family business. And by "family business," we mean a transnational crime network of bribes operating like a geopolitical yard sale, selling out our country to the highest bidder. While they were there, Dictator Xi Jinping told the U.S. to back off defending Taiwan. And Trump, in defiance of decades of established U.S. foreign policy, is suddenly sounding suspiciously wishy-washy on approving arms deals for Taiwan. Which is just music to Xi's ears. It's the 1930s all over again, complete with secret alliances of transactional autocrats, and the people forced to build their own resistance networks in the storm. How do we get through this era without having to literally storm the beaches of Normandy again? To help us figure it out, we're bringing you Part II of our discussion with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy. She is a Brennan Center fellow, a law professor at Stetson University, and the author of Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians. (And if you missed Part I, where we discussed how American corporations funded Trump's violent January 6th coup attempt, go back and listen to it right here). It's easy to despair right now, but the resilience of the people, especially powerful community networks, reminds us that the Constitution still matters, and protects everyone on our soil. We are not powerless against a corporatocracy eager to cash in on transactional autocrats. We just need to confront the absolute, unmitigated disaster that was the Reagan Revolution, undo its damage by building localized power through groups like the States Project, and commit to a relentless, stubborn defiance. We can and will do it, together. Because there's no other choice. To listen to this full episode, subscribe at the Truth-teller tier, which is just $5 a month, or higher on Patreon. We have discounted annual subscriptions, and you can even give the gift of membership to that uncle who still thinks trickle-down economics works. A massive thank you to everyone who subscribes to Gaslit Nation—we literally could not make this show without you. Show Notes: Corporatocracy How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians https://nyupress.org/9781479828371/corporatocracy/ Corporatocracy - Part I: https://gaslitnation.libsyn.com/corporatocracy 'No idea it was coming': Pentagon officials stunned by Hegseth decision on troops in Poland https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/14/poland-pentagon-hegseth-troop-withdrawl-surprise-00922169 Eric Trump, Who Runs the Family Business, Hops Along on the Plane to China https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/us/politics/eric-trump-china.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ilA.uxcA.YKSI7CnAWkZs&smid=url-share Poland railway blast was unprecedented act of sabotage, says Donald Tusk https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/17/poland-railway-blast-was-unprecedented-act-of-sabotage-says-donald-tusk Opening clip: https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mlvc3nzpjc23
Convicted felon Trump went to China and brought his son Eric along on the nepo-baby express. Eric runs the family business. And by "family business," we mean a transnational crime network of bribes operating like a geopolitical yard sale, selling out our country to the highest bidder. While they were there, Dictator Xi Jinping told the U.S. to back off defending Taiwan. And Trump, in defiance of decades of established U.S. foreign policy, is suddenly sounding suspiciously wishy-washy on approving arms deals for Taiwan. Which is just music to Xi's ears. It's the 1930s all over again, complete with secret alliances of transactional autocrats, and the people forced to build their own resistance networks in the storm. How do we get through this era without having to literally storm the beaches of Normandy again? To help us figure it out, we're bringing you Part II of our discussion with Ciara Torres-Spelliscy. She is a Brennan Center fellow, a law professor at Stetson University, and the author of Corporatocracy: How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians. (And if you missed Part I, where we discussed how American corporations funded Trump's violent January 6th coup attempt, go back and listen to it right here). It's easy to despair right now, but the resilience of the people, especially powerful community networks, reminds us that the Constitution still matters, and protects everyone on our soil. We are not powerless against a corporatocracy eager to cash in on transactional autocrats. We just need to confront the absolute, unmitigated disaster that was the Reagan Revolution, undo its damage by building localized power through groups like the States Project, and commit to a relentless, stubborn defiance. We can and will do it, together. Because there's no other choice. To listen to this full episode, subscribe at the Truth-teller tier, which is just $5 a month, or higher on Patreon. We have discounted annual subscriptions, and you can even give the gift of membership to that uncle who still thinks trickle-down economics works. A massive thank you to everyone who subscribes to Gaslit Nation—we literally could not make this show without you. Show Notes: Corporatocracy How to Protect Democracy from Dark Money and Corrupt Politicians https://nyupress.org/9781479828371/corporatocracy/ Corporatocracy - Part I: https://gaslitnation.libsyn.com/corporatocracy 'No idea it was coming': Pentagon officials stunned by Hegseth decision on troops in Poland https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/14/poland-pentagon-hegseth-troop-withdrawl-surprise-00922169 Eric Trump, Who Runs the Family Business, Hops Along on the Plane to China https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/us/politics/eric-trump-china.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ilA.uxcA.YKSI7CnAWkZs&smid=url-share Poland railway blast was unprecedented act of sabotage, says Donald Tusk https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/17/poland-railway-blast-was-unprecedented-act-of-sabotage-says-donald-tusk Opening clip: https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3mlvc3nzpjc23 This content originally appeared on Gaslit Nation and was authored by Andrea Chalupa.
Somalia: ‘real and credible risk of famine’, warn aid teamsSudan: 825,000 small children face near-starvation: UNICEFUkraine: another UN convoy attacked twice in Kherson
Somalia: ‘real and credible risk of famine’, warn aid teamsSudan: 825,000 small children face near-starvation: UNICEFUkraine: another UN convoy attacked twice in Kherson This content originally appeared on UN News - Global perspective Human stories and was authored by Daniel Johnson.
“We Will Find You and We Will Kill You” ⎹ The Intercept Briefing
Convoy controversy: Rajasthan MP’s cavalcade video falsely linked to BJP, PM Modi
A 21-second viral clip showing a long convoy of cars moving along a road is being widely shared on social media with the claim that it shows a political convoy... The post Convoy controversy: Rajasthan MP’s cavalcade video falsely linked to BJP, PM Modi appeared first on Alt News.
A 21-second viral clip showing a long convoy of cars moving along a road is being widely shared on social media with the claim that it shows a political convoy in Rajasthan, where the BJP is in power. The video has gone viral in the backdrop of PM Narendra Modi’s May 10 appeal urging citizens to use petrol, diesel and cooking gas with “great restraint” amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. In his address, Modi also suggested measures such as using public transport, carpooling and reviving the work-from-home culture to reduce fuel consumption. He further advised people to postpone foreign travel and gold purchases for at least a year. Several social media users and critics of the BJP shared the viral clip to accuse the Prime Minister of hypocrisy, alleging that he appealed for fuel conservation while travelling the very next day with a massive convoy of vehicles. Among those amplifying the claim was Dhruv Rathee, who posted a video on X on May 12 criticising PM Modi for allegedly not practising what he preached. At the 36-second mark of the video, Rathee plays the viral clip and remarks that the Prime Minister’s convoy did not include any electric vehicles (EVs), which, according to him, would have reduced energy consumption. The post has garnered over 511,500 views and more than 10,000 reposts. (Archive) Modi’s DOGLA Advice to Indians pic.twitter.com/Wpfd1Wg3b7 — Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) May 12, 2026 Congress media coordinator from Assam, Harmeet Kaur K, also shared the viral clip in response to another post and claimed that the video showed PM Narendra Modi’s convoy in Rajasthan. (Archive) So did their leader after appealing to their countrymen to drastically measure to conserve fuel & oil , did back to back unnecessary road shows , rallies with more than 50 car convoys, wasted foreign trips to different countries in private jets ?? And why did he make such a big… pic.twitter.com/K90xvtYM3o — Harmeet Kaur K (@iamharmeetK) May 12, 2026 Some other social media users shared the same video and claimed that it showed a convoy of Madhya Pradesh BJP leader Saubhagya Singh Thakur travelling from Ujjain to Bhopal. Some asserted that the convoy included 700-800 vehicles. X page named BIG TV Breaking News (@bigtvtelugu) posted the viral clip on May 13, claiming that the video shows BJP leader Saubhagya Singh’s convoy. (Archive) 50 కార్లతో బీజేపీ నేత కాన్వాయ్ మధ్యప్రదేశ్ బీజేపీ నేత సౌభాగ్య సింగ్ నిర్వాకం టెక్స్ట్ బుక్స్ కార్పొరేషన్ ఛైర్మన్‌గా ఉన్న సౌభాగ్య సింగ్ బాధ్యతల స్వీకరణ కోసం వెళ్లే క్రమంలో ఉజ్జయిని నుంచి భోపాల్‌కు 50 కార్లతో కాన్వాయ్ ఇంధనం వాడకం తగ్గించాలని ప్రధాని మోదీ చెప్పిన మరుసటి రోజే… pic.twitter.com/YJTCXQHiEM — BIG TV Breaking News (@bigtvtelugu) May 13, 2026 Several other users shared the above-mentioned clip while targeting BJP, including Congress national spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamed. Below are a few instances. Click to view slideshow. Fact Check Upon closely examining the viral clip, we noticed that a person travelling in one of the vehicles in the convoy was holding a green-coloured flag. Although the footage is blurry, a white circular emblem with a logo could be seen at the centre of the flag. This suggested that the convoy was unlikely to be associated with any BJP leader. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-315411" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-6.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="628" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-6.jpg 1200w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-6-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-6-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-6-768x402.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> To further verify the claim, we extracted several keyframes from the viral clip and performed a reverse image search on them. This led us to an X post by user Lala (@FabulasGuy), who had shared a screenshot of the original Instagram post from which the now-viral video appears to have originated. Dhruv Rathee has nothing original of his own anymore. Now he just puts into his videos whatever goes viral on Twitter/X. This video is actually from two days ago and belongs to Rajasthan’s RLP party Which he is falsely presenting as PM Modi’s convoy. We are very well… pic.twitter.com/vsLi5Yrwpm — Lala (@FabulasGuy) May 12, 2026 Following this lead, we located the Instagram page @rocky_sou_jat, where the original video had been posted on May 10 with the caption: “Beniwal’s convoy en route to Shri Dadupalka Bhairana Dham.” The post contained the same clip that is now viral. The caption makes it clear that the convoy belonged to Hanuman Beniwal, founder of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) and MP from Nagaur, Rajasthan. It is worth noting that RLP split from NDA in December 2020 over farm laws. View this post on Instagram A post shared by चिमनाराम सोऊ जाट गोदावास (@rocky_sou_jat) Armed with these clues, when we compared the flag seen in the viral video with the RLP flag, we noticed similarities. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-315408" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-5.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="628" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-5.jpg 1200w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-5-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-5-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-5-768x402.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> Next, we found that the same Instagram user had shared another video in which Beniwal could be seen inside his car. View this post on Instagram A post shared by चिमनाराम सोऊ जाट गोदावास (@rocky_sou_jat) Looking at the background of the above video, we could deduce that the viral clip and the aforementioned video are from the same place. Below, we have marked the similarities. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-315416" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-8.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="628" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-8.jpg 1200w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-8-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-8-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-8-768x402.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-315417" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-7.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="628" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-7.jpg 1200w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-7-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-7-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FI-7-768x402.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> A similar video of a long convoy of vehicles was also shared on Hanuman Beniwal’s official Instagram page. The caption said, “On Sunday, I participated in the movement being carried out by saints and great personalities at Shri Dadupalka Bhairana Dham in Bhairana, located in Maujmadabad tehsil of Jaipur district”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hanuman Beniwal (@hanumanbeniwal77) As per reports, saints and local residents of Bhairana Dham, a prominent religious site in Rajasthan’s Behror region, have been protesting against a proposed project by the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Ltd., the Rajasthan government’s industrial development agency. Protesters allege that the project would result in the felling of around 40,000 trees. Amid the ongoing protests, the RLP leader travelled to Bhairana Dham along with several supporters and devotees to express solidarity with the saints and residents opposing the project. Therefore, it is clear that the viral video does not show PM Modi or any BJP leader’s convoy; it depicts RLP leader Hanuman Beniwal’s convoy, and the video is from Rajasthan. At the same time, it is true that BJP leader Saubhagya Singh has been show-caused by the MP government for using a 50-car convoy while travelling from Ujjain to Bhopal. The post Convoy controversy: Rajasthan MP’s cavalcade video falsely linked to BJP, PM Modi appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Oishani Bhattacharya.
"Israel: What Went Wrong?": Holocaust Scholar Omer Bartov & Haaretz’s Gideon Levy Debate Zionism
Nakba Day: Muhammad Shehada on Israel’s Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza & Ongoing Palestinian Resilience
Top U.S. & World Headlines — May 15, 2026
“Israel: What Went Wrong?”: Holocaust Scholar Omer Bartov & Haaretz’s Gideon Levy Debate Zionism
We speak to two prominent Israeli thinkers, historian Omer Bartov and journalist Gideon Levy, about the founding beliefs of Zionism. Bartov, a professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University, is the author of the new book Israe...
We speak to two prominent Israeli thinkers, historian Omer Bartov and journalist Gideon Levy, about the founding beliefs of Zionism. Bartov, a professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University, is the author of the new book Israel: What Went Wrong? Bartov says the early Zionist movement had liberatory intentions, aiming to emancipate the persecuted Jewish minority in Europe and modeling itself after other contemporary ethnonationalist movements. He then argues that while Israel had the opportunity to “become a normal state” and “issue a constitution that would provide equality to all its citizens, would define its borders and create a legal framework” that could also acknowledge and redress the Nakba, it chose another path. Instead of remedying its foundational violence, he says, the modern Israeli state has become increasingly “militaristic, centralized, expansionist, racist and, as we’ve seen since October 2023, genocidal.” Though Bartov does not identify as an anti-Zionist, he says Israel “must discard Zionism, it must put it on the garbage heap of history, and it must redefine itself, going all the way back to 1948.” Levy, on the other hand, says Zionism has never been reformable, because the movement, from its very beginning, “started wrong, without the belief or the conviction that we can live together.” He contests Bartov’s assertion that early Zionist intentions became warped over the 20th century, and says instead that the violent dispossession of Palestinians is embedded into the premise of the movement. “This very same attitude, this very same policy never stopped ever since ’48,” Levy contends. His latest piece in Haaretz is titled “Zionism Didn’t Go Wrong, It Was Always Built This Way.” Both Bartov and Levy also respond to the Israeli government’s threat to file a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times for publishing a column by longtime opinion writer Nicholas Kristof about systemic sexual abuse against Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. “That has become the policy of the country — to abuse, to humiliate, to rape systematically,” says Bartov. Levy explains Israel’s reaction “is to attack the messenger.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Palestinians around the world are marking Nakba Day, 78 years after their forced mass displacement led to the establishment of the Jewish-majority state of Israel. Decades later, Palestinians still face widespread oppression and violence from ...
Palestinians around the world are marking Nakba Day, 78 years after their forced mass displacement led to the establishment of the Jewish-majority state of Israel. Decades later, Palestinians still face widespread oppression and violence from the Israeli state as it continues its expansionary project. “Israel tried, since 1948 until today, to destroy us as a people, as a group, and they failed at it. Our people are still there, resilient,” says Palestinian writer Muhammad Shehada, who was born in Gaza and now lives in Denmark. Shehada discusses the ongoing process of the Nakba, including its latest intensification after October 7, 2023. “Now this veneer of civility has fallen off. The mask was taken off. And now it’s a matter of national pride in Israel to brag about annihilating Palestinians.” Shehada also describes current conditions in Gaza — still under Israeli blockade and occupation — and what he calls the “disarmament trap” of unfairly weighted negotiations designed to strip Palestinians of political autonomy. “The 'realistic' proposal that Israel is putting on the table is surrender, capitulate, become fully defenseless, weaponless, and entrust the very army that carried out a genocide against you to be merciful towards you once you are an easier target than you ever were before.” Finally, he responds to the Israeli government’s recent threat to file a defamation lawsuit against The New York Times, after the paper published a column by longtime opinion writer Nicholas Kristof about systemic sexual abuse against Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons. “It’s the newspaper of record. It’ll be spread and disseminated widely to an American audience,” says Shehada about the allegations levied in Kristof’s piece. “So we see, basically, an Israeli panic attack in return.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
On Tuesday, a coalition of groups held a rally to protest ICE’s abuses at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City, a 41-story federal building in lower Manhattan that houses immigration courts, ICE field offices, immigrant detention spaces, and U.S. Cit...
On Tuesday, a coalition of groups held a rally to protest ICE’s abuses at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City, a 41-story federal building in lower Manhattan that houses immigration courts, ICE field offices, immigrant detention spaces, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The protest, organized by Hands Off NYC, included advocates from Make the Road New York, the New York Immigration coalition, and a surprise guest — musician Tom Morello, who performed “This Land Is Your Land.” This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.
House Narrowly Rejects Latest War Powers Resolution to End Trump’s Attacks on Iran, CENTCOM Commander Denies U.S. Killed Civilians in Iran: “No Way That We Can Corroborate That”, Iran’s Foreign Minister Asks BRICS Nations to Unite Against U.S. “Bullying”, Trump Departs China Without Agreements on Taiwan, Iran or Strait of Hormuz, CIA Chief Travels to Havana as Cuba’s Oil Reserves Run Dry Amid U.S. Fuel Blockade, UNICEF Says Israeli Attacks Have Killed or Wounded 59 Children in a Week, Despite Ceasefire Deal, Israeli Nationalists March Through Jerusalem’s Old City, Chanting “Death to Arabs”, 24 Killed as Russian Missile Slams into Kyiv Apartment Building, Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks, Who Oversaw Mass Deportation Campaign, Abruptly Resigns, Court Orders Trump Administration to Return Colombian Woman Deported to Congo, Supreme Court Preserves Broad Access to Abortion Medication Mifepristone, ABC: Trump Set to Unveil $1.7 Billion IRS “Compensation Fund” to Benefit MAGA Allies , Boeing to Pay Family of Samya Stumo Nearly $50M over Fatal Crash of 737 MAX Jet, Bolivian Unions Lead Nationwide Strikes Demanding Ouster of President Paz, Richard Glossip Freed on Bond After Nearly 30 Years on Oklahoma’s Death Row
House Narrowly Rejects Latest War Powers Resolution to End Trump's Attacks on Iran CENTCOM Commander Denies U.S. Killed Civilians in Iran: "No Way That We Can Corroborate That" Iran's Foreign Minister Asks BRICS Nations to Unite Against U.S. "Bullying" Trump Departs China Without Agreements on Taiwan, Iran or Strait of Hormuz CIA Chief Travels to Havana as Cuba's Oil Reserves Run Dry Amid U.S. Fuel Blockade UNICEF Says Israeli Attacks Have Killed or Wounded 59 Children in a Week, Despite Ceasefire Deal Israeli Nationalists March Through Jerusalem's Old City, Chanting "Death to Arabs" 24 Killed as Russian Missile Slams into Kyiv Apartment Building Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks, Who Oversaw Mass Deportation Campaign, Abruptly Resigns Court Orders Trump Administration to Return Colombian Woman Deported to Congo Supreme Court Preserves Broad Access to Abortion Medication Mifepristone ABC: Trump Set to Unveil $1.7 Billion IRS "Compensation Fund" to Benefit MAGA Allies Boeing to Pay Family of Samya Stumo Nearly $50M over Fatal Crash of 737 MAX Jet Bolivian Unions Lead Nationwide Strikes Demanding Ouster of President Paz Richard Glossip Freed on Bond After Nearly 30 Years on Oklahoma's Death Row This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Headlines for May 15, 2026; Nakba Day: Muhammad Shehada on Israel’s Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza & Ongoing Palestinian Resilience; “Israel: What Went Wrong?”: Holocaust Scholar Omer Bartov & Haaretz’s Gideon Levy Debate Zionism
Democracy Now! 2026-05-15 Friday Headlines for May 15, 2026 Nakba Day: Muhammad Shehada on Israel's Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza & Ongoing Palestinian Resilience "Israel: What Went Wrong?": Holocaust Scholar Omer Bartov & Haaretz's Gideon Levy Debate Zionism Download this show This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.
Improvements in Pacific media freedom, but a shameful silence on Gaza ‘death trap’
ANALYSIS: By David Robie, Pacific Media Watch When the Paris-based global watchdog Reporters Without Borders released their annual World Press Freedom Index dossier online three days before World Press Freedom Day, journalists in the Asia-Pacific region were quick to check out their ranking. Overall the prognosis wasn’t very flattering. No country in the region was
ANALYSIS: By David Robie, Pacific Media Watch When the Paris-based global watchdog Reporters Without Borders released their annual World Press Freedom Index dossier online three days before World Press Freedom Day, journalists in the Asia-Pacific region were quick to check out their ranking. Overall the prognosis wasn’t very flattering. No country in the region was ranked in the top 20 of the 180 countries surveyed, and even New Zealand, which has traditionally done well in the past – including even being in the top 10 a few years ago — had continued its downhill slide. “New Zealand (22nd) remains the region’s model for press freedom, despite slipping six places,” said the World Press Freedom Index report. “Other Asia-Pacific democracies, such as Taiwan (28th), Timor-Leste (30th) and Australia (33rd), face real challenges to upholding the right to reliable information, yet continue to offer broadly protective environments. READ MORE: How Israel’s unprecedented killing of Palestinian journalists in Gaza makes accountability reporting almost impossible — Majdolin Hasan and Wadih Sabbagh, GIJN We analysed thousands of news articles: here’s the proof of the pro-Israel bias in mainstream media – Adam Johnson, The Intercept Silencing the messenger: Israel kills journalists, while the West merely censors them – David Robie, Declassified Australia Gaza, genocide and media: Will journalism survive? — Pacific Journalism Review The 2026 RSF World Press Freedom Index “They stand as exceptions in a region where press freedom is being steadily eroded.” Fiji scored a remarkable 16-place climb to 24th, just two places behind New Zealand, after the scrapping of the draconian Media Industry Development Act in 2023, but this was certainly no grounds to be complacent. Responding to the rankings and after a woman journalist in Tonga was threatened at gunpoint at Kele’a Voice FM radio station by a jailed-for-life drug gangster’s hooded henchman in Tonga, Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) president Kalafi Moala (himself Tongan and a doyen of Pacific media) declared: Tongan armed threat against journalist troubles Pacific media freedom <iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" title="“Tongan armed threat against journalist troubles Pacific media freedom” — Asia Pacific Report" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/2026/05/09/tongan-armed-threat-against-journalist-highlights-pacific-media-freedom/embed/#?secret=9lX9K8RFuZ%23?secret=ntZFZvizfv" data-secret="ntZFZvizfv" width="600" height="338" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"> “Threats against press freedom are unfortunately ongoing in the Pacific. The incident in Tonga demonstrates that the enemies of press freedom can come from anywhere — not always the government or those in power, but anyone averse to truth and transparency. “Whether it is in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, French Polynesia or anywhere else in the Pacific, media freedom must be protected, advocated for and exercised to the fullest.” Smear. Kill. Repeat: The constant horror for journalists in Gaza Video: Al Jazeera Deafening silence on Gaza But for all the lively debate and responses across the Asia-Pacific to this year’s Press Freedom Index results, there was a deafening silence and lack of collegial concern from New Zealand to Taiwan about the elephant in the global media freedom room: the unprecedented and chilling wholesale assassinations of Palestinian (and now Lebanese) journalists by the Israeli military forces. Many of them were targeted and murdered for doing their jobs. And those still surviving have been risking their lives (and those of their families) day and night while truth-telling to the world with extraordinary courage. “Under Article 79 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions (1977), journalists on ‘dangerous professional missions in armed conflict’ must be treated as civilians. It is one of the clearest protections in international law,” write Majdolin Hasan and Wadih Sabbagh of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN). “Yet in Gaza, their cameras and press vests have become targets.” Statistics on this Israeli bloodlust are varied, depending on the source and methodology and criteria in compiling the information. According to the latest figures on the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Gaza database, 264 journalists have been killed, 174 wounded and 107 imprisoned. These figures include war-related killings of journalists and media workers in Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Iran and Israel. “By silencing the press, Israel is silencing those who document and bear witness to what human rights groups and UN experts agree is a genocide. CPJ calls on the international community to hold Israel to account for its unlawful attacks on journalists; ensure international media is given immediate, independent access to Gaza; and open humanitarian corridors for journalists.” Death toll even higher Some media counts put the death toll even higher. A United Nations human rights web page, for example, cites UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk saying in a statement to mark World Press Freedom Day that the situation for journalists in Gaza is a “death trap”. “Israel’s war in Gaza has become a death trap for the media. My office has verified the killing of nearly 300 journalists since October 2023, with many more injured,” Türk said. He urged States to investigate all violations against media workers and expressed alarm at the lack of accountability for killings of journalists. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-106190 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gaza-Press-AJ-680wide.png" alt="Gaza press flak jackets" width="680" height="482" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gaza-Press-AJ-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gaza-Press-AJ-680wide-300x213.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gaza-Press-AJ-680wide-100x70.png 100w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gaza-Press-AJ-680wide-593x420.png 593w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Gaza press flak jackets . . . Media freedom watchdogs put the death toll as between 267 and more than 300 killed by Israel since 7 October 2023. Image: Al Jazeera File “This year alone, at least 14 journalists have been killed. Over the past 20 years, only around one in 10 killings has led to full accountability,” Türk said. In January 2024, I wrote an article for Declassified Australia that was already an “early warning” indicator of the growing death toll among Palestinian journalists. My earlier media freedom articles had frequently dealt with the Philippines, which used to be among the worst countries for the killing of journalists. In the article, “Silencing the messenger”, I also warned against the growing censorship in what was already emerging as the greatest moral issue of our times: “Western journalists taking a stand against their media outlets’ biased coverage of the Israeli war on Gaza are being targeted with career threats and even dismissal. But their colleagues in Palestine are suffering a worse fate.” I called on journalists to make a stand for truth-telling and in solidarity with their colleagues in Gaza. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-95314" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Junket-list-Crikey-680wide.png" alt="Crikey's running checklist on Australian journalists" width="680" height="635" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Junket-list-Crikey-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Junket-list-Crikey-680wide-300x280.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Junket-list-Crikey-680wide-450x420.png 450w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Crikey’s running checklist on Australian journalists who have been to Israel. Image: Crikey screenshot APR Shameful NZ silence Yet while the silence in the Pacific is perhaps not surprising given the conflicted collaboration of several governments, such as Fiji and Papua New Guinea, on the wrong side of history, in New Zealand it is shameful. At least in Australia, there has been a strong pushback by journalists against the bias in the mainstream, and one independent publication, Crikey, has been publishing a “register” of journalists who have been on paid junkets to Israel and are regarded as potentially compromised. Media editor Daanyal Saeed wrote: “It’s become clear that a number of Australian politicians and journalists have been on organised tours to the Middle East — many of them sponsored by pro-Israel lobby groups and interest organisations.” A similar grooming of New Zealand journalists has also been carried out by pro-Israel lobby groups’ “sponsorship” in recent years, but no media has published a comprehensive list. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-123569 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/John-Minto-APR-680wide.png" alt="PSNA co-chair John Minto" width="680" height="517" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/John-Minto-APR-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/John-Minto-APR-680wide-300x228.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/John-Minto-APR-680wide-80x60.png 80w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/John-Minto-APR-680wide-552x420.png 552w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> PSNA national campaigns coordinator John Minto . . . “Long history of false smears of antisemitism against anyone criticising Israel.” Image: Asia Pacific Report Is this “captive journalists” phenomena one of the factors for the perceived bias of much of the New Zealand media? John Minto, national campaigns coordinator of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA), the largest and most visible advocacy and protest group in the country, agrees: “The large number of journalists here, who should know better, who have taken all expenses paid trips to Israel are part of Israel’s building of a propaganda base. “Another important factor is the long history of false smears of antisemitism against anyone criticising Israel. Editors think twice about reporting anything showing Israel in a bad light. “Just last week an RNZ journalist talked on radio about an interview she had done with UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, and that the interview would be heard on the Nine to Noon show early the following week. The interview was then advertised to be broadcast on the Monday morning but then never appeared on the programme. “Pressure from the anti-Palestinian racists in the pro-Israel lobby is the only sensible explanation. Most likely it will simply be buried — along with what’s left of RNZ’s journalistic integrity.” Limited independent reportage It needs to be realised too that New Zealand media has a limited independent “international” reportage tradition in contrast to Australia and many other countries. What international coverage with a New Zealand perspective that did exist, largely disappeared after the closure of the country’s only independent news agency, the 131-year-old NZ Press Association cooperative. This shut down in 2011. Minto blames the narrow range of international news as another factor in why New Zealand media seems so slanted. “The media industry here takes its overseas content solely from Western news sources such as AP [Associated Press, American], Reuters and the BBC [both British-based] alongside UK and US newspapers such as The New York Times, Washington Post and Daily Telegraph. It is packaged by Israeli sympathisers embedded in senior positions across these outlets and the inevitable result is a stream of pro-Israeli propaganda rather than balanced and accurate journalism. “The recent analysis by The Intercept underscores this built-in bias in favour of Israel and against Palestinians.” The Pacific Journalism Review also ran a special edition in July 2024 focused on systemic bias in the New Zealand and some international media. The provocative title theme was “Gaza, genocide and media: Will journalism survive?” and it was aimed at alerting journalists that declining credibility was at stake over this critical moral issue of our times. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-121490" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Maher-at-Warehouse-APR-680wide.png" alt="PSNA co-chair Maher Nazzal explains the purpose of the giant protest letter to The Warehouse city branch duty manager Alyce in Auckland today" width="680" height="404" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Maher-at-Warehouse-APR-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Maher-at-Warehouse-APR-680wide-300x178.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Palestine Forum chair Maher Nazzal . . . “Much of the New Zealand media coverage on Palestine has been shaped through Western political narratives.” Image: Asia Pacific Report Maher Nazzal, a Palestinian New Zealander who is a community advocate and chair of the Palestine Forum of New Zealand, echoes this view. “Much of the New Zealand media coverage on Palestine has been shaped through Western political narratives and reliance on international wire services that often frame events primarily through an Israeli lens,” he says. “This has contributed to the dehumanisation or invisibility of Palestinian voices, including journalists working under unimaginable conditions in Gaza.” Courage and professionalism A good point. The courage and professionalism of Gaza journalists has been widely acknowledged around the globe, including their collectively winning the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize in 2024, yet NZ journalists seem to be reluctant to recognise this, let alone give statements of solidarity. Why?| “What Gaza journalists have shown over the past 19 months is extraordinary courage and professionalism,” says Nazzal. “Many continued reporting while displaced, grieving family members, facing starvation, or living under bombardment. “Some paid with their lives simply for documenting the truth. Their work has become one of the few direct windows into what is happening on the ground. “Unfortunately, solidarity from many mainstream media institutions in New Zealand has been limited. There appears to be hesitation, fear of controversy, or political sensitivity around speaking openly on Palestine compared with other global conflicts. “This silence itself becomes part of the problem.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-118898" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Luxon-and-journalism-APR-680wide-1.png" alt="A demonstration placard last weekend against Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's weakness over Palestine and condemning Israeli oppression against Gazan journalists" width="680" height="554" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Luxon-and-journalism-APR-680wide-1.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Luxon-and-journalism-APR-680wide-1-300x244.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Luxon-and-journalism-APR-680wide-1-516x420.png 516w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> A demonstration placard last weekend against Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s stance over Palestine and condemning Israeli oppression against Gazan journalists. Image: Pacific Media Watch An independent New Zealand journalist who has been based in the occupied West Bank for two periods during the Israeli war on Gaza — in 2024 for two months and again last year – is also unimpressed with the local reportage. Video and photojournalist Cole Martin from Ōtautahi Christchurch believes there is a serious lack of understanding in New Zealand media of the context of the structural and institutional violence towards the Palestinians. “It is a media scene in Aotearoa that repeats very harmful and inaccurate narratives,” Martin says. “Also, there is this idea to be unbiased and neutral in a conflict, both perspectives must have equal legitimacy.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-104984 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Anas-al-Sharif-AJ-680wide.png" alt="Al Jazeera's northern Gaza reporter Anas al-Sharif" width="680" height="483" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Anas-al-Sharif-AJ-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Anas-al-Sharif-AJ-680wide-300x213.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Anas-al-Sharif-AJ-680wide-100x70.png 100w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Anas-al-Sharif-AJ-680wide-591x420.png 591w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Al Jazeera Arabic’s northern Gaza reporter Anas al-Sharif . . . known for his frontline reporting, he was assassinated by Israeli forces on 10 August 2025. Image: Al Jazeera screenshot APR Israel regularly condemned Reporters Without Borders has regularly condemned Israel for refusing to allow journalists from international media into Gaza, except on rare occasions embedded with Israeli military — they saw merely what Tel Aviv wanted them to see. RSF has joined unsuccessful legal proceedings led by the Foreign Press Association (FPA) at Israel’s Supreme Court to challenge the ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza. It has also file multiple complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) calling for investigations into war crimes against journalists. Minto believes New Zealand journalism is generally embedded with the “built-in bias of Western media” and with very few exceptions local journalists “are as complicit as journalists overseas”. “I’m the first to admit it’s not easy for journalists to speak up and confront the bias — it’s easier to look the other way. “Having said that I can’t understand why they would not report on Gaza journalists receiving awards for heroic reporting in circumstances when they know they are on an Israeli hit list. Journalistic solidarity based on fearless reporting which speaks truth to power is sorely missing.” In general, says Minto, New Zealand journalists wait until Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or US President Donald Trump make a statement before they report anything on Gaza or Palestine. “And it’s not just reporting on the genocide in Gaza. Again and again I hear stories from our journalists — particularly in our state broadcaster TVNZ and RNZ — being directed towards reporting stories alleging antisemitism here rather than Islamophobia which is a far greater threat to our social fabric. “It’s as though we never had a terrorist attack in 2019 which killed 51 Muslim worshippers.” Media releases ignored Mainstream news media routinely ignore media releases by Palestinian and solidarity groups. “They are read by news editors and chief reporters but are otherwise disregarded,” admits Minto. “In fact, pretty much the only time our mainstream media report on PSNA is when we are attacked by the pro-Israel lobby as they did when we opposed Israeli soldiers coming here for rest and recreation from the genocide in Gaza or when we were attacked for ‘selective morality’ by an Iranian supporter of the old despotic Shah of Iran. “On the other hand, our media releases are avidly read by our supporters and get good pickup on social media.” While there was a fierce pushback by pro-Israel groups over PSNA’s controversial “Genocide Hotline” in New Zealand media, there was a more sympathetic response by many international media. In fact, many campaigns in other countries, partly due to the inspiration of the Hind Rajab Foundation (HRF), are going further and actively seeking prosecutions of dual-citizen Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers on rest and recreation to their countries. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-110234 size-full" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Hind-Rajab-Onlylorem28Jan25-300tall.png" alt="The five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, shot 355 times by Israeli soldiers on 29 January 2024" width="300" height="389" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Hind-Rajab-Onlylorem28Jan25-300tall.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Hind-Rajab-Onlylorem28Jan25-300tall-231x300.png 231w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> The five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, shot 355 times by Israeli soldiers on 29 January 2024 . . . a meme a year later. Image: @Onlyloren/Instagram The Brussels-based foundation is dedicated to “breaking the cycle Israeli impunity and achieving justice for all the victims of the Gaza genocide” — more than 72,000 people so far, mostly women and children. It was established to honour the memory of five-year-old Hind Rajab who was murdered along with her family on January 29, 2024, in a brutal act of genocidal violence by the IDF. Hind survived the initial attack, but was left trapped in a car alongside the bodies of her family. Her cries for help were broadcast to the world before being killed by an Israeli tank crew. An investigation found that the car was hit by 335 bullets. The inhumanity of this act has been captured in the 2025 docudrama film The Voice of Hind Rajab. Hasbara propaganda The PSNA and other groups have regularly complained to TVNZ and the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) about the “appalling reporting” and “systemic bias”, but with little success. At a national hui in Rotorua earlier this month, the PSNA discussed plans to step up its campaign to push back against Israeli disinformation in response to the Knesset’s approval last month of a fivefold budget boost to $730 million for Hasbara — Israeli “public policy”, or propaganda. In spite of the many obstacles, Maher Nazzal says public awareness about the Palestine struggle has grown significantly in Aotearoa as well as globally: “Community movements, independent journalists, academics, and grassroots organisations have helped challenge dominant narratives and push for more balanced coverage and accountability.” To improve media coverage, Nazzal would like to see a greater inclusion of Palestinian perspectives, stronger journalistic independence, and willingness to apply universal human rights standards consistently, regardless of who the victims are. Dr David Robie is convenor of the Asia Pacific Media Network’s Pacific Media Watch project, a former media professor and who previously worked as a journalist and editor with several global news agencies, including Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Gemini News Service. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by Pacific Media Watch.
Why Have Immigration Agents Detained This American Citizen Three Times?
The post Why Have Immigration Agents Detained This American Citizen Three Times? appeared first on ProPublica.
Leonardo Garcia Venegas Sarahbeth Maney/ProPublica When immigration agents pulled U.S. citizen Leonardo Garcia Venegas from his car this month and shackled him, he wasn’t surprised. He wasn’t scared. He was tired. As ProPublica detailed last fall, he had already been detained twice before. A year ago, Garcia Venegas was filming his brother’s arrest during a raid on their coastal Alabama construction site when he was tackled by agents, who ignored his pleas that he was a citizen. A few weeks later, an officer entered the home Garcia Venegas was building and refused to trust the now-26-year-old’s Alabama REAL ID, which only citizens and legal residents can get. Videos of the incidents went viral. He appeared before Congress. He also has a suit pending against the Trump administration. But all the attention hasn’t changed much. On May 2, agents followed him back to his home. They again didn’t believe his claims of citizenship or the REAL ID he once again tried to show them. Now, after that latest detention, Garcia Venegas sounds demoralized. “Honestly, it feels terrible,” Garcia Venegas told ProPublica. The mental burden of wondering when it will happen again weighs on him, bringing stress and depression. “I drive to work every morning and I know, at any moment, they could pull me over again.” Garcia Venegas, a U.S. citizen, was recently detained for a third time by immigration authorities. Joanna Shan/ProPublica While immigration sweeps have receded from the headlines, Garcia Venegas’ most recent incident highlights how the mistaken detention of Americans has continued despite congressional inquiries and denials by senior immigration officials. Days after Garcia Venegas’ latest detention, masked agents tackled an American teen in the Bronx. When they finally realized he was a citizen, they left him in an unfamiliar neighborhood, bloody and bruised. The same week both citizens were held, administration officials spoke on a panel at a border security conference in Phoenix and downplayed and denied that citizens have been mistakenly detained. Recordings of the conference were shared with ProPublica. “Since the start of this administration, we have not had any arrests of U.S. citizens for false identification, where we thought they were an illegal alien but they were actually a U.S. citizen,” said Matthew Elliston, a top Immigration and Customs Enforcement official. “That’s happened zero times.” In another panel, the outgoing head of ICE, Todd Lyons, acknowledged immigration agents sometimes detained American citizens in cases where those citizens allegedly put “hands on law enforcement.” He also said the arrests operated as “a deterrent.” As ProPublica and others have reported, citizens — including Garcia Venegas — accused of assaulting officers have not always been charged with assault. Video footage has often also contradicted Department of Homeland Security claims that its agents were attacked. In response to questions from ProPublica, a DHS spokesperson said in a statement that despite the shackles, Garcia Venegas was “NOT detained.” The statement continued: “ICE conducted a routine vehicle stop on a car registered to an illegal alien. After Venegas’ identity was established, he was released.” DHS also stated that the teen in the Bronx was “NOT arrested” but rather “temporarily detained.” The agency said it is “NOT arresting U.S. citizens by mistake. DHS enforcement operations are highly targeted.” But it’s not clear what, if any, intel agents have used in the repeated detention of Garcia Venegas. Garcia Venegas said agents and local law enforcement at the scene blamed him for his most recent arrest because he was driving a car registered to his brother. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="501" width="752" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?w=752" alt="A split image shows a group of law enforcement officers in tactical vests standing around a person near a gray car in a grassy yard, left, and a dark, close-up view of a person’s ankles in metal cuffs inside a vehicle, right." class="wp-image-77371" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/LeoVisualEvidenceV2_maxHeight_3000_maxWidth_3000.jpg?resize=1600,1067 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" /> Immigration agents and local law enforcement with a shackled Garcia Venegas Photos courtesy of Leonardo Garcia Venegas “The officers told me that I risk being stopped again until I register the license plates in my own name,” Garcia Venegas said in a recent filing in his lawsuit. “But the officers could have known immediately that I was not my brother just by checking the REAL ID that was in my hand when they pulled me from the truck and tackled me to the ground.” Garcia Venegas’ incidents bear the hallmarks of what have become known as “Kavanaugh stops.” Those are stops in which, Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh wrote in a case last fall, agents are allowed to stop people based in part on their “apparent ethnicity” (Garcia Venegas is Latino), job (he works in construction) and language (he primarily speaks Spanish). Americans, Kavanaugh said, have no reason to worry. Agents will establish their citizenship and “promptly let the individual go.” (In a later case on another issue, Kavanaugh included a footnote that “officers must not make interior immigration stops or arrests based on race or ethnicity.”) In his latest stop, Garcia Venegas was let go after about 15 minutes. But the fallout is far from over. Even though he was born in Florida and graduated high school in the same county where keeps getting detained, Garcia Venegas sometimes wonders if he should pick up and move to his family’s home in Mexico. “I just want to live in peace,” he said. Last fall, when Garcia Venegas filed his federal lawsuit against the government, he demanded more than compensation. He has insisted agents stop “unconstitutional” raids in his area. The government said in court that the immigration sweeps are “based on reasonable suspicion and probable cause and the Constitution.” ProPublica is still tracking U.S. citizens who are detained by immigration agents. Do you have information about how immigration agents are treating U.S. citizens and children during enforcement operations? Send tips to nicole.foy@propublica.org or on Signal to nicolefoy.27. After Garcia Venegas was held for the third time, his lawyers rushed to update his lawsuit with details of his latest detention. But the government’s lawyers have argued that Garcia Venegas’ case still has no merit. Garcia Venegas also filed a separate claim for damages with the government last fall. He received a denial from ICE in mid-April that contained no explanation. His third detention came roughly two weeks later. During the border security conference this month, the head of Customs and Border Protection, Rodney Scott, was asked about ProPublica’s reporting on citizens’ detentions and how the agency is addressing them. “I’m not going to do anything to not arrest U.S. citizens,” he said. “Because we arrest criminals, period.” The post Why Have Immigration Agents Detained This American Citizen Three Times? appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Nicole Foy.
In a Private Meeting, Colorado Marijuana Regulators Acknowledge the Extent of Illegal Hemp Sales
The post In a Private Meeting, Colorado Marijuana Regulators Acknowledge the Extent of Illegal Hemp Sales appeared first on ProPublica.
Despite regulators’ concerns, Colorado lawmakers abandoned a bill that would have let voters decide whether to overhaul how marijuana products are tested for contaminants. Raymond Boyd/Getty Images A top regulator for Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division acknowledged in a private meeting with industry representatives that the amount of chemically converted hemp being illegally sold as marijuana is far greater than the agency has publicly disclosed. The remarks confirmed testing by The Denver Gazette and ProPublica, which found signs of hemp in marijuana vapes sold at dispensaries, as well as reporting that regulators have discovered that some hemp-derived vapes were contaminated with a toxic chemical. The virtual meeting, an audio recording of which was reviewed by the news organizations, was convened by members of Colorado Leads, a marijuana industry trade group, in March to discuss a problem they said had “metastasized” and now posed an “existential threat” to the nation’s first legal recreational marijuana market. During the meeting, Kyle Lambert, the enforcement division’s deputy senior director, said the number of hemp-derived products is “larger than we can quantify.” He said the agency feared the prevalence of banned hemp was driving down the price of marijuana in the state and helping facilitate the diversion of high-grade marijuana out of Colorado and into the black market in other states. Describing anomalies in the system the state uses to track marijuana production and sales, Lambert told the industry players that the extent of suspicious transactions in the system “would probably explode your minds.” Two weeks after that meeting, the division sent a bulletin to the industry that it plans to crack down on companies that illegally sell cheaper and potentially hazardous hemp products as marijuana and that it would pursue emergency rules. But it hasn’t done so yet, and other reform efforts failed during this year’s legislative session. Despite the regulators’ concerns, Colorado lawmakers, who weren’t at the March briefing, abandoned a bill that would have let voters decide whether to overhaul how marijuana products are tested for contaminants. (The Denver Gazette and ProPublica investigation found that other states have adopted stronger safety measures.) Dominique Mendiola, the senior director of the Marijuana Enforcement Division, said in a statement that the agency has “consistently been proactive in pursuing the necessary rules, legislation and authority to combat this issue.” “Lambert was speaking frankly to highlight the scale and complexity of the problem, as nominal-dollar transactions do not amount to definitive evidence of non-compliance,” Mendiola said. She added that investigations into such transactions require extensive resources and can take significant time. The problem of companies substituting hemp for marijuana dates to 2018, when Congress legalized hemp, a close cousin of marijuana that has only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound that makes people high. Federal lawmakers had hoped to support farmers while satisfying advocates who believe the high levels of the nonintoxicating compound CBD in hemp help with seizures, pain and sleep. But hemp manufacturers quickly figured out how to convert CBD in hemp into THC through a process that involves toxic solvents, creating products that sometimes contain harmful chemicals and that can be more potent than products made from marijuana. Colorado became one of the first states to ban that chemical conversion process and prohibit the sale of intoxicating hemp products to its residents. But manufacturers were allowed to produce hemp products for export to other states, and some companies continue to rely on hemp within Colorado because it is cheaper than using marijuana to make the honey-colored THC distillate that goes into vapes and edibles, industry insiders say. “This has become pervasive to where it’s, like, half the market,” said Jordan Wellington, a marijuana industry lobbyist and consultant, during the meeting with Lambert and a four-person investigative team that handles the agency’s most difficult cases. “We’re past Stage 1 cancer of it being, like, one spot. It’s fully metastasized.” He said “rampant” use of hemp and other illicit material was putting pressure on honest manufacturers to cut corners to survive. “It might be the most important and existential threat we’ve ever faced as an industry,” Wellington said. When the state legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, it promised to establish a “seed-to-sale” system to track marijuana from the initial planting to the purchase of pot, vapes and other products in dispensaries. Close tracking would prevent marijuana grown in Colorado from being diverted to states where it remained illegal, supporters promised. Tracking also was supposed to assure consumers that they were buying safe, quality products. But during the March video conference, Colorado regulators confided to industry lobbyists that the tool for rooting out fraud isn’t working. “There’s a lot of really crap data in there that is hard for us to proactively go take action on,” Lambert said of the tracking system. Extensive fraud in sales transaction reporting likely means the state has lost out on millions of dollars in marijuana excise tax revenue while businesses that follow the law have paid more than their fair share, industry insiders claim. Unprocessed marijuana typically can fetch more than $600 a pound on the open market, depending on the category, but manufacturers often report to the state’s tracking system unrealistic nominal sales, often as low as a penny or dollar a pound, Lambert said. When pressed by regulators, businesses typically defended those valuations, arguing that they had submitted placeholder numbers while they were still negotiating the price of products, Lambert said. The division, which employs 26 investigators to monitor roughly 2,100 marijuana businesses, doesn’t have the resources to investigate all cases adequately, he said. “We’d love to set up, you know, surveillance on places and track vehicles and see where they come from,” he said. “Did they come from a hemp plant? Did it come from here? Where did it go? We’re not resourced or equipped to do those types of investigations.” In April, state Sens. Kyle Mullica, D-Thornton, and Marc Snyder, D–Colorado Springs, introduced the Cannabis Consumer Protection Act, which would have placed a ballot measure before voters this fall to overhaul how marijuana products are tested for contaminants, bringing Colorado in line with other states. The ballot measure would have put private labs in charge of collecting marijuana samples for the testing required before products go to dispensaries. Currently, manufacturers can select their own samples. Regulators have caught companies gaming that system by substituting samples that were different from what they sold in stores or by treating the samples with chemicals. The act also would have shifted oversight of safety and testing from the Marijuana Enforcement Division to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and funded a program in which regulators would randomly collect marijuana products from dispensaries to test them for contaminants. But the legislation collapsed as different segments of the marijuana industry clashed over a provision tucked into the bill that would have increased taxes on products with higher amounts of THC. Manufacturers of highly concentrated THC products argued that the proposed potency tax would cut into their profits while lowering costs for manufacturers of edibles like gummies. Consumer safety groups also weren’t satisfied and wanted the bill to be tougher, pushing for a strict cap on potency like Vermont has. Ultimately, the main industry trade group opposed it, and Gov. Jared Polis, through a spokesperson, said he feared the bill would cause too much regulation. The bill died, though Snyder, the cosponsor of Senate Bill 26-161, said he plans to revisit the issue in the 2027 legislative session. Snyder said he had hoped to give regulators more tools to tackle fraud. “One of the problems in being first, like Colorado was, into the legalizing of cannabis,” he said, “is that you have to learn all the unintended consequences and unforeseen outcomes the hard way.” The post In a Private Meeting, Colorado Marijuana Regulators Acknowledge the Extent of Illegal Hemp Sales appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Christopher Osher.
At 17, He Was Tear-Gassed at Selma. At 78, He’s Watching Kids Tear-Gassed During Trump’s Deportation Campaign.
The post At 17, He Was Tear-Gassed at Selma. At 78, He’s Watching Kids Tear-Gassed During Trump’s Deportation Campaign. appeared first on ProPublica.
Charles Mauldin was near the front of the line to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965, a day that became known as “Bloody Sunday” after police brutally beat demonstrators. Charity Rachelle for ProPublica Charles Mauldin remembers that his lungs felt like they were imploding when he breathed in tear gas more than 60 years ago. It was Sunday, March 7, 1965, when Mauldin, who was 17, joined hundreds of other demonstrators in a march from Selma, Alabama, to the state Capitol in Montgomery to demand voting rights for Black Americans. Mauldin stood near the front of the line — just two rows behind John Lewis, who would go on to become a civil rights icon and U.S. representative — when the march attempted to cross Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge. Law enforcement officers waited on the other side. They ordered the group to disperse. After about a minute and half, Mauldin said, police began to attack the demonstrators with billy clubs. They also launched tear gas into the crowd, which included teenagers like Mauldin. “We didn’t know what to expect,” Mauldin recalled. “I was fearful. We had to put ourselves in a place beyond fear.” Now 78, Mauldin watches the news and sees videos and pictures of children being tear-gassed again — not by local police in 1965, but by federal immigration officers in 2026. “Having people like ICE treat people the way we were treated 61 years ago, it’s horrible,” Mauldin said. “It’s traumatizing for young kids, and I’m just starting to realize how traumatizing it is for me.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="766" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="Hands hold a framed black-and-white photograph of a line of people walking across a bridge." class="wp-image-77884" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 2879w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,575 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,281 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,368 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,372 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,351 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,501 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,766 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,533 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260428-Rachelle-ICE-Kids-Tear-Gassed-6-PDedit_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1066 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Mauldin holds a photograph of demonstrators crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965. Mauldin is in the third row of people, in the center of the photograph, looking at the camera. Civil rights icon John Lewis is in the first row at the right. Charity Rachelle for ProPublica <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="777" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="A black-and-white photograph shows a line of police officers advancing from the left side with billy clubs drawn and a group of Black men standing together on the right side. A crowd of people look on in the background." class="wp-image-77885" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,203 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,519 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,692 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1038 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,1384 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,583 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,285 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,373 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,377 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,356 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,508 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,777 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1352 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,270 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,541 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,811 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-05-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1082 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Police advance on the demonstrators. Mauldin is second from the right. “I was fearful. We had to put ourselves in a place beyond fear,” he said. Spider Martin/The Spider Martin Civil Rights Collection We reached out to Mauldin because we recently published an investigation that found at least 79 children have been physically harmed by tear gas and pepper spray during President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. The children include a 6-month-old baby who briefly stopped breathing, a 12-year-old boy who developed hives and a 17-year-old who suffered from a severe asthma attack. They were mostly going about their days when they were exposed to the tear gas or pepper spray. The 6-month-old was in his family’s car when a tear gas canister rolled underneath it, and the 12- and 17-year-olds were in their respective homes. There is no national standard governing the use of tear gas and pepper spray, leaving federal immigration officers with more latitude to deploy the weapons than some local police departments have. In many of the cases where children were harmed, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said, the officers were justified in using tear gas or pepper spray, but they did not address how the weapons affected bystanders, including children. “DHS does NOT target children,” the agency said in a written statement. Read More Kids Are Being Harmed by Tear Gas, Pepper Spray Under Trump. There Could Be Long-Term Consequences. “DHS is taking appropriate and constitutional measures to uphold the rule of law and protect our officers and the public from dangerous rioters,” a spokesperson for the agency said. “We remind the public that rioting is dangerous. Obstructing law enforcement is a federal crime and assaulting law enforcement is a federal crime and felony.” We interviewed dozens of witnesses and people with firsthand knowledge of the harm, reviewed videos from bystanders and officer-worn cameras, and closely examined lawsuits. And we kept asking experts: Have children ever been harmed by tear gas or pepper spray on the scale we’re seeing now? Is this unprecedented? We quickly realized there is no single entity that tracks every instance when law enforcement officers use tear gas or pepper spray. There is no requirement to identify or follow up with the people who were harmed. We also learned that there isn’t much research on the long-term consequences of exposure to these weapons. Some historians we spoke with suggested the Civil Rights Movement as a point of comparison. So, we turned to Mauldin to help us understand how being tear-gassed as a teenager during that time has affected him. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="776" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="A black-and-white photograph of a scene that is obscured by a cloud of tear gas. Two police officers and one other man are visible. Another person is barely visible in the haze as they fall to the ground." class="wp-image-77886" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,203 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,519 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,692 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1037 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,1383 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,583 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,285 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,373 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,377 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,356 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,508 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,776 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1351 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,270 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,540 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,810 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Selma-Is-Now-13-_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1081 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Tear gas fired by police wafts through the air on “Bloody Sunday.” Spider Martin/The Spider Martin Civil Rights Collection As police began beating people around him, Mauldin said, he remembers Lewis being struck over the head with a club. “I’ll never forget the sound of his head being cracked,” he recalled. Then, troopers turned to tear gas. “What tear gas does, it makes your skin burn, it forces you to run away from it — it makes your lungs seem to implode,” Mauldin continued. He got as low to the ground as possible. Then, he said, he and others ran to the river and eventually made their way back to the Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church. There was “nothing to do unless you can escape it,” Mauldin said. “It’s a pretty harrowing experience, especially for kids.” In the years after Mauldin was tear gassed, he was diagnosed with asthma. There’s no research that shows tear gas as the cause of an asthma diagnosis, but it’s technically possible since the chemicals can cause lung injury, Sven Jordt, a professor at Duke University School of Medicine who’s an expert on tear gas, told ProPublica. In one of the court declarations we read as part of our reporting, the mother of the 12-year-old who broke out in hives said her son also developed “chronic respiratory issues” and now needed an inhaler after months of breathing in tear gas that seeped into their home. The family lives near an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon, where federal officers routinely shot chemical munitions at protesters. Another parent living near an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, told us she’s taken her 7-year-old daughter to urgent care about five times since last fall, when officers repeatedly used tear gas against protesters. “She’s been complaining about her throat,” the mother said of her daughter. “It gets to the point she can’t breathe.” For Mauldin, who said he is the last living person from the front of the line on that Sunday in 1965, being tear-gassed at a young age left an emotional toll — one he said he is still coming to terms with. Experts we spoke with emphasized how important it is for children who were recently tear-gassed or pepper-sprayed to seek help for their mental health. That includes children who were not only directly harmed by these chemicals but also those who saw other people hurt by law enforcement, said Dr. Sarita Chung of Boston Children’s Hospital, who studies pediatric disaster preparedness and response. “Without support, this could be a lifelong burden.” At first, children may struggle to sleep or eat, or have difficulty concentrating after experiencing a traumatic event, said Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. That’s especially true for younger children who can’t grasp what’s happening, he said. These reactions may dissipate over time, but the core event may stick with a child for much longer: “Some of them will remember this for a very, very, very long time.” Mauldin only recently began sharing his experience about what happened at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, an event of police brutality that became known as “Bloody Sunday.” Processing that trauma began after visiting the bridge some years ago with historians, who Mauldin said helped get him to open up memories and emotions he had suppressed. “If you don’t realize it, and you don’t get help with it … it’ll limit your experience to grow and be the best that you can be,” Mauldin said. “You have to be able to kill a part of yourself to be able to sustain that trauma.” The post At 17, He Was Tear-Gassed at Selma. At 78, He’s Watching Kids Tear-Gassed During Trump’s Deportation Campaign. appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Maya Miller.
Nebraska wonders which is riskier: The fires it starts, or the fires it fights
Fires have burned nearly a million acres in Nebraska this year. Are even more the solution?
As the fast-moving blaze rolled toward Fire Chief Jason Schneider’s district in Cozad, Nebraska, he and his crew faced a literal uphill battle. The Cottonwood Fire was tearing through the Loess Canyons, an area defined by steep slopes, narrow valleys, few roads, and pockets of invasive eastern red cedar trees, which can throw embers and ash and even explode when they burn. “You think you would have it put out, and you keep on moving north, and you’d look back south and it’s just going again behind you,” Schneider said of the March blaze. But the situation started to improve when Schneider’s crew connected with the South Loup Burn Association, a group of landowners and ranchers who were also fighting the fire. They showed Schneider and his volunteer crew how to do back burns — setting controlled, low blazes in the path ahead of the Cottonwood Fire to consume any flammable material — to contain the wildfire. About 92 percent of Nebraska’s fire departments listed with the National Fire Department Registry are volunteer-based. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CottonwoodFire_1_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="A drip torch owned by Austin Klemm was used to help contain the Cottonwood Fire that burned in Nebraska's Dawson, Lincoln, and Frontier counties in March." data-caption="A drip torch owned by Austin Klemm was used to help contain the Cottonwood Fire that burned in Nebraska’s Dawson, Lincoln, and Frontier counties in March. " data-credit="Courtesy of Austin Klemm"/> A drip torch owned by Austin Klemm was used to help contain the Cottonwood Fire that burned in Nebraska’s Dawson, Lincoln, and Frontier counties in March. Courtesy of Austin Klemm “It would have burned a lot more if they hadn’t showed up and helped us get it stopped where we did,” Schneider said. Unlike other parts of the country where wildfire season peaks in summer and late fall, Nebraska is set ablaze in the spring. This year has marked the state’s worst on record. As of May 6, conflagrations burned about 981,502 acres and dealt a blow to ranchers. They also brought to the forefront the growing debate over a controversial and centuries-old land management practice: using fire to fight fire. The Cottonwood Fire, contained by prescribed burn techniques and past prescribed fires, made the case for the practice. But during the same month, separated by just a county, heavy winds turned the smoldering remnants of a prescribed burn in the Nebraska National Forest into the Road 203 wildfire, which devoured nearly 36,000 acres. Decades of fire mismanagement and climate change have primed America’s landscapes to burn. Today, fire districts, land managers, and local authorities from California to Florida to New Jersey are increasingly embracing the use of prescribed burns to prevent the most severe blazes. According to the National Association of State Foresters and the Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina burned between 250,001 and 1 million acres, while California, Washington, Oregon, and Arizona burned between 50,001 and 250,000 acres, in 2020 alone. In the Great Plains, these burns are now common practice in states like Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, said Dirac Twidwell, a rangeland and fire ecologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In Nebraska, too, particularly in east and central parts of the state. The Nebraska Prescribed Fire Council estimates that 2025 saw the most acres burned by prescribed fire in one year during recent times. But in areas of the state like the western Sandhills, the practice has sparked backlash. “There was a [prescribed burn] group that tried to establish a couple of years ago up around the Tryon, Mullen area up in there. And they almost lynched that group,” Keystone-Lemoyne Fire and Rescue Chief Ralph Moul said. “They said ‘No, we do not want fire in the Sandhills,’ because there’s nothing to stop it up here.” Despite the fear, there is overwhelming evidence that prescribed burns, when done correctly, can help prevent massive wildfires by burning up volatile fuels like cedar trees. They can also replenish nutrients in soils, making the land ecologically healthier, boosting plant and wildlife diversity and saving ranchers money. The grass that comes back after a burn is often preferred by cattle. “The wildfires you’ve seen here in Nebraska the last few years are also a consequence of removing fire from the landscape,” said Kent Pfeiffer, program manager for the Northern Prairies Land Trust. “You don’t get rid of fire, you just change the nature of it … instead of having frequent low-intensity fires, you end up with infrequent, high-intensity fires.” <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/burns_drought_map_fires.png?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="a map of Nebraska showing drought extremity levels by color alongside shapes of wildfires" data-caption="Nebraska’s mild and dry winter set up the state for major wildfires early this spring. " data-credit="Graphic by Quentin Lueninghoener of Hanscom Park Studios for the Flatwater Free Press. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor and wildfire.gov"/> Nebraska’s mild and dry winter set up the state for major wildfires early this spring. Graphic by Quentin Lueninghoener of Hanscom Park Studios for the Flatwater Free Press. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor and wildfire.gov The issue is growing more urgent as the state faces dual threats. Suppression of natural fires has allowed cedar woodlands to creep into Nebraska’s native grasslands, with more large swaths at risk and an already costly headache for ranchers. Meanwhile, climate change is bringing more extreme conditions, including intense stretches of drier and hotter weather that can fuel more destructive, less controllable blazes. “What we know is that overall, our fire management is not working,” Twidwell said. Tucker Thompson was in his 30s back in the early 2000s when he first helped out on a prescribed burn on another person’s property near Gothenburg. The rancher, who summers cattle in the Loess Canyons, knew some neighbors would be upset, but cedar trees were starting to sprout across his land. He wanted to get ahead of the problem, and he was curious. By today’s standards, the group’s equipment was basic and their knowledge limited. Even though everything went fine, Thompson left thinking the entire practice was insane. He went home and took a chainsaw to the cedar trees across about 400 acres of his property. “I’m like, ‘I am never going to be responsible for another fire,’” Thompson said. “And then five years later, they all start coming back. Ten years later, it’s like, I have no choice. There’s no way of killing these dang things, so I burned them.” Now, Thompson continues the practice and is a member of two burn groups. He helped firefighters contain the Cottonwood Fire, even as it ravaged his grazing lands. Prescribed burns “decrease the fuel load in these canyons, so we can control these fires to some degree,” Thompson said. The Loess Canyons area has one of the most advanced prescribed fire cultures in the entire country, Twidwell said. It has reduced the risk of catastrophic fire and made the land more suitable for grazing, which has boosted landowners’ profits. Up until the last 150 years, fire was common in Nebraska. Wildfires would naturally control species like eastern red cedar, and Indigenous peoples would run prescribed burns to clear underbrush, remove dead biomass, replenish soil nutrients, and encourage new plant growth. Prescribed burn associations, nonprofits, and state, federal, and municipal agencies burned more than 92,700 acres in prescribed fires in the first six months of 2025 alone, according to a survey by the Nebraska Prescribed Fire Council. It’s likely the most acres burned through prescribed fire in the state in one year during recent times, the council said. But conducting these burns requires a lot of planning, monitoring, money, machinery, and manpower. And even when it comes together, a change in weather can cancel the whole operation on a moment’s notice. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP23236538176229_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="Brian Sprenger checks on his cattle Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Sidney, Neb." data-caption="Brian Sprenger checks on his cattle in 2023, in Sidney, Nebraska. Cedar trees are creeping into the state’s grasslands, fueling more several wildfires. " data-credit="AP Photo / Brittany Peterson"/> Brian Sprenger checks on his cattle in 2023, in Sidney, Nebraska. Cedar trees are creeping into the state’s grasslands, fueling more several wildfires. AP Photo / Brittany Peterson Semi-retired rancher Jon Immink coordinates burns across multiple landowners’ properties near the Nebraska-Kansas border to help manage cedar trees. He plans years ahead as he maps out which plots of land need to burn when, typically in the stretch from January to March. “I do not sleep well in burn season. You wake up 4 o’clock in the morning and all you can think of is … you prepare for what could go wrong,” Immink said. In order to conduct a land management burn, a landowner or tenant has to apply for a permit and submit a burn plan to their local fire chief, who decides whether to waive Nebraska’s standing open burn ban. By law, the plan requires a lot of documentation and forethought, including a list of on-hand equipment and a description of the weather conditions needed to burn safely. Fairbury Fire Chief Judd Stewart’s jurisdiction is filled with landowners and managers who use prescribed burns. Stewart had to cancel 40 to 50 burn permits in March when Governor Jim Pillen ordered a temporary statewide halt in issuing due to the devastating wildfires. Stewart wishes the governor would have given more consideration to areas like southeast Nebraska, where fire danger was lower. “These areas that people had this heavy vegetation, and now they still have that heavy vegetation, but they’ve got new grasses growing in it, and it makes it very difficult to burn,” Stewart said. “As we approach mid- to late summer, when we start getting high temperatures … that vegetation will carry fire again, and now we’ve got those heavy fuel loads that are going to be hard to contain.” The governor’s order has impacted landowners and managers who have invested thousands of dollars, conducted years of planning, and deferred grazing for prescribed burns that might now have to wait another year, said Austin Klemm, board member of the South Loup Burn Association, the group that helped Schneider and others contain the Cottonwood Fire. Right now, he is working with about six landowners who have invested roughly $250,000 to $275,000 to plan a burn that might not happen this year. “Some of these guys have invested tens of thousands of dollars in prep work to be able to burn,” Klemm said. “These guys have deferred grazing, did not graze at all last year, had to go find a place to stick cows or feed cows all last year.” Becky Potmesil doesn’t have to look far to see the devastation wildfire can cause. Potmesil raises cattle in the Alliance area of the Panhandle, on the western edge of the Sandhills. To the south, the Morrill Fire burned an estimated 642,000 acres, making it the largest on record in the state’s history. To the southeast, the Ashby Fire burned another 36,000 acres. The winds have blown away the black, burnt grass, leaving behind only sand dunes. It looks like a moonscape, she said. “Anybody who’d do a prescribed burn out here in the [western] Sandhills in western Nebraska is crazy, and it’s dangerous,” she said. While she sees how there could be benefits in some parts, like the meadows, she doesn’t think it would be worth the risk in her area. Moul, the Keystone-Lemoyne Fire Chief, is cautious about issuing burn permits in his district, especially in the Sandhills. He likes for there to either be snow or green grass on the ground. Unlike in other parts of the state, the Sandhills have fewer fire breaks, less infrastructure, and more extreme weather conditions like high-speed winds and very little humidity, Moul and Potmesil noted. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PrescribedBurn_2_AustinKlemm_cropped.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="A prescribed burn conducted south of Callaway, Nebraska in 2022 by the South Loup Burn Association." data-caption="A prescribed burn conducted south of Callaway, Nebraska, in 2022 by the South Loup Burn Association. " data-credit="Courtesy of Austin Klemm"/> A prescribed burn conducted south of Callaway, Nebraska, in 2022 by the South Loup Burn Association. Courtesy of Austin Klemm Moul, who was an incident commander on the Morrill Fire, understands that prescribed fire has its place if it is done safely. However, after seeing damages from prescribed burns escaping in his career, he said fire chiefs should not allow prescribed burns on or right before red flag days in their districts. “Some of these burn groups, they’ve been burning for years and years and years. For the most part, they know what they’re doing out there, but there are a few, like I said, that have convinced these fire chiefs to write the permit on red flag days, because that’s when they get the best kill of the trees,” Moul said. “But it was my experience when I worked with the state that we went to a lot of escaped fires because of prescribed burns that got away.” The Road 203 wildfire initially started as a prescribed burn in the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest. More than a day after the fire ignitions ended, heavy winds created a spot fire outside the original boundary as firefighters mopped up and patrolled the area, according to the Forest Service. The agency said 99.84 percent of its prescribed burns go according to plan. This one didn’t. According to the Nebraska Prescribed Fire Council’s survey last year, 1.6 percent of burns surveyed escaped and required outside assistance, primarily from volunteer fire departments. Changing weather patterns and the spread of cedar trees are the primary reasons for escapes, the Fire Council said in an email. “When the gap between prescribed fire acres and fuel load increases, it also increases fire behavior in both prescribed fire and wildfires, causing us to adapt to riskier burns with increased planning and equipment,” the Fire Council said. When Twidwell came to Nebraska in 2013, he was told prescribed fire would never be used in the Sandhills. Since then, he’s seen multiple burns happen there as the culture continues to shift. He knows some landowners will never be convinced, and he understands their concern. But beyond protecting the grasslands, Twidwell believes Nebraska needs to have more conversations on how to mitigate the large wildfires that have torn through the state. “Everybody understands … the wildfire risk playing out. Fewer understand the benefits and why certain groups are using prescribed fire,” Twidwell said. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Nebraska wonders which is riskier: The fires it starts, or the fires it fights on May 15, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Anila Yoganathan.
The surprising climate fix that Democrats and Republicans both love
Politicians across the spectrum want more housing. Apartments are a great answer, because they also slash carbon emissions in a big way.
Democrats and Republicans agree on virtually nothing at this point, except the desperate need to build more housing in the United States. Depending on your viewpoint, the country needs new domiciles because it puts people to work and stimulates local economies, or because it creates affordable homes and drives down housing costs, thus reducing homelessness. Affordability, including in housing, is now one of the biggest political issues in America. Neither party, though, is talking about the secret superpower of new apartment buildings: They’re much better for the planet than constructing single-family homes. According to a new report, these units are “an almost automatic form of building decarbonization,” because three-quarters of new apartments are heated electrically. That means they can run on rooftop solar panels or tap into grids humming with clean energy, instead of burning plant-warming natural gas in furnaces or boilers. While the Trump administration and the Republican Party at large try to roll back as much climate progress as they can, they’re inadvertently bolstering that progress by calling for new construction. Deep-red Montana, for instance, recently passed a flurry of bills to get more multi-family housing built. “Apartments are the climate solution hiding in plain sight,” said Alan Durning, executive director of the nonprofit Sightline Institute, which authored the report. Nothing against single-family homes, but apartment buildings and condos are much more efficient for a number of reasons. For one, residents share walls, floors, and ceilings with their neighbors, surrounding them with excellent insulation. Secondly, the square footage of each unit tends to be smaller than detached homes, so there’s less air to manage. Accordingly, it takes less energy to climate-control apartment units and keep people comfortable: The typical resident of a downtown high-rise emits one-third as much greenhouse gases as a resident of a detached house in the suburbs. Because of this inherent efficiency, apartment builders have for decades opted to install what’s called electric resistance heating, like baseboard heaters, instead of gas furnaces. That’s because wiring them up is cheaper than piping in all that methane. “If I am building something with the intention of renting it, I really want to minimize my upfront costs,” said Amanda D. Smith, senior scientist at the climate solutions nonprofit Project Drawdown, who studies the built environment but wasn’t involved in the new report. “Often electric water heaters and electric heaters for space heating make sense from that perspective.” Economic forces, then, have long encouraged the adoption of such systems: 68 percent of apartments built since the early 1970s have been heated with electricity, the report notes. Half a century ago, no one was campaigning to decarbonize buildings to fight climate change — going electric was just the better option. Today, if you live in an apartment, you’re 60 percent more likely to be all-electric than your neighbor living in a house. And apartments can get even greener. Heat pumps — which move warmth from outdoor air inside, instead of generating it like a gas furnace does — are around three times more efficient than space heaters. Over the past few decades, the technology has gotten more powerful, capable of extracting heat from even freezing outdoor air. That’s helped heat pumps proliferate across even the chilliest climes: Maine installed 100,000 of the appliances two years ahead of schedule, and almost two-thirds of households in Norway use them. Heat pumps are increasingly popping up in American apartment buildings, too: While quite rare in the decades after the 1950s, heat pumps have been incorporated into 18 percent of these structures in the Northwest since 2010, the report notes. (Overall, heat pumps have outsold gas furnaces in the U.S. for several years now.) While traditional electric heat pumps work like air conditioners, in that you need an outdoor unit that connects to an indoor one, new varieties are easier to incorporate into apartments and condos. One from a company called Gradient fits like a saddle over a window sill and plugs into a regular outlet, with installation taking less than a half hour. (Think of it like those old-school AC units jutting out of city apartment windows, only much cooler looking.) Another launching this winter combines the two units into one attached to an interior wall, where it exchanges air with the outside. “Making retrofits simpler will be a game-changer,” Smith said. If new buildings in hotter parts of the U.S. rely upon gas heating, they’d still need an air conditioning system. The beauty of a heat pump is that it can reverse in the summer to fill a home with cool air. As temperatures rise across the country, heat pumps will not only work more efficiently than space heaters and gas furnaces to warm apartments, but to provide invaluable cooling to keep people healthy. Already in the U.S., heat kills more people every year than all other forms of extreme weather combined. Making a building’s heating fully electric encourages the adoption of another appliance critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions: the induction stove. “If you’re building a building and you’re heating and cooling with heat pumps, it doesn’t really make sense to hook it up to the gas system to pipe a tiny bit of gas in for people to cook on their gas stoves a couple of times a week,” said Matt Casale, managing director of states and regions at the nonprofit Building Decarbonization Coalition, which wasn’t involved in the report. All this electrification could potentially slot into a burgeoning technology known as networked geothermal. Instead of a building’s heat pump using outdoor air, it uses liquid pumping underground. Because the earth’s temperature remains a more consistent temperature year-round than the air, these heat pumps are even more efficient at warming a space. If all of an area’s buildings — apartments or otherwise — are hooked into a networked geothermal system, there’s no need to pipe gas into the neighborhood at all. “It’s a real community-based energy system, and you’re using energy that’s literally homegrown,” Casale said. “It’s right under your feet.” Beyond their superior energy efficiency and tendency to go electric, apartment buildings provide denser housing, fitting far more people into a footprint than a single-family home could manage. If located near daily essentials, like grocery stores, residents can walk instead of drive, further reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ideally, robust public transportation systems can get those apartment-dwellers anywhere they can’t walk to. Building big apartment buildings of just apartments, though, just won’t cut it, said Cécile Faraud, head of the clean construction program at C40, a global network of climate-focused mayors. These structures need mixed uses, where living spaces sit atop commercial spaces, like markets and doctors’ offices. “So you can access care, you can access education, you can access your needs in terms of shopping,” said Faraud, who wasn’t involved in the report. “But also in terms of health, so being able to exercise in parks, etc., and access to nature.” Indeed, what surrounds these apartment complexes matters too. Green spaces reduce temperatures, boost residents’ mental health, and provide habitats for native plant and animal species. Better yet, “agrihoods” surround working farms with multi-family housing, generating nutritious produce for residents to enjoy or sell. (Faraud stresses that in addition to creating more housing, cities need to retrofit existing buildings to be more energy efficient, like with double-paned windows and better insulation.) Constructing apartments, though, is often way more difficult than it should be, housing advocates say. The new report notes that “apartment buildings of at least four stories are currently allowed on less than 1 percent of the residential land in all but 10 Oregon cities” — even in progressive Portland, that figure is 14 percent. “The main thing that we need to do is re-legalize apartments in a much larger area of our cities,” Durning said. Cities and states are responsible for that, not the feds. But the growing national push from both parties to get more units built will be a win-win for people and the planet. “Even across a political landscape that’s as fractured and divided and as contentious as what we’re seeing now,” Smith said, “I think most people are willing to say: We want people to have homes.” This story was originally published by Grist with the headline The surprising climate fix that Democrats and Republicans both love on May 15, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Matt Simon.
Ukraine’s $2,000 Drone Is Destroying Russia’s $50,000 Shaheds. And Everyone Wants It
Energy bills keep rising. These candidates in Georgia say they can help.
With the state’s energy future hanging in the balance, 10 people are vying for two seats on the powerful utility commission.
Ten candidates are vying for two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission in the May 19 primary. Early voting is already underway. The commission oversees utilities, including telecommunications, natural gas, and electricity, and has final say over how Georgia Power, the state’s largest electric utility, makes energy and what it charges customers. This gives commissioners substantial power over Georgians’ energy bills and the state’s climate future, because burning fossil fuels to make electricity is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. By the PSC’s own description, “very few governmental agencies have as much impact on peoples’ lives as the PSC.” Still, elections for the commission have rarely received much attention. That changed last year. Amid frustration over rising energy bills, voters overwhelmingly ousted two Republican incumbents, sending Democrats to the five-member commission for the first time in 20 years. With two seats up for election again this year, majority control of the commission is at stake. Most candidates, regardless of party, broadly agree on the issues commanding the most attention: that energy bills should be kept in check and that the commission should do more to protect ordinary customers from the costs of powering data centers. But they bring different backgrounds and approaches to the job. District 3 The seat for District 3, which encompasses the metro Atlanta counties of Clayton, Dekalb, and Fulton, was on last year’s ballot, but only for a one-year term. Democrat Peter Hubbard won that election and is now running for reelection as the incumbent. Hubbard told Grist he’s running for reelection because he needs more time to enact changes like expanding renewable energy and ensuring Georgia Power is getting the most out of existing resources before building expensive new ones. A full six-year term, he said, would include the “big, meaty decisions” of Georgia Power’s long-term resource plan and rate case. Hubbard said he wants to take an active role in shaping those plans, rather than reacting to what the utility proposes. “There’s just a baseline to acting as a shield to imprudent spending. But I also think that a proactive commissioner can find even lower-cost solutions than what otherwise would be provided,” he said. Republican Fitz Johnson, who had been the incumbent last year, lost to Hubbard in 2025 and is running against him again. He told Grist at a campaign event that he’s “got some unfinished business.” While most other candidates in the race have said the commission should do more to shield ordinary customers from data center costs, Johnson said the commission has “100 percent, without doubt” protected them. “When it comes to the data centers and the large loads, we put the ratepayers first,” he said. “We said we’re not going to put any burden on our ratepayers.” Read Next <img src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20250422DesotoSolarFarm-194-edited.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" alt="solar panels in a field" class="js-modal-gallery__hidden" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20250422DesotoSolarFarm-194-edited.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1600w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20250422DesotoSolarFarm-194-edited.jpg?resize=1200%2C675&quality=75&strip=all 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20250422DesotoSolarFarm-194-edited.jpg?resize=330%2C186&quality=75&strip=all 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20250422DesotoSolarFarm-194-edited.jpg?resize=768%2C432&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20250422DesotoSolarFarm-194-edited.jpg?resize=1536%2C864&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20250422DesotoSolarFarm-194-edited.jpg?resize=160%2C90&quality=75&strip=all 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20250422DesotoSolarFarm-194-edited.jpg?resize=150%2C84&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" height="900" width="1600" loading="lazy" decoding="async"> Many companies want clean energy. Georgia Power will soon let them build it. Emily Jones During his time on the commission, Johnson voted for the current rate freeze and the contract terms designed to ensure data centers pay for their own infrastructure, though critics argue those protections aren’t enough. He also voted in favor of Georgia Power bill increases that became the focus of last year’s election and for the utility’s multibillion-dollar expansion to serve rising demand coming mostly from data centers. Another Republican, Brandon Martin, is running against Johnson for the party’s nomination. He did not respond to requests for an interview. According to his campaign website, Martin is a graduate of Georgia Tech and now works as a purchasing manager in a “multi-billion dollar industry.” His website stresses the importance of reliable energy for Georgia’s growing economy and calls for electricity generation that’s “flexible and as U.S.-centric as possible” in light of uncertain global fuel markets, though the site does not offer specifics. District 5 District 5 covers a stretch of west Georgia from the Tennessee border south nearly to Columbus. Republican Tricia Pridemore has held the seat since 2018 and is running for U.S. Congress instead of seeking reelection. Three Democrats, three Republicans, and a Libertarian are all running to replace her. All three Democrats stressed that their party’s majority on the commission would bolster support for renewable energy programs. “Two commissioners can demand better analysis. Three can stop the rubber-stamping of utility requests,” said electrical engineer and lawyer Craig Cupid, one of the Democrats running in District 5. He grew up in a working-class family, he said, after his parents immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago to Augusta. “Every penny counted,” Cupid said. “I understand when a rate increase affects someone, particularly lower-income families.” Cupid also emphasized his technical background, saying it gives him the expertise to act as a “watchdog against monopoly utilities.” Democrat Shelia Edwards told Grist that she was inspired to run for a seat on the PSC after getting a power bill of nearly $500. Edwards could pay it, she said, though it was “painful.” “But what about the families that are struggling to keep a roof over their head, or food on the table or medicine?” she said. “How are they gonna afford this situation?” That was in 2022. Edwards won the party’s District 3 primary that year and was preparing to face Fitz Johnson in the general election when it was canceled because of a voting-rights lawsuit. Edwards, who has worked on political campaigns and in local environmental advocacy, is running again in District 5. The third Democrat on the ballot in District 5 is Angelia Pressley, who told Grist she’s running because of the PSC’s “dismissal” of the public’s environmental and cost concerns. “The public has to have more voice,” she said. “There has to be more balance at the commission between business concerns and public concerns.” Pressley said if elected, she plans to host listening sessions around the state to hear Georgians’ concerns and educate them about the work of the commission. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AP24219738440753.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="" data-caption="Sparta residents at a Georgia Public Service Commission hearing. " data-credit="Charlotte Kramon / AP Photo"/> Sparta residents at a Georgia Public Service Commission hearing. Charlotte Kramon / AP Photo The Republican candidates all stressed the importance of reliable energy. They said they support affordable clean energy as part of the utility’s overall mix, but would not impose a renewable mandate. Republican Bobby Mehan has spent most of his career in health care records technology and now works as a mediator. He said that work has taught him “to be open-minded and kind of take this all-the-above approach,” a philosophy he said is key to innovating the energy grid. In a debate hosted by the Atlanta Press Club, Mehan pledged that he would not vote for new rate hikes and pushed his opponents to do the same. “I’m willing to put my neck out there and say, ‘six years, not a single rate increase from Bobby Mehan,’” he said in the April debate. When pressed on the feasibility of that promise, Mehan clarified that he meant he personally wouldn’t vote for rate hikes. Carolyn Roddy is a regulatory lawyer who has worked for the Federal Communications Commission and on a rural electric service program in the first Trump administration. She is also running in the Republican primary for District 5 and told Grist her experience would help her keep utility costs in check. “The Georgia Public Service Commission can do a better job of what they’re doing,” she said. “How dare you impose these kinds of rate increases when people’s family budgets are already stretched really thin?” The commission, she said, should question and guide utilities but should not be either “a big impediment or a big rubber stamp” for their plans. Republican Joshua Tolbert is an engineer who’s worked in several different types of power plants, a perspective he said is missing from the commission. Without specific technical expertise, Tolbert said, commissioners are less able to question and push back on proposals from utilities. That pushback is critical, he said, because Georgia Power is a monopoly, so the commission has to provide the kind of “consequences and feedback” that would normally come from free market competition. The Libertarian party doesn’t have a primary, so the path to November’s election for Libertarian Thomas Blooming is different from the other candidates. He needs signatures from voters to appear on the ballot, though the party can collect those signatures for their slate of candidates as a whole. Blooming is an electrical engineer who’s worked on data centers for Google and Facebook and now works for Utility Innovation Group, which builds microgrids with a focus on decarbonization and resilience. Blooming stressed that he’s not against data centers, but that problems come up when the grid can’t support them. More nuclear energy could be one route to serving data centers, he said. Blooming also highlighted the risks of relying too heavily on any one source of energy. Too much natural gas could drive up costs, he said, while overreliance on renewables could make the grid less reliable. “You have to protect the ratepayers, but you also have to make decisions that keep Georgia Power healthy,” he said. “It doesn’t do anyone any good to just absolutely lock down on Georgia Power and then they’re not able to provide the power that they should.” Rahul Bali contributed to this report. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Energy bills keep rising. These candidates in Georgia say they can help. on May 15, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Emily Jones.
Once dismissed as weeds, native plants are now flying off the shelves
Gardeners across the country are flocking to climate-resilient native plants as concerns about extreme heat, flooding, and pollinators grow.
Renee Costanzo cranked on the rusty pulley with both hands, watching the greenhouse roof creak open in sections. A breeze of spring air swept over 12,000 seedlings lined up in plastic trays in the Kilbourn Park greenhouse. Costanzo, the Chicago Park District’s only full-time employee at the northside greenhouse, spearheads a months-long effort to grow more than 15,000 plants, including vegetables, greens, and flowers, to get them ready in time for the Kilbourn Park’s annual plant sale. The massively popular sale, which took place earlier this month, typically draws upwards of 1,100 people every year, with local gardeners lining up around the park waiting to snatch up plants at $4 a piece. But this year, attendance broke records — over 2,300 shoppers turned out. “We generally start these annuals at the end of February,” said Costanzo, pointing to rows of popular annual flowers like zinnias, marigolds, and geraniums, which provide bright blooms all summer long before dying at the end of the season. “So we’ve been coddling and loving these babies for months now, and we just want to get them into happy homes.” <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070600-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="Volunteers transplant seedlings to prepare for annual sale." data-caption="Volunteers at Kilbourn Park prepare for the Mother’s Day plant sale. " data-credit="Manuel Martinez / WBEZ"/> Volunteers at Kilbourn Park prepare for the Mother’s Day plant sale. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ For decades, Chicago gardeners flocked to the Kilbourn Park sale to pick up tomatoes, cucumbers, and some annuals — the standard starter kit for backyard gardeners. But this year, the park responded to a relatively new demand: Nearly 1 in 5 plants for sale are native plant species that have adapted to the local climate and wildlife and are generally low maintenance. “Just in the last five years, people have asked for more natives, which is why we’ve been increasing our production,” said Costanzo, who experimented with 30 different native species in November ahead of the plant sale this year. For a long time, native plants were seen as little more than weeds, but their value has grown significantly in recent years. Other local plant sales across Chicago and the country are incorporating native species at a pace surprising to even veteran horticulturalists who remember a time when they couldn’t give them away. “I’ve watched this for 44 years, from almost zero to now,” said Neil Diboll, the president of Prairie Nursery, a Wisconsin-based nursery dedicated to growing and shipping native plants across the country. “It’s not a fad,” Diboll said. “This is a long, steady climb.” Last year, Diboll said his nursery experienced a 7 percent increase in native plant sales. This year, they’re shipping out about 500,000 plants and even more seeds. Back in 1982, when Diboll first started selling plants, business was tougher: The company grossed just over $13,000. These days, he said, “you can add a few zeros on there.” That relatively new mainstream demand has been driven, in part, by concerns about dramatic declines in insect species and climate change-powered extreme heat, drought, and flooding. The caterpillars of the Monarch butterfly, for example, depend on native milkweed as a food source. But as land use patterns have changed, local milkweed species have disappeared, leading to recent declines in Monarch populations. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070639-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="Plants in seed trays" data-caption="The Kilbourn Park annual plant sale is now in its 30th year. " data-credit="Manuel Martinez / WBEZ"/> The Kilbourn Park annual plant sale is now in its 30th year. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ “Native plants have been adapting to change for thousands of years,” said Tiffany Jones, who leads habitat education throughout the Great Lakes region for the National Wildlife Federation. “They need less water, less maintenance, and they’re incredibly resilient — not to mention they help flood prevention with their deep root systems and provide habitat for all kinds of crucial species and pollinators. They’re practical and beautiful.” In Minnesota, Becky Klukas-Brewer, co-owner and head of marketing and sales at Prairie Moon Nursery, a popular native plant nursery, said the Midwest greenhouse is shipping more plants and seeds than ever before. “In the last seven years, we have seen a 350 percent increase in sales, which is pretty awesome,” said Klukas-Brewer. At the same time, the 44-year-old nursery has seen its orders triple. She credits that success, in part, to the growing number of local plant sales across the country, drumming up interest in ecologically-minded gardening. For nearly 50 years, Wild Ones, a national nonprofit, has been educating the public about the benefits of reintroducing native plants back into their habitat. What started as a gardening club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has ballooned into a nationwide organization with over 14,000 gardening enthusiasts putting on plant sales, seed giveaways, and exchanges. The group has also been noticing an uptick in native plant sales. Over 110,000 native plants were sold last year through the organization’s 107 plant sales last year, according to Josh Nelson, development director with the Wild Ones. He added that another 40,000 native plants were distributed as part of the group’s various programs. <img decoding="async" src="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" srcset="https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=330 330w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=768 768w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200 1200w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1536 1536w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=160&h=90&crop=1 160w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=640&h=853&crop=1 640w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=96&h=96&crop=1 96w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=150 150w, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KILBOURNPLANTSALE_2605070532-1.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 1024w" alt="A volunteer fills a large bowl with soil." data-caption="Lourdes Valenzuela works on transplanting young plants before Kilbourn Park’s annual plant sale. " data-credit="Manuel Martinez / WBEZ"/> Lourdes Valenzuela works on transplanting young plants before Kilbourn Park’s annual plant sale. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ As the native plant business continues to grow, the annual Kilbourn Park plant sale is helping meet some of that demand. To make it happen, a team of local volunteers came out on a weekly basis over several months to help sort, pot, and move seedlings. “It’s completely worth it,” said Lourdes Valenzuela, a retired schoolteacher who has volunteered at the north side plant sale for 12 years. Valenzuela is part of the Friends of Kilbourn Park Greenhouse, a dedicated group of local volunteers who fundraise to help expand the resources at the nursery. With help from funds collected at previous plant sales, they’ve been able to buy benches, a shed, and even a patio — increasing the footprint of the educational center. The goal this year was to raise $25,000, about half of the total projected cost, for a new outdoor learning center. But Valenzuela said the plant sale was a huge hit, and they easily surpassed the goal. The Chicago Park District confirmed the sale generated approximately $48,000. “We literally sold every possible plant, all the compost, lots of baked goods,” she said. “We’re not fighting against the climate here. We’re working with it because it’s what’s native to this area, and they’re beautiful.” This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Once dismissed as weeds, native plants are now flying off the shelves on May 15, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco.
Grifty Colossus Strikes Again and Again and…
Oh man. Same old clown show, awash with boondoggles, each more cringey than the last. As the mad man-child deconstructs DC and slaps his hideous face and name everywhere - historic buildings, fascist arches, garish statues, possibly imaginary gold pho...
Oh man. Same old clown show, awash with boondoggles, each more cringey than the last. As the mad man-child deconstructs DC and slaps his hideous face and name everywhere - historic buildings, fascist arches, garish statues, possibly imaginary gold phones - others have taken his lead with their own patriotic spinoffs. Cue "Fuck You" upgrades, a Strait to Hell arcade for a video-game war, and a Trump/Epstein "Memorial Reading Room" packed with 3.5 million pages of files, where "the truth is hard to deny." Trump's narcissistic vandalizing of D.C. - couldn't his KKK dad have just hugged him now and then? - is "something dictators have done throughout history," noted Bernie Sanders of his proposed SERVE Act, or Stop Executive Renaming for Vanity and Ego. Co-sponsored by six Senate Dems, the bill would bar any sitting president from naming federal properties after themselves, an act both "arrogant" and illegal. At this rate many weary Americans would likely argue, "Let the chiseling off begin," but for now the bill sits in legislative limbo and we're stuck with the resulting atrocities; they continue to multiply like locusts, even as he's proposed a $10-billion fund for more "beautification" projects around "the capital of the greatest Nation in the history of the world." Though he increasingly nods off in public - or per the White House, blinks - he still clutches at a farcical show of dominance he's leaned on in the endless self-glorification campaign that is his execrable life. There are posts quoting fictional "fans": "Remarkable leadership,” "Master of the Deal,” "THE GREATEST PRESIDENT WE HAVE EVER KNOWN." From the guy who's "confused the country for his living room," there's D.C's re-branding: the plaques, name changes, razed East Wing for a billion-dollar "albatross" nobody wants. There are new massive Stalin-esque banners at construction sites proclaiming, “Thank you, PRESIDENT TRUMP”- "like Michael Scott buying himself a World’s Best Boss coffee mug" we paid for - to which unenthused residents added, "Fuck You Cunt." Snug in a delusional bubble where his approval is def not in the toilet, he feels free to rant, lie, melt down online without consequence. In one manic night, he posts 55 times in three hours: “Arrest Obama the traitor” and “DEMONIC FORCE,” also Hillary, Brennan, Comey, Kelly. Asked how much he thinks about the cost to Americans of his calamitous war, he blurts, “Not even a little bit.” His lackeys follow suit: Ka$h Patel yells, lies, hustles bourbon, pads his stats and takes a "VIP snorkel" in Pearl Harbor around the tomb of 900 U.S. soldiers as Sean Duffy takes his nine offspring on a "patriotic," seven-month Great American Road Trip filmed for YouTube and complete with "head-spinning" corporate sponsorship, both on the taxpayers' now-rapidly-shrinking dime. Meanwhile, another project nobody asked for - draining and repainting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, aka "reflective pond," from traditional grey to garish blue - has shockingly veered off course. After boasting his bestest golf course pool painters could easy-peasy do a no-bid, $1.8 million, "smart and beautiful construction" that Dems stupidly opposed - "Dumacrats love sewage" - the cost has soared to $13.1 million, it's now by a contractor he "did not know and have never used before,” staff are worried the job is behind schedule, with "uneven application" leaving bubbles, holes and "mottled shades of blue" in the pool, and a judge has set a May 21 hearing for a lawsuit charging the project wasn't properly vetted, ditto a color "more appropriate to a resort or theme park." More winning in Miami, where another lawsuit charges three acres of prime waterfront land were illegally grifted by DeSantis to Trump for his presidential “library,” actually a gaudy skyscraper and hotel with no books but more vitally two gold statues of, you know. They will presumably join in grotesque kinship with the $300,000, crypto-bro-funded, bronze and gold leaf Don Colossus just unveiled at Doral Miami, "where the Republic is currently moldering." Before "a robotic chorus of evangelical functionaries who (have) transformed themselves into the most theologically humiliated cohort in modern memory," the statue was honored as, not an idolatrous golden calf, insisted Pastor Mark Burns, but "a celebration of life" and symbol of "the hand of God over (Trump’s) life." Definitely not a cult. Tacky is as tacky doesBluesky screenshot Despite being heralded as God's second favorite son - one who "understands the Scriptures better than the Pope" - Trump is also widely deemed "an economic serial killer" presiding over an "America First Corporate Graveyard," skyrocketing inflation, national debt, farm bankruptcies, and energy costs, and possibly "the largest single act of grand larceny in American history" with a $10 billion payout by his own DOJ against his own IRS to settle his bullshit lawsuit for their leak of his tax returns, which every other president has released. Still, because grifting chutzpah thy name is, and because there's never enough money to fill the ugly gaping hole where a soul should be, he's still running penny-ante scams. Up next: Trump Mobile, "for the forgotten MAGA man." Last June, his huckster spawn announced the launch of "a sleek, gold smartphone engineered for performance.” The T1 Phone, "proudly designed and built in the United States,” would be available in August at $499. For almost a year, they urged followers to make $100 "deposits" to "pre-order" the beauties; over half a million did, ponying up about $59 million. Then, the bait and switch. The terms of service quietly changed: The "deposit" provided "a conditional opportunity" to buy if Trump Mobile chose to sell. Pricing, production schedules, shipping costs were "non-binding." "Made in the USA" became "Proudly American Designed." "Delivery" dates got pushed back. Unexplained charges appeared. A reporter who called "Customer Service" got “Omega Auto Care." To date, no fantasy Trump phones have shipped. Cheap Crooks 'R Us. "Service for the forgotten MAGA man"Image from Bluesky Also, liars. With even neo-cons now deeming the Iran War potentially more of a debacle than Vietnam, the good folks at Secret Handshake, creators of the Trump/Epstein bestie statues, decided that with the regime hyping war like a video game, they might as well turn it into one. Operation Epic Furious: Strait to Hell , which is also online, features three working, arcade video games set up inside DC's War Memorial; they promise "high-octane, flag-waving, boots-on-the-ground...pure pixelated patriotism," or, per Hegseth, "laser-focused maximum reps annihilation mission crushing (with) sustained unrelenting pressure." Battles - by tweet, not gun - pit US forces against ”Iranian schoolgirl,“ "DEIyatollah,“ low-flow shower heads, the Pope and other "threats to American freedom." Games open with Trump declaring, “Another big, beautiful day as the best President ever.” Options for the prompt, “Ready to ROCK Iran back to the Stone Ages?” are “Not Yet...” “Yes” and “Hell Yes.” Yells Pete, “Let’s liberate some oil!” Trump can order a Diet Coke or bomb Iran; search for barrels of oil, ideas for Truth Social posts, or endless threats that lead nowhere; he vows to “fight this war and win it by hamburger o’clock.” Melania: “I WAS NEVER ON THE EPSTEIN JET...Did you burn the files yet?” JD, fat-faced: “I love couch.” The only way you can lose is by trying to hold Melania’s hand, which abruptly ends the game; otherwise, it’s impossible to end or win it. Irony never dies: Images have surfaced of bored National Guardsmen - a $1 million a day deployment - playing. Another piece of protest art brings the truth of "one of the most horrific crimes in American history” to Trump's hometown. "The Donald J. Trump and Jeffrey Epstein Memorial Reading Room,” in New York's Tribeca, is a first-of-its-kind, 5,000-square-foot installation containing all the unsealed Epstein files - 3.5 million pages printed and bound into 3,437 volumes weighing 17,000 pounds, "a physical, undeniable record of corruption, cover-ups, and crime." The pop-up project in the Mriya Gallery was created by the non-profit Primary Facts; it took them about a month to print the files. The exhibit is on view through May 21; admission to groups for a one-hour session is free; organizers are raising funds to cover the New York premiere and bring it to other cities. The Trumpsonian installation is built around a candlelit tribute to Epstein's more than 1,200 victims and survivors, whose names are all redacted here in closed binders - unlike at the DOJ, where they were badly, only partly redacted, a failure adding insult to injury along with an ongoing, multi-pronged cover-up. The Trump and Epstein Reading Room also includes a timeline documenting the decades-long crimes, legal proceedings and intersections between the two men's lives, all underlining the criminal absurdity of federal claims "there's nothing left to investigate." The vast trove of information, organizers say, is "what 3.5 million pages of evidence looks like." Trump, as deeply complicit as he is narcissistic, "wanted his name on stuff." Now, here it is. From the TrumpsonianImage from Memorial Reading Room This content originally appeared on Common Dreams and was authored by Abby Zimet.
Fake video: Clip showing Suvendu Adhikari talking about ‘finishing’ Muslims is AI generated
A video of West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari is viral on social media, purporting to show him make several controversial statements. In the video, Adhikari starts off by expresses... The post Fake video: Clip showing Suvendu Adhikari talking about ‘finishing’ Muslims is AI generated appeared first on Alt News.
A video of West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari is viral on social media, purporting to show him make several controversial statements. In the video, Adhikari starts off by expresses his satisfaction at winning the seats of Bhabanipur and Nandigram. Then, he goes on to say: “We will work only for Hindus, and exterminate the 27% Muslim population in West Bengal. In this way, our work will ensure that the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) stays in power for more than 100 years.” X user (@Naira_Seth1) posted the viral clip, adding, in the caption, that this was a case of “majoritarian extremism” dressed as politics. (Archive) Suvendu Adhikari openly bragged about defeating Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, then reportedly declared that BJP will “only work for Hindus” and “eliminate the 27% Muslims of West Bengal” to stay in power for 100 years. This is not governance. This is majoritarian extremism pic.twitter.com/MyIgERbyD2 — Naira Seth (@Naira_Seth1) May 7, 2026 X user (@Divyayadav98178) posted this video, which managed to rack up more than 8,000 views and over 50 shares. An archived version of the post, which has now been removed from the platform, can be accessed here. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-315395" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot_256.jpg" alt="" width="798" height="854" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot_256.jpg 798w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot_256-280x300.jpg 280w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot_256-768x822.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" /> X user (@nilakshirabhaa) had also posted the clip with the viral claim. It was later taken down. Fact Check It is clear from the video that it is AI generated. The man seen in the later part of the clip is not Suvendu Adhikari. See below: <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315418" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-103436.jpg" alt="" width="736" height="415" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-103436.jpg 736w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-103436-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px" /> Neither does the voice match Adhikari’s. The microphones placed in front of the speaker display garbled and distorted text, which is a common visual indicator of artificially generated videos. See below: <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-315419" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-103707.jpg" alt="" width="738" height="415" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-103707.jpg 738w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-15-103707-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 738px) 100vw, 738px" /> On inspecting the video, we noticed several other inconsistencies with the accent, the lip sync, as well as the movements of the head, mouth, and hands. We also ran relevant keyword searches to check if any news outlet had published a report on the controversial statements, but could find none. We ran the video through Hive’s AI detection tool, which showed a strong possibility of it being artificially created, peaking at 98.8% around the 0:25 timestamp. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-315399" src="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot_261.jpg" alt="" width="1509" height="854" srcset="https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot_261.jpg 1509w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot_261-300x170.jpg 300w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot_261-1024x580.jpg 1024w, https://www.altnews.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot_261-768x435.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1509px) 100vw, 1509px" /> Thereafter, we broke down the video into keyframes. A reverse image search on one such keyframe led us to an excerpt of a press byte given by Suvendu Adhikari. It was uploaded by PTI, on May 6. VIDEO | Kolkata, West Bengal: BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari says, “I urge everyone to remain calm, all TMC goons will be tackled through law.” (Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7)#Kolkata pic.twitter.com/XK6SAhLG8q — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 6, 2026 In this excerpt, Suvendu Adhikari promises that lawful action will be meted out to criminals. He makes no mention of Hindus or Muslims. To sum up, the viral video, allegedly showing West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari promising to exterminate the Muslim population in West Bengal to ensure BJP’s stay in power, is AI-generated and not genuine. The post Fake video: Clip showing Suvendu Adhikari talking about ‘finishing’ Muslims is AI generated appeared first on Alt News. This content originally appeared on Alt News and was authored by Prantik Ali.
Media miss: The questions never asked behind the US-Israel war on Iran
ANALYSIS: By Alison Broinowski of Declassified Australia Most of the Western media refuse to join the dots and explain Israel’s decades-long obsession with defanging Tehran. The war in Iran is what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has planned for four decades. He has always wanted Israel to extend from Egypt to the Euphrates and in the
ANALYSIS: By Alison Broinowski of Declassified Australia Most of the Western media refuse to join the dots and explain Israel’s decades-long obsession with defanging Tehran. The war in Iran is what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has planned for four decades. He has always wanted Israel to extend from Egypt to the Euphrates and in the process have the United States overthrow seven neighbouring countries, the last and latest being Iran. That was also America’s plot, hatched by the neo-conservative authors at the Project for a New American Century (PNAC) in 2000. The list of targeted countries, confirmed by US General Wesley Clark in 2007, was based on a proposal published in Israel in 1982. READ MORE: Lifting secrecy plans to censor jornalists Other war on Palestine, war on Iran reports Ambitious as they were, these long-held intentions have now culminated in the US-Israel war on Iran, which seems sudden but was carefully planned, a former British Ambassador claims. US President Donald Trump was not “bounced into it” by Israel: it had been in gestation for months, says Craig Murray, Britain’s ambassador to Uzbekistan between 2002 and 2004. Well in advance, Trump had weapons ordered for fast delivery from Lockheed Martin, naval ships and troops were moved to the Gulf, and CIA and Mossad agitators reportedly stirred up Iranians in several cities, already exasperated by their theocratic rulers and by US sanctions. If Murray is right, Trump and Netanyahu must have been planning this in their frequent meetings before and since the “12-day war” against Iran last year. Or for longer: Trump has reminded the world that as far back as 1987 he wanted the US to take over some of Iran’s oil, and to go to war for it. Everything is a ‘deal’ But Trump’s shambolic war shows that he regards everything as a “deal’” and while aggrandising himself, he fails to understand that Iranians don’t accept transactionalism about their country, whoever its leader is. He appears not to remember that under the Shah, Iran was on good terms with Israel and the US, until the uprising against the Pahlavis in 1979. He doesn’t mention the CIA’s overthrow in 1953 of Prime Minister Mossadegh, who merely wanted to nationalise Iran’s oil. Instead of understanding Iran and its people, Trump claims to trust his “gut instinct” about the war, and he regularly gets it wrong. The state of the president’s mental, cognitive and physical health has been raised again lately by his niece Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist. She observes symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in Trump, and recalls that his father and her grandfather, Fred Trump sr., died with dementia. Other specialists detect signs of “malignant narcissism”, and note that the President’s repeated threats, exaggerations, and reversals are more likely to be the results of incapacity than of intent. Still, Trump’s erratic statements keep attention focussed on him, keeping the world guessing and confused, and his narcissistic self on centre stage. For Trump, as for Netanyahu, the personal is paramount. Both of them face coming elections (Trump has to face the mid-terms in November while Netanyahu has a general election before the end of the year); both want to stay alive and out of jail; and the continuing war further enriches them, their families and friends. Plans for war Netanyahu’s project derives from the 1982 Yinon Plan, named after its author, an Israeli diplomat, journalist, and former adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Published in the Hebrew journal Kivunim (“Directions”) as “A Strategy for Israel in the 1980s”, it reappeared in a 1996 policy paper titled “A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm”, prepared for Netanyahu by American neoconservative strategists. They also produced their “Project for the New American Century”, advocating a “catastrophic and catalysing event” that would convince Americans of the need for war. The “Clean Break” document argued that Israel should abandon land-for-peace diplomacy and instead pursue a strategy that would weaken or remove hostile regimes in the region, particularly Iraq and Syria. The goal was not mere military victory but a geopolitical restructuring of the Middle East in Israel’s favour. In 1997, some of the same people involved with that report established the Project for the New American Century think tank, which produced several major reports, especially “Rebuilding America’s Defences” in the year 2000. It argued for preserving US military preeminence in the Middle East and two other theatres with a “revolution in military affairs” that might be accelerated by a “catastrophic and catalysing event — like a new Pearl Harbor”. Just a year later on 9/11, such an event occurred, leading Congress quickly to pass the Authorisation for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists, and the anti-terrorism PATRIOT Act. Track the planning process forward to 2001, and a former CIA operator confirms what many conspiracy analysts have suspected for years: that Israel, together with Saudi Arabia, was potentially informed about conspirators in the attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon on September 11 before they occurred. John Kiriakou, a former CIA bureau chief for Pakistan, points to the involvement of the Saudi royal family in Al-Qaeda’s plan. As well, Kiriakou says that Mossad was thick on the ground on the US east coast in 2001 and Israel knew what was to happen, but did nothing to stop it. Furious response over Saudis Kiriakou points to the furious response to Riyadh by US agencies on learning of the Saudis’ dominant involvement in 9/11. It produced three sudden deaths in a week in July 2022: Princes Ahmed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (in hospital after an operation), Sultan bin Faisal bin Turki (in a car accident), and Fahd bin Turki bin Saud al-Kabir (of thirst in the desert). The latter two were both in their mid-twenties, while Ahmed was 43. Seven months later Mushaf Ali Mir, Pakistan’s Air Marshal, died in a plane crash in clear weather over the unruly Northwest Frontier province, along with his wife and closest confidants. 9/11 researchers have found out a lot more about what two US “allies”, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, knew in advance of 9/11 and did in support of al-Qaeda. US lawyer Gerald Posner’s account is based on al-Qaeda operative Ali Zubaydah’s claims about his capture and interrogation, and his admissions about his work with Saudi and Pakistani officials. From Guantánamo Bay, where he has been held without charge for more than two decades, he told Posner that both Prince Ahmed and Mushaf Ali Mir, Pakistan’s Air Marshal, “knew that an attack was scheduled for American soil on that day”. Like Israelis, they did nothing to stop it. The Report of the 9/11 Commission, which some said was “set up to fail”, read more as a call to arms against al-Qaeda than a forensic criminal report. The GW Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations prevented the US Congress accessing 28 pages from the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities before and after 9/11. Eventually released by Biden in June 2016, the pages identified Saudi Arabian diplomats, officials, and members of the ruling family as contributors to preparations for the attacks, but not Israelis. Yet when US President Bush declared a “war on terror” in response to 9/11, he realised Netanyahu’s aim for the US to attack Israel’s neighbours. And war, says Israeli journalist Gideon Levy, “is always the first option, not the last one in Israel“. An Israeli strike on Tehran, Iran, on 13 June 2025. Image: Meghdad Madadi/Tasnim News Agency/DA Heavy insider trading was recorded in New York in advance of September 11, including put options on United Airlines, American Airlines, and other related stocks. A majority of those polled by The New York Times in the five years after the attacks on the Twin Towers and Washington thought the government was lying or was hiding something. Even some staff, investigators, and members of the 9/11 Commission knew that senior military officials and CIA director George Tenet had lied to them, while others’ evidence was suppressed. But their knowledge was excluded from the final report. Terrorists, neo-colonialists, tyrants and war criminals This history reveals the need to be sceptical of Washington’s claims about terrorism from 9/11 to today’s war against Iran. “Terror” is repeatedly used as propaganda to manufacture consent for war and to demonise enemies of the West, while what the US and Israel do is “not terrorism”. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 was a war crime, said NATO and its friends: yet the US coalition’s long wars in Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria were not. Russia’s annexation of Crimea, its former territory, was an outrageous land grab: Israel’s annexations of Syria’s Golan and the Palestinians’ West Bank territory were not. Hamas’ breakout from Gaza on 7 October 2023 was terrorism; Israel’s recurrent attacks on Palestinians since 1948 and its ethnic cleansing of Gaza since 2023 were not. Hamas and Hezbollah’s retaliation and the Houthis’ attacks are terrorism: Israel’s bombing and occupation of Gaza and southern Lebanon are not. Iran’s leaders are murderous tyrants: Israel’s indicted war criminals Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant (both wanted by the International Criminal Court on arrest warrants for crimes against humanity).are not. Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran’s IRGC are designated terrorist organisations: the IDF, CIA, and Mossad are not. The US assaults on Venezuela and Iran, to be followed by Cuba, are claimed to be against terrorism or drugs: in fact they are about who controls oil and makes and unmakes governments. It does not occur to most Americans and Israelis that their own activities are state terror. Instead, they claim a right to defend US hegemony and all Jews’ right to Eretz Israel and greatness as “God’s chosen people”. Palestinians who resist have no such rights and are called subhuman terrorists, and under a new law, Arab Israelis will be executed for terrorism, while Jewish Israelis are not. In the 1930s and 1940s, the Nazis made similar claims about the superiority of their civilisation to justify the Holocaust. No wonder some now detect a resurgence of fascism in the US, Israel, and elsewhere. Others observe the sudden rise of anti-Semitism since October 2003. A growing number expect the US war to fail, leaving Israel to do its worst in Iran and Lebanon. Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis have been added to Al-Qaeda on the list of designated terrorists. The wars that followed culminate in Iran, labelled by Trump a “terrorist regime”. Candidate Trump took Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s advice to “move fast and break things”. He has done it as president. What ends up broken is now the whole world’s concern. Dr Alison Broinowski AM is an Australian former diplomat, academic and author. Her books and articles concern Australia’s interactions with the world. She is president of Australians for War Powers Reform. Republished with permission from Declassified Australia. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Palestine Forum slams NZDF share in military exercises with ‘genocidal’ Israel
Asia Pacific Report The Palestine Forum of New Zealand has criticised plans for the country taking part in next month’s military exercises with Israel and the United States, saying Wellington must not be seen aligning militarily with a state “facing serious allegations of war crimes and genocide before international legal institutions”. In a statement today,
Asia Pacific Report The Palestine Forum of New Zealand has criticised plans for the country taking part in next month’s military exercises with Israel and the United States, saying Wellington must not be seen aligning militarily with a state “facing serious allegations of war crimes and genocide before international legal institutions”. In a statement today, the Palestine Forum expressed “deep concern” over the reports that the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) would participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) military exercises with Israel and the US in Hawai’i between July 21 and 31. “New Zealand has long claimed to uphold international law, human rights, and an independent foreign policy,” the statement said. READ MORE: NZDF plans upcoming RIMPAC training with Israel and the US Other RIMPAC reports “Participating in joint military exercises alongside Israel fundamentally contradicts those values and risks damaging New Zealand’s international reputation.” Such exercises should not happen at a time when the world was witnessing the ongoing devastation in Gaza and growing international condemnation of Israel’s actions in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Palestine Forum said. “There should be no military cooperation with states engaged in ongoing conflicts and facing credible allegations of violations of international humanitarian law.” The Palestine Forum called on Christopher Luxon’s coalition government to “immediately review” New Zealand participation in these exercises and “ensure the country does not become complicit directly or indirectly in legitimising violence, occupation, or collective punishment”. Stand on side of justice, peace New Zealanders expected their country to stand on the side of justice, peace, and international accountability, not military cooperation with governments accused of grave human rights abuses. Valerie Morse, a member of Peace Action Wellington, yesterday released a statement about RIMPAC 2026 from the NZDF obtained in response to an Official Information Act (OIA) request last month. “The NZDF is sending the largest contingent of troops and materiel in a decade to the this year’s RIMPAC including three ships and 328 service personnel,” Morse said. “This is while Israel continues its genocide in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the US and Israel wage an illegal war on Iran.” This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
The maps are being redrawn to diminish the voting power of Black Americans.
The maps are being redrawn to diminish the voting power of Black Americans. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Megan Thiele Strong.
Artist Hannah Tishkoff on why art is easy
What was your process for creating the works in your recent show?
What was your process for creating the works in your recent show? A lot of the show was driven by exploring new materials. I started using Flashe and oil. The title of the show, Beginning of a Poem, is this homage to having a beginner’s mind and the exploratory experience you have when you are trying out a material, which I feel like is also a metaphor for a loosened approach to living. Your show makes the beginning feel like a place. The beginning is also the middle and the end. And the middle and the end are the beginning. The materials are my entry point. I’m specifically using found materials and materials that I don’t feel like I have mastery over; I am able to access a level of freedom with them. It’s more challenging to access otherwise, so it’s like I am playing a game with myself, where I say, “Well, I have nothing to lose.” And then you’re in the thick of it, and you become invested. Through that process, I become excited and satisfied. Hannah Tishkoff, L.I.F.E. (Line In Forward Exploration), 2026, acrylic, oil, flashe, and collage on found wood, 15 x 27 x 1 in., 38.10 x 68.58 x 2.54 cm. I like that it’s a trick for yourself. It does feel like a trick. I mean, there’s so much muck in your mind that you have to get through to make art. In the fall I felt a lot of pressure—I was starting grad school—to make nice, new, successful things, and it really dulled me. It felt like I was trying to produce from the front door of my mind. I felt stuck and uninspired. And then I got sick over winter break and I was home a lot, laying low for a couple weeks. During that period of time, I let go of everything, and right after that I made basically all the work in the show. I felt that in grad school as well: I was trying to make work that was more grown up and complete than I was. And then I had to unlearn that a little. The creative process is completely mysterious and requires a lot of self-trust and surrender, but I think wanting to win people over is also an important part of the process. And in some ways, I think art should be about winning people over. I don’t want to alienate people. I feel like if I happen to be in a position where I, for whatever reason, can be hopeful, then it feels like a responsibility to express that. It’s like the waves of the ocean. You get tangled up and stressed out, and you want to please everyone, and then you go crazy, and say, “Screw all that. Cut me loose. I want to be free.” And then you do it all over again. Hannah Tishkoff, Beginning of a Poem, 2026, colored pencil on found wood, 9 x 9.5 x 1 in., 22.86 x 24.13 x 2.54 cm. Does the work come out of both sides of that cycle? When I wasn’t sure if there was going to be a show, I was able to just have a good time and amuse myself. I have to play these games with myself to stay entertained. And then, once I’m there, I can keep playing games forever. I never want to go home from the play date. What do the games look like? One of the games is using found materials. I use a lot of canvases that I find. I tell myself, “The stakes are zero because this is garbage; it can only go up from here.” Sometimes I’ll incorporate elements of the previous painting into what I do, and that feels like an instruction or a map. Color is a big way that I play games because it’s so satisfying to try to figure out which colors look good together. It feels like being a hummingbird, tapping into this instinct that’s like, “My survival depends on finding the prettiest flowers with the closest proximity to each other, and I need to drink from them.” I want the fun and expressiveness to be central to my work. It’s like Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick’s theory of paranoid reading versus reparative reading. I want my work to invoke a reparative reading: the pleasurable experience that I’m having while figuring out how to be alive. I want the pleasure I take in delivering that experience to be transferable to the viewer, so that they can have a sense of participation. I don’t want to alienate people. It’s a conversation. I think that’s why language is important to my work. Language is extremely specific and comes from inside of your body, but it’s also a communal resource that we all share. Hannah Tishkoff, Art is Easy, 2026, graphite, fingernail clippings, tape, and cardstock on paper, mounted on panel, 20 x 16.5 x 1.75 in., 50.80 x 41.91 x 4.45 cm. Words are a huge part of your artwork. I’m obsessed with words. Words are a big way I play games, because words are so evocative, and I like to take them out of context. Another game I play with myself, which is a game I’ve been playing since I was probably a 7th grader, is playing music I really like and then writing down the lyrics and drawing them. I love song lyrics. I was just talking to my friend about how we want paintings to feel like beat drops. I love the accessibility of pop music of all kinds. Any genre of music can be considered pop music if it has that zing. A painting is a moment. Painting happens in the moment of encountering the artwork. It has the potential for the “beat drop” feeling. There are lines in a short story or a novel that are “beat drop”-adjacent, too. One of the works in the show has a line from one of Kenneth Patchen’s picture poems where he writes, “Beyond love, there is no belief,” which is the most beautiful sentence I’ve ever read. It’s a translation. Yeah. A translation of this syncopated, emotional quack science that I formulated in collaboration between myself and reality. Sometimes the response will be that my work is very playful or childish, and I think that’s always something I’m negotiating. On the one hand, what comes out of me looks like this and I can’t think about it too much. Still, I have this paranoia about childishness being opposed to rigor. But really, I think there’s nothing more rigorous than trying to be free. What could be a tougher job than trying to reach a free, preverbal flow state? Ultimately, my work comes from a place of need. I need to figure these things out. I need to understand how to live. I guess there is a pedagogical bent in that orientation because I have a background as a teacher. Hannah Tishkoff, The Shape of Things To Come, 2026, flashe, acrylic, oil, and paper on Masonite mounted on panel, 36 x 24 in., 91.44 x 60.96 cm. Are there connections between your teaching background and your art? I think there’s a generosity in a teacher’s understanding of what art is and what it is capable of that resonates with me. I think art is a practical tool to teach people about the world. I feel like I see that coming through in the work, especially in one of my favorites, “Art is Easy.” It felt like a beat drop in the show. But is it always true that art is easy? I think what I mean by “art is easy” is that art is natural. So much of being an artist is paying attention and being attuned to what is already happening materially and socially. One of my favorite essays about art is by John Berger. It’s called “The White Bird.” He writes that the artist tries to imitate these fleeting moments of nature and turn that moment of attention into an unceasing experience. Is it ever not easy? It’s not easy if you’re judging yourself and putting pressure on yourself and having a certain expectation of what the outcome is. Then it’s impossible. Art is easy, or it’s impossible. It’s a tragedy when art becomes impossible because it’s also so easy. Art is so normal. It’s the least crazy thing to do. It’s hard not to make value judgments between those two experiences when you’re thinking, “I’ve hit my stride. I found my way. This is better than when I was lost in the dark.” But you only know what light is in relationship to that darkness. Hannah Tishkoff, Things Fall Back, 2026, oil, flashe and acrylic on found wood, 10 x 13 x 1.5 in., 25.40 x 33.02 x 3.81 cm. I see echoes of LA art in your work: Mike Kelley, John Baldessari, even a little Chris Burden. We both grew up in Los Angeles, in the Valley, and we live here now. How does LA filter into your work? LA filters in at every single level. When I was a senior in high school, the Mike Kelley retrospective came to MOCA. Honestly, I don’t think I would be an artist if that show didn’t plant ideas in my head about using language, being anti-institutional—all from a place of a deep love of life. I think a teenage part of me is still trying not to lose that magic. I’m a third-generation Angeleno. I’m inspired by the patchwork spirit of the city. LA is so loose and weird. All the loose marbles roll down here, and I come from a lineage of loose marble people. Those are my people, that’s my audience. In LA, artists are also rebelling against the sheen of the entertainment industry. It’s really formative to how I grew up. If you’re a kid growing up in Los Angeles, you always feel a little pissed off that you’re not being discovered at the mall. After that it’s easier to say, “Screw all of this. I’m going to make art. I’m not going to be in a commercial.” But at the same time, LA is a site of reinvention. Being ahistorical is the game that we’re all playing. The truth is this nimble, moving target. Hannah Tishkoff, Beyond Love There is No Belief, 2026, acrylic, oil, and pennies on headboard 36.25 x 63 x 2 in., 92.08 x 160.02 x 5.08 cm. Do you have any dream projects? Beat drops. I want to be in a rock band. I love rock and roll. Musicians are the most powerful artists. They’re the ones that I’m the most jealous of. Music is so powerful. You can’t sing along to a painting. I think you could be a pop star. I want to be a pop star. Hannah Tishkoff recommends: Swimming in the ocean on New Year’s Day The Bonaventure Hotel, a brutalist maze in Downtown Los Angeles “Nothing good gets away,” John Steinbeck’s 1958 letter to his son in love Maggie’s Organics cotton socks are the best socks ever Poto and Cabengo, amazing documentary about identical twins who invented their own language This content originally appeared on The Creative Independent and was authored by Claudia Ross.
Defending NZ values in a volatile world – but in what kind of a world?
COMMENTARY: By Frances Palmer While appreciating certain points in Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s speech “Securing NZ’s Future in a more Volatile World” on current challenges to international law, enshrined “rules” and “order”, we must take a hard look at the solutions he offers to enhance security. Security now clearly is shaped in a global context.
COMMENTARY: By Frances Palmer While appreciating certain points in Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s speech “Securing NZ’s Future in a more Volatile World” on current challenges to international law, enshrined “rules” and “order”, we must take a hard look at the solutions he offers to enhance security. Security now clearly is shaped in a global context. The world’s geopolitical issues affect us all, not just those near sites of military engagement, as wars on Ukraine and Iran show. So it’s misleading to consider security as simply a national or even regional issue, though people within range of military missiles and drones suffer the most horrendously. READ MORE: New Zealand in ‘big trouble’ amid growing global uncertainty, US-China relations, expert says Securing NZ’s Future in a more Volatile World — Luxon speech <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-127819 size-medium" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Frances-Palmer-Scoop-500wide--300x269.png" alt="Peace advocate Frances Palmer" width="300" height="269" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Frances-Palmer-Scoop-500wide--300x269.png 300w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Frances-Palmer-Scoop-500wide--468x420.png 468w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Frances-Palmer-Scoop-500wide-.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /> Peace advocate Frances Palmer . . . “We don’t exist in a defence structure siloed off from a former ally who flouts any semblance of a “rules-based order.” Image: Scoop/APR We would agree, as Luxon claims in closing remarks, that we have values worth defending. What kind of a world and what network of values do we most want to defend? And how can we do this without compromising those same values? Does anyone really believe that cultural and political values such as democracy are best defended by doubling military spending as he proposes? Or that 20th century national security perspectives and “bomb them to hell” strategies are fit for purpose today, while nuclear arsenals grow month by month, no longer restrained by arms control agreements? We don’t exist in a defence structure siloed off from a former ally who flouts any semblance of a “rules-based order”. Australia, now our only officially acknowledged defence partner, is closely linked militarily with the US. Exercises against ‘enemy’ Last year. NZ’s navy joined US and Israel in regular RIMPAC military exercises, to prepare for war against those labelled “enemy”. Judith Collins justified this on the basis that the US sent the invitations; NZ didn’t create the guest list. (Jack Tame interview, The Nation). Clearly it’s time to weigh up our bedfellows more judiciously, and what values their actions, rather than their words, show they are defending. It’s hard to see how one defends values like democracy by preparing for war alongside nations whose “Ministries of War” commit and enable genocide in Gaza, threaten to add Canada and Greenland to the US real estate portfolio, and bomb weaker nations back to the Stone Age, while kidnapping presidents of other nations if US corporate interests could benefit. Luxon is right in stating that this is a historical inflection point, and the way in which we react, along with other nations, will determine “what kind of world comes next”. How are our values best defended? With weapons and threats? Or by joining like-minded nations to call out all who undermine the values, rules and institutions that endeavoured since the end of World War Two and the United Nations Charter to enhance genuine human security worldwide? Only ethically grounded values, policy and strategies, supported by inspired multilateral diplomacy and conflict resolution skills, can promote such values and the multilateral order which supported them. War is a barbaric, blunt tool from a past age which cannot deal with worsening 21st century existential threats which need global collaboration to solve, if most of humanity is to survive the future. We owe it to our descendants to defend ethical values appropriately to build the foundations of a world that is fit for them. Frances Palmer is a peace and conflict studies advocate and commentator. She was a SCF nurse in Vietnam and Khmer refugee camps 1975, 1980. Palmer wrote history resources for schools on “Cambodia, Faces of Violence, Hegemony & Holocaust” and “Aotearoa NZ 1980s-1990s, Participation & Resistance to International War”. This article was first published at Scoop. This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
NY Times exposes Israel’s r*pe dungeons, Netanyahu threatens to sue
Richard Glossip Released From Jail After Three Decades
‘Arrest wanted Filipino former police chief’ call by Amnesty after escape
Asia Pacific Report Amnesty International says it is “deeply alarmed” over the obstruction of justice and chaotic scenes — including gunfire — witnessed at the Philippines Senate this week over a fugitive from the International Criminal Court. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who faces an arrest warrant issued by the ICC, escaped from the Senate
Asia Pacific Report Amnesty International says it is “deeply alarmed” over the obstruction of justice and chaotic scenes — including gunfire — witnessed at the Philippines Senate this week over a fugitive from the International Criminal Court. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who faces an arrest warrant issued by the ICC, escaped from the Senate premises in the early hours of yesterday, May 14, after the gunfire incident on Wednesday night. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano confirmed his exit yesterday afternoon. READ MORE: Bato dela Rosa, wanted by ICC, evades arrest, escapes Senate premises Authorities must arrest former police chief The independent news website Rappler reported Dela Rosa’s escape yesterday morning, citing information relayed by the Senate secretariat to a credible source. In response to reports that Dela Rosa had fled the Philippines Senate building allowing him to evade the arrest warrant, Ritz Lee Santos III, executive director of Amnesty International Philippines, said: “We are deeply alarmed at the obstruction of justice and chaotic scenes witnessed at the Philippines Senate,” he said. “Ronald dela Rosa’s position as Senator offers him no special protection from an ICC arrest warrant, neither under domestic nor international law. It is hugely concerning that fellow Senators and others appear to have assisted him in evading arrest and in delaying the execution of the arrest warrant — effectively facilitating his escape for now. “Despite seeking to distance themselves from these events, President Marcos and relevant agencies remain ultimately responsible for ensuring Dela Rosa’s arrest. Philippine senator wanted by ICC escapes Video: Al Jazeera Key role in ‘war on dugs’ Santos said Dela Rosa held a key role in the “war on drugs” under former President Ridrigo Duterte, who is in The Hague awaiting trial on ICC charges of crimes against humanity. The former police chief was a “clear flight risk” and appeared intent on avoiding accountability, said Santos. “He should be promptly located, arrested and surrendered to the ICC to answer allegations of crimes against humanity. “The place for Dela Rosa to challenge his case and the crimes against humanity he is alleged to have committed is in The Hague, in impartial and independent trial proceedings. “Political authority must not place anyone above the law. In the interest of justice for victims, survivors and their families, those alleged to have committed grave crimes must be held to account, no matter how long it takes.” Three-day stand-off After a three-day standoff between law enforcement and dela Rosa at the Philippines Senate, he was reported to have left the Senate building at 2.30am local time yesterday. His whereabouts are currently unknown. The night before, gunshots were fired inside Senate premises while some Senators and media were still inside. There remain conflicting reports on what led to the shooting. Various senior administration representatives, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, denied that there were attempts to execute an arrest warrant. On May 11, the ICC confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant for the sitting senator. The warrant states that the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber found there were “reasonable grounds to believe” Dela Rosa had committed the crime against humanity of murder, citing incidents in which 32 people were killed between 2016 to 2018. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-127801" src="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bato-AI-680wide.png" alt="Fellow lawmakers accused of facilitating the escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa" width="680" height="263" srcset="https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bato-AI-680wide.png 680w, https://asiapacificreport.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bato-AI-680wide-300x116.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px" /> Fellow lawmakers accused of facilitating the escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa from the Philippines Senate building. Image: Amnesty International Philippines This content originally appeared on Asia Pacific Report and was authored by APR editor.
Community Schools Are at the Forefront of a ‘Neighborism’ Movement
Public schools in New York City’s network of community schools offer an alternative to top-down systems that are indifferent to the needs of working families.
Public schools in New York City’s network of community schools offer an alternative to top-down systems that are indifferent to the needs of working families. This content originally appeared on The Progressive — A voice for peace, social justice, and the common good and was authored by Jeff Bryant.
Alex Honnold: ‘You just see how much it matters’
At Grist’s Turning the Tide event at SF Climate Week, free solo climber and solar energy advocate Alex Honnold shared how his love of climbing became a passion for empowering communities.
Climber Alex Honnold is best-known for his daring feats, recently scaling Taiwan’s Taipei 101 tower live on Netflix, but he’s more typically climbing some of the world’s most challenging natural landscapes. But he’s also an advocate for renewable energy, and the foundation he started, the Honnold Foundation, supports community-led solar energy growth around the world. How do those two interests fit together? For Honnold, the connection seems clear. “Go on enough trips like this,” he said, referencing his climbing trips to remote locations, and “you just see how much it matters.” “A lot of these projects basically help protect the land in a way that you wouldn’t necessarily assume,” he said. “Empowering local communities is always a good way to protect the land on which they live.” Honnold was interviewed by Grist Editor-in-Chief Katherine Bagley at Grist’s live event Turning the Tide: Stories of Climate Solutions, held during San Francisco Climate Week. In his own climbing experience, Honnold shared, he’s seen how landscapes have changed even in the span of just a few years due to rising temperatures. “A lot of things that used to be approaches or descents up snowy couloirs … those are mostly melted out,” Honnold said. “Basically, big mountains you see change very quickly right now. It’s pretty sobering.” But he also emphasized the need for positive stories that help people understand that progress is happening. “I personally am just not inspired by pessimism at all,” he said. “The environment has been severely degraded, we’ve lost a lot for sure, but if you were just dropped onto this planet right here, right now, and you just looked around in the natural world, you’d think, ‘This is incredible.’ There’s so much life, the natural world is still amazing, and there’s still so much to protect.” Watch the full video of the event, including Honnold’s interview, or read a few excerpts (lightly edited for clarity) below. Katherine Bagley: You and I are about the same age, and I remember as kids growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was like the recycling ads and the oil spills and that we had to save the ozone layer. And I’m curious when climate became part of the conversation for you. Alex Honnold: Yeah, honestly, I’m not sure. None of those things really speak to me. I think that I was probably not that environmentally aware as a child. I mean, my parents are both professors. I grew up in Sacramento, just sort of a suburban California kid. And I think those weren’t big things in my house. I don’t think either of my parents were profound environmentalists in any way, even though we went camping and stuff, but that’s kind of different. And so I think it really was as I started to travel as a rock climber and go on expeditions. I mean, basically I just started reading a lot more. I read a ton of environmental nonfiction and just started to care a little more and then to see a little bit more. And sort of seeing some of the links between energy access and global poverty and climate change — basically the transition to renewables. And those are all things that I was kind of interested in starting in, I guess 2009. Basically when I started doing some of my first overseas rock climbing expeditions, I was like, “Oh, I care about the way the rest of the world works and I’m interested.” And really the more I learned, the more it was like, “Oh, this seems important. This seems like something I should be more stressed about.” Emily [Teitsworth, executive director of the Honnold Foundation] was just talking about Kara Solar, this organization that the Honnold Foundation supports in the Ecuadorian Amazon. And this is in Guyana [referencing an onscreen photo], which is the other side of the Amazon. It’s a different river base and everything. This is called a tepui. It’s like this giant rock face. And this was an expedition for a TV show in National Geographic. But anyway, we basically took river transit boats all the way to the end of the river kind of thing, and then walked for a week through the jungle to get to these walls. And so, I mean, I think that has really helped inform my environmental activism. Do you call it activism? Basically, the reason I care. And it’s that you go on enough trips like this and you’re kind of like, Well, we took two-stroke gas-powered boats to the end of the fricking world and then hiked for a week into the jungle to go climb this wall. And you see how these communities — basically you just see how much it matters. * * * Bagley: Have you noticed climate change or other environmental impacts that have impacted some of your favorite places to climb? <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYFEJbvv9xD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g> View this post on Instagram Honnold: Yeah, I mean, one of my favorites is Yosemite. And so you don’t really see climate change impacts in Yosemite that much. I mean, other than beetle kill and obvious things like that, where you’re sort of like, “Oh, the forests have changed composition very quickly,” and drought, and fire, and those types of impacts. But you really see it in some places that aren’t necessarily my favorite places to climb, bigger mountains with glaciers. I don’t like ice climbing, which is a good thing, because it’s all falling down anyway. Like, that ship has sailed. Because actually, one my last experiences in Patagonia in southern Argentina — if anyone’s ever been to some of the climbing areas in Patagonia, the key to success in Patagonia, basically the weather’s always horrible, is to always have a whole spreadsheet of objectives so that depending on the weather window, you can choose the correct objective. If you’re like, “Oh, we have one day of marginal weather in between two storms, what’s the right objective for that?” Anyway, so we had a really, really bad weather window with marginal conditions and cold temperatures. And we’re like, perfect for an ice climbing objective, let’s go in and do an ice route up this one spire. And we hiked in. And hiking in is no joke. It’s like a couple of days to walk into the town and you get to the mountain and we get up there. Anyway, we got there and there was no ice route anymore. The whole thing had fallen down and it was gone. And we were just like, huh. Like, that’ll probably never reform. Like, that’s just gone. You see that all over the world with glaciers and with ice features. And a lot of things that used to be approaches or descents up snowy couloirs, like basically just hike up a chute in a mountain, those are mostly melted out. And so now it’s just like a rock chute with things falling down it the whole time. Basically big mountains you see change very quickly right now. It’s pretty sobering, because those landscapes don’t seem like they should change. Because when you look at it, you’re just like — since time immemorial, this has been these rugged mountains. And then you’re sort of like, “Oh, no, actually since four years ago, that’s completely changed.” I mean have any of you guys been to Chamonix? Anybody skied in Chamonix? They have a whole tourist attraction with labels and dates and stairsteps to the level of the glacier so basically you can get off and you’re sort of like, in 1850 the glacier was up to here and then you go down literally hundreds and hundreds of stairs, you drop hundreds of vertical feet down to this, like, tiny, tiny little piece of ice and, like, here’s the glacier now. And you’re kind of like, “Whoa, that’s changed a lot in the last hundred years.” It’s insane. * * * Bagley: I feel like there would be this assumption based on your climbing and where you go that your go-to would be land conservation, but your foundation does solar energy work, and I’m just curious how that interest came about in particular. <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYAxVATvq4L/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g> View this post on Instagram Honnold: Well, I would actually say the energy access work in some ways is land conservation or ties in to land conservation in many ways. Just to go back to this project in the Ecuadorian Amazon, when you reduce the cost of river power transit, you know, basically when you make the boats solar, you don’t have to buy gas. It reduces the need for communities to cut roads through the forest. And so that is basically land conservation because once you cut a road to any of these communities, then those roads are jumping off points for illegal mining, illegal deforestation, basically extractive industries can easily take hold there. A lot of these projects basically help protect the land in a way that you wouldn’t necessarily assume. Basically, empowering local communities is always a good way to protect the land on which they live. * * * Bagley: You now go to a lot of the Climate Week events, a lot of these other kinds of events all over the country, and I think for a long time, there was this narrative of just everything is horrible. I’ve been covering climate change as a journalist for 20 years, and it’s a pretty depressing beat a lot of the time. I remember when you and I were talking the other week in preparation for this, you wanted to stress the optimism that there is actually a lot that we can do about climate change, and that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. So can you talk a little bit about the need for that narrative shift? Honnold: So I was at New York Climate Week, six months ago or whenever, last year in New York, and there were just so many questions about existential doom and gloom, or like, “Climate, it’s a lost cause, we’ve already lost so much,” blah, blah, blah. And at a certain point, you know, maybe like two days into climate week, I just kind of snapped. I’m personally a pretty optimistic person, and just often see the good in things, but I was kind of like: Yeah, I mean, the environment has been severely degraded, we’ve lost a lot for sure, but if you were just dropped onto this planet right here, right now, and you just looked around in the natural world, you’d think, “This is incredible.” There’s so much life, the natural world is still amazing, and there’s still so much to protect. I think we’re better off highlighting what we have and what we can save, rather than mourning what we’ve already lost. Because in a way, what’s lost is lost. You basically only have from the present moving forward. And that’s still pretty freaking great. I interview climate folks all the time, and one of the things that I’m often struck by is I interview a lot of marine biologists and people working in ocean conservation, and when you protect reefs — basically anytime you make something a no-fishing zone or you protect it in any way, life just returns. I mean the oceans seem to recover even faster than things on land. Every time I’m just like, man, there’s such a capacity for restoration if you give nature even the slightest chance. And I feel like to date, humans haven’t really given nature much of a chance. We haven’t really chosen to make that much effort yet. I mean, obviously in some cases, local communities can put tremendous effort into saving one river, let’s say. But at a big picture, humans haven’t really tried that hard yet. And I’m kinda like, man, humans are capable of a lot when we try. And so that keeps me pretty optimistic. * * * Everybody here knows more about all of this than I do. I just love rock climbing, and I’m trying to do my small part to do something useful in the world. But I do think that there’s something lost in the pessimism around environmental storytelling and all that kind of stuff. Just because at least I personally am just not inspired by pessimism at all. I’m kind of like, “Oh, well, if it’s already lost, then screw it, it’s already lost.” But if I’m making progress, if I am improving, then I’m very motivated to keep making progress and keep improving. And I mean, that’s kind of a personal thing. That’s true for training, that’s true for all the things that I do in sport and climbing. If I feel like I’m making progress then it’s easy to get up and try hard and absolutely try my best. And so I feel with environmental issues, it’s like you’re better off focusing on the places that you can make progress. I mean like seeing a river restored like that and just seeing the absolute transformation in just a few years [referencing the restoration of the Klamath River after the removal of dams], that’s incredible. It’s stories like that I think are worth highlighting. This story was originally published by Grist with the headline Alex Honnold: ‘You just see how much it matters’ on May 14, 2026. This content originally appeared on Grist and was authored by Grist staff.
Statement by Ralph Nader on Boeing Verdict
For Immediate Release May 14, 2026 For more information, call: 202-387-8030 Statement by Ralph Nader Yesterday, an Illinois jury in a civil suit rendered a verdict of $49.5 million to the family of Samya Rose Stumo, who was killed in Ethiopia i...
For Immediate Release May 14, 2026 For more information, call: 202-387-8030 Statement by Ralph Nader Yesterday, an Illinois jury in a civil suit rendered a verdict of $49.5 million to the family of Samya Rose Stumo, who was killed in Ethiopia in the March 2019 crash of Boeing’s criminally defective 737 MAX. The verdict… This content originally appeared on Ralph Nader and was authored by matthew.
[Vali Nasr] The U.S. War on Iran: Origins & Consequences
On February 28th, Israel attacked Iran. Almost immediately, the U.S. joined the fray. The claims against Iran are eerily similar to those made against Iraq in 2003. Remember back then, Baghdad supposedly was a great danger. Today, it is Iran we are to ...
On February 28th, Israel attacked Iran. Almost immediately, the U.S. joined the fray. The claims against Iran are eerily similar to those made against Iraq in 2003. Remember back then, Baghdad supposedly was a great danger. Today, it is Iran we are to fear. It’s an “imminent” threat we are told. No evidence is given. None is needed. The master has spoken. The U.S. must take military action. To paraphrase an old song, “propaganda runs deep, into your brains it will seep.” Washington has never forgiven Iran for ousting the Shah. If the U.S. didn't destroy democracy in Iran in the 1953 coup, things would have turned out differently. The geopolitical and economic consequences of this war will be felt not just in the U.S. but around the world for years to come. Recorded at Princeton University. This content originally appeared on AlternativeRadio and was authored by info@alternativeradio.org.
This content originally appeared on International Rescue Committee and was authored by International Rescue Committee.
Georgia Gov. calls special session to rig US House map for GOP, SC expected to follow
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) as he delivers remarks at the Republican Governors Association Meeting at The National Building Museum on February 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343517" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/georgia-gov-calls-special-session-to-rig-us-house-map-for-gop-sc-expected-to-follow/president-trump-speaks-at-the-republican-governors-association-meeting" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1706" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"Canon EOS R1","caption":"WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 20: U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) as he delivers remarks at the Republican Governors Association Meeting at The National Building Museum on February 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed his legislative agenda in his remarks. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1740080129","copyright":"2025 Getty Images","focal_length":"115","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.0025","title":"President Trump Speaks At The Republican Governors Association Meeting","orientation":"1"}' data-image-title="President Trump Speaks At The Republican Governors Association Meeting" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) as he delivers remarks at the Republican Governors Association Meeting at The National Building Museum on February 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> “We will not sit back and watch while Gov. Kemp takes orders from a felon-in-chief to turn Dr. King’s dream into a nightmare,” said the head of Common Cause Georgia.
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) as he delivers remarks at the Republican Governors Association Meeting at The National Building Museum on February 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343517" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/georgia-gov-calls-special-session-to-rig-us-house-map-for-gop-sc-expected-to-follow/president-trump-speaks-at-the-republican-governors-association-meeting" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1706&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1706" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"Getty Images","camera":"Canon EOS R1","caption":"WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 20: U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) as he delivers remarks at the Republican Governors Association Meeting at The National Building Museum on February 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump discussed his legislative agenda in his remarks. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)","created_timestamp":"1740080129","copyright":"2025 Getty Images","focal_length":"115","iso":"3200","shutter_speed":"0.0025","title":"President Trump Speaks At The Republican Governors Association Meeting","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="President Trump Speaks At The Republican Governors Association Meeting" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) as he delivers remarks at the Republican Governors Association Meeting at The National Building Museum on February 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2200939590-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> <img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" width="600" height="150" data-attachment-id="268291" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/this-is-why-deregulation-is-deadly/cd_stacked_white_600" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" data-orig-size="600,150" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Common Dreams Logo" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?fit=600%2C150&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=600%2C150&ssl=1" alt="Common Dreams Logo" class="wp-image-268291 size-full" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=600&ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?resize=300%2C75&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=370&ssl=1 370w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cd_stacked_white_600.png?w=400&ssl=1 400w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /> This story originally appeared in Common Dreams on May 13, 2026. It is shared here under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license. Republican state leaders are forging ahead with President Donald Trump’s campaign to rig congressional districts for the GOP, with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Wednesday signing a proclamation for a special legislative session and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster expected to make a similar announcement soon. While GOP policymakers facing pressure from Trump have pursued mid-decade redistricting in several states ahead of the November midterm elections—in which Democrats aim to reclaim majorities in both chambers of Congress—Kemp’s proclamation explicitly states that any changes in Georgia would be for 2028, which is the next presidential cycle. Kemp’s proclamation cites the US Supreme Court’s decision last month that a Louisiana map predating Trump’s redistricting push was “an unconstitutional racial gerrymander,” which gutted the remnants of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. In a statement condemning the proclamation, Common Cause Georgia director Rosario Palacios pointed to the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a key figure in the movement that led to the VRA as well as the Civil Rights Act the previous year. “We will not sit back and watch while Gov. Kemp takes orders from a felon-in-chief to turn Dr. King’s dream into a nightmare. Too many civil rights leaders have done work in our state for us [to] take this sitting down,” Palacios declared. “Common Cause is mobilizing thousands of people to stop state lawmakers from passing any new maps before 2030 that destroy Black voters’ power for political gain. Voters should not have to rely on lawsuits to protect their right to fair representation. Congress must end this abuse once and for all so every voter can cast a ballot in free and fair elections, no matter their political party.” US Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), who is up for reelection in 2028, similarly ripped the Georgia redistricting effort on social media Wednesday: “There is an extreme movement in this country that will stop at nothing to hold on to power, even if it means stripping representation away from millions. I will fight this with everything I have.” Republicans in various states have moved to “shamelessly capitalize” on the April ruling from the high court’s right-wing supermajority. On Monday, as the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Alabama GOP to rescind the creation of its second Black-majority district, Memphis voters sued over a new map targeting Tennessee‘s only majority-Black congressional district. The Congresswoman who represents Selma, Alabama, @RepTerriSewell Alabama’s AG has said he wants maps that turn all of Alabama red. https://t.co/SKtZUs0qgd — Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) May 13, 2026 On Tuesday, as the Missouri Supreme Court declined to strike down a new congressional map that state voters are working to challenge with a referendum, five Republican South Carolina senators joined Democrats in blocking a GOP effort to advance Trump’s gerrymandering campaign in their state. However, The Post and Courier’s Nick Reynolds reported Wednesday that South Carolina Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey (R-25) believes the governor “will call legislators back into a special session amid the redistricting fight.” Also reporting on the anticipated move Wednesday, Politico’s Andrew Howard and Alec Hernandez noted that “McMaster’s plan—confirmed by four people familiar with the decision, who were granted anonymity to share private details—is a reversal of his position earlier this month and follows pressure” from the president and his allies. A redistricting push in South Carolina is expected to target the seat held by Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn—who last month warned that the Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana’s map and the VRA “threatens to send our country deeper into the thicket of never-ending redistricting fights, with repeated aggressive map redraws, protracted legal battles, and relentless partisan tugs-of-war, all of which are destined to result in more regressive court decisions.” This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Jessica Corbett.
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The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 14, 2026
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 14, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. The post The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays – May 14, 2026 appeared first on KPFA. This content originally appeared on KPFA - The Pacifica Evening News, Weekdays and was authored by KPFA.
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Sudan war: staggering civilian suffering continues alongside famine riskUkraine: aid teams condemn night of heavy Russian attacks in Kyiv - OCHAGaza reconstruction envisages building ‘islands’ out of rubble This content originally appeared on UN News - Global perspective Human stories and was authored by Daniel Johnson.
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Counterterrorism Czar’s Blueprint Targets Leftists, Ignores Far-Right Violence and Heaps Praise on Trump
The post Counterterrorism Czar’s Blueprint Targets Leftists, Ignores Far-Right Violence and Heaps Praise on Trump appeared first on ProPublica.
<img src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2194586803_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="A man in a suit, carrying a green folder, looks through a large wooden door. On the other side is a room in the White House that has various flags, a painting, books and, at the forefront, a lectern with the presidential seal. "> Sebastian Gorka, senior director for counterterrorism, at the White House Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images For a year, White House counterterrorism czar Sebastian Gorka promoted the national strategy he was drafting, saying he was pouring his “life’s work” into a “massive” blueprint that would overhaul the U.S. approach to combating terrorist threats. The finished product, released May 6 after months of delays, is a 16-page, typo-sprinkled document that ranks threats based on politics rather than intelligence assessments, according to several current and former counterterrorism officials and threat analysts. Islamist militant groups, the perennial top concern, now come second to Latin American drug cartels. The violent far right, which the FBI has repeatedly called the leading domestic threat, doesn’t merit a mention. Meanwhile, militant leftists, a small subset of extremist violence in the United States, are portrayed as a threat on par with global terrorist networks such as al-Qaida. “A new type of domestic terrorism has emerged,” the document says, “driven by violent extremists who have adopted ideologies antithetical to freedom and the American way of life.” Do You Know More About This Topic? ProPublica’s still reporting. If you know more about U.S. counterterrorism efforts, please reach out. Hannah Allam I’m interested in tips about counterterrorism, court cases involving surveillance or civil liberties, national security personnel changes, threat assessments and the proximity of extremist movements to federal power. Contact Me Gorka’s strategy — the subject of a recent ProPublica report — lavishes praise on President Donald Trump’s national security agenda but offers few details about plans to tackle the administration’s top priorities: Latin American “narcoterrorists,” Islamist militant groups, and violent leftist antifascists and anarchists. Gorka, who coordinates White House counterterrorism policy at the National Security Council, has called the document a “return to common sense” after a 2021 strategy by President Joe Biden centered on mostly far-right domestic threats. The new strategy mentions Biden seven times. “What it tells me is that this administration is not paying attention to the data, to what our allies are seeing globally, or to where the biggest threats of violence come from or how they might be prevented,” said Cynthia Miller-Idriss, founding director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab at American University. Republican leaders often portrayed Biden’s focus on the violent far right as the Democrats cracking down on conservative organizing. That idea fueled Trump’s blanket pardon of more than 1,500 defendants, including those who attacked police, in the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol. Gorka did not reply to a request for comment. The White House, asked about criticisms of the plan, referred to a number of Gorka’s public statements touting it. Olivia Wales, a White House spokesperson, added in an email, “President Trump is crushing terrorist threats to the United States and will never let cartels, Jihadists, or the governments who support them plot against our citizens with impunity.” Here are five notable aspects of the plan, compiled from interviews with counterterrorism personnel and researchers’ published critiques: 1. It’s about Trump, not terrorism. The counterterrorism strategy begins with a signed foreword by Trump, who sets the tone by claiming credit for ending “four years of weakness, failure, surrender, and humiliation under the last administration.” Analysts say the rest of the strategy often reads like a valentine rather than a sober national security communique. Under Trump’s leadership, it states, “America is again the world’s most powerful nation, with the largest economy in history, the most advanced technologies, and the bravest and most skilled warfighters the world has ever seen.” The strategy’s top threat categories align with the president’s pet issues, including the villainizing of Democrats and leftist dissent. The language also echoes debunked right-wing conspiracy theories the president has shared about a stolen election, a purported genocide of Christians and existential threats to Western civilization by what the strategy calls “alien cultures.” One section refers to Christians as “the most persecuted people on Earth.” “This was once a serious document written by serious people” across Democratic and Republican presidencies, veteran terrorism analyst and former Obama administration official Juliette Kayyem lamented on X. “Now it reads like a partisan screed.” 2. Data counter the priorities. Analysts say the most obvious hole is the omission of violent far-right movements. Federal authorities have said for years that neo-Nazi and anti-government militia groups pose the most active and lethal domestic threats, though recently authorities have noted increases in leftist and mixed-motive attacks. For example, on Sept. 10, the same day conservative youth leader Charlie Kirk was assassinated at an outdoor event in Utah, a 16-year-old gunman who was steeped in online forums for white supremacy and mass-shooter fandom opened fire at a Colorado high school, critically wounding two students before killing himself. The strategy is concerned only with the kind of violent extremism the White House ascribes to Kirk’s alleged shooter, who is labeled a violent left-wing “radical who espoused extreme transgender ideologies.” Terrorism analysts say the attack motives do not appear so clear-cut; the suspect, who has yet to go to trial, reportedly comes from a Republican family but had shifted politically and had expressed opposition to the “hatred” he said Kirk spread. Just last week, a lawsuit related to a deadly shooting last year at Florida State University revealed that the gunman had used ChatGPT to explore “his interests in Hitler, Nazis, fascism” and other far-right topics. In a social media post, Jacob Ware, a terrorism researcher who has written extensively about the militant right, called the case a “friendly reminder that the #Trump administration’s new United States Counterterrorism Strategy does not mention far-right violent extremism.” <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" js-autosizes height="771" width="1149" src="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?w=1149" alt="A man in a suit with a serious expression stands behind a gate with his hands clasped together. He has his eyes fixed on the foreground, where President Donald Trump is a blurred figure addressing a crowd." class="wp-image-78615" srcset="https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg 3000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=300,201 300w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=768,515 768w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1024,687 1024w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1536,1030 1536w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2048,1374 2048w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=863,579 863w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=422,283 422w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=552,370 552w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=558,374 558w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=527,353 527w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=752,504 752w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1149,771 1149w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=2000,1341 2000w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=400,268 400w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=800,537 800w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1200,805 1200w, https://www.propublica.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2153465813_preview_maxWidth_3000_maxHeight_3000_ppi_72_embedColorProfile_true_quality_95.jpg?resize=1600,1073 1600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1149px) 100vw, 1149px" /> Gorka’s counterterrorism strategy begins with a signed foreword by President Donald Trump, who claims credit for ending “four years of weakness, failure, surrender, and humiliation.” Justin Lane/Getty Images 3. Policies undermine strategy. Several of the White House’s stated counterterrorism objectives conflict with the president’s own actions, analysts say. For one, the pledge of stepped-up efforts to thwart plots doesn’t factor in the diminished capacity of federal agencies since Trump slashed the national security workforce last year and diverted counterterrorism resources to his mass deportation campaign. Terrorism analyst Colin Clarke, executive director of the security-focused Soufan Center and a Gorka critic, summarized the document as “highly partisan & mostly incoherent.” It touts the seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation as the important capture of a “narco-terrorist outlaw.” But weeks before the Maduro raid, Trump had granted a pardon to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was serving 45 years for trafficking 400 tons of cocaine into the United States. Another U.S. goal is to aggressively counter anti-American propaganda by Islamist extremist groups, which the administration says have been driven from strongholds in the Middle East and are “exploiting the ungoverned spaces” across Africa. Places where “a resurgent terror threat is the reality,” according to the strategy, include West Africa, the Sahel region, Sudan and Somalia. Yet efforts to counter anti-American messaging are undermined by increased U.S. airstrikes with civilian casualties, particularly in Somalia and Yemen, and the cutoff of humanitarian programs across the continent, conflict monitors say. U.S. aid has been a lifeline for communities whose desperation can be exploited by militant recruiters. The strategy calls for a “light military footprint” in Africa, with the expectation that African leaders will take on a greater share of counterterrorism work. But Trump’s halting of foreign aid hobbled regional counterterrorism programs. Conflict monitors, now watching with alarm as Islamist militants capture territory and stage attacks in Mali, urge the administration to pay closer attention to the restive Sahel region and other hot spots. “Terrorists are on the verge of recreating a new caliphate sanctuary that could serve as an incubator for attacks against the US homeland and interests abroad,” Alex Plitsas, a security analyst and former Obama-era Pentagon official, wrote this month after visiting U.S. Africa Command. “The result is a warning for Washington: when the United States and its partners step back, jihadist groups and adversarial powers fill the space,” Plitsas wrote. The strategy also disparages “failed ‘forever war’ policies” at a time Trump’s base is wrestling with his decision to launch the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism. In a call with reporters after his plan was released, Gorka got defensive when asked how the Iran operation was not a “forever war” that could endanger Americans. He called critics “testicularly challenged.” Anna Kelly, a White House spokesperson, drew a distinction: “Unlike the ‘forever wars’ of the past with vague objectives and ever-expanding timelines, President Trump is leading the most transparent administration in history, and he kept Americans apprised of the scope and defined objectives for Operation Epic Fury.” 4. Successes are exaggerated. Trump’s preface opens by celebrating counterterrorism achievements that analysts describe as inflated or lacking in nuance. One example is the claim that, within 43 days of Trump’s return to office, the U.S. had apprehended “the terrorist mastermind” of the deadly Abbey Gate attack in Kabul. In 2021, a suicide bomber detonated in a crowd of civilians outside an airport gate during the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, killing more than 150 Afghans and 13 American service members. In March, the Justice Department hailed the arrest of Afghan national Mohammad Sharifullah, an Islamist militant it said had “orchestrated” the attack. Gorka has publicly recounted the dramatic scene of waiting on the tarmac in the cold at 3 a.m., alongside several Cabinet members, to welcome the plane carrying the handcuffed “man who was responsible for the murder, the massacre.” Last month, just before Gorka’s strategy was released, a federal jury dealt a blow to the “mastermind” narrative by returning a mixed verdict. Sharifullah was convicted of aiding the terrorist group known as Islamic State Khorasan, but the jury deadlocked on whether there was sufficient evidence to hold him responsible for the Abbey Gate deaths. The difference shapes how much time Sharifullah could spend behind bars — the more serious charge was eligible for a life sentence. A Justice Department news release about the conviction (but not the deadlock) was scrubbed of references to Sharifullah as an orchestrator and did not use the “mastermind” language that appeared days later in the White House strategy. Analysts also expressed skepticism about the blueprint’s claim that “hundreds of Jihadist terrorists in multiple countries” had been killed in recent U.S. counterterrorism operations. The administration releases virtually no details about the identities of those targeted or the circumstances of their deaths. Humanitarian groups say they fear the operations could be causing uncounted civilian casualties. 5. Opponents are targeted. Rights watchdogs say the strategy hints at ways Trump administration officials will attempt to build terrorism cases against U.S. leftist and Muslim activists through nebulous or nonexistent ties to transnational militant movements. A link to a foreign entity formally designated as a terrorist group opens the door for government surveillance and potential charges related to providing aid — “material support” in legal jargon — to a foreign terrorist organization. Analysts say that’s why the Trump administration has pursued designations targeting leftist militant groups in Europe under the label of antifa, as well as some branches of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is a century-old Islamist group that renounced violence in the 1970s, though spinoffs such as Hamas remain active and on the U.S. blacklist. Republicans have long tried to portray U.S.-based Muslim advocacy groups as a foothold for the Brotherhood. The document also calls for the rapid “neutralization of violent secular political groups whose ideology is anti-American, radically pro-transgender, and anarchist.” Researchers called the terms ill-defined and said they aren’t used in international counterterrorism work. Miller-Idriss’ overarching concern about the Trump counterterrorism doctrine: “How damaging could it be? Both in the things it’s ignoring and the things that it’s emphasizing.” The post Counterterrorism Czar’s Blueprint Targets Leftists, Ignores Far-Right Violence and Heaps Praise on Trump appeared first on ProPublica. This content originally appeared on ProPublica and was authored by Hannah Allam.
Oren Ziv: Israel is erasing the West Bank’s boundaries
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="An Israeli settler stands next to diggers in Har Ebal (Mount Ebal) settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Nablus , on April 28, 2026. Photo by ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images" data-attachment-id="343498" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/oren-ziv-israel-is-erasing-the-west-banks-boundaries/gettyimages-2273032993" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1708&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1708" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta='{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}' data-image-title="GettyImages-2273032993" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" An Israeli settler stands next to diggers in Har Ebal (Mount Ebal) settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Nablus , on April 28, 2026. Photo by ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1"> “[Israeli] settlers have continued their attacks since the beginning of March. 13 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank during settler raids on Palestinian villages, some of them by civilians, some of them by settlers who serve in the army."
<img width="1024" height="683" src="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1" class="attachment-rss-image-size size-rss-image-size wp-post-image" alt="An Israeli settler stands next to diggers in Har Ebal (Mount Ebal) settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Nablus , on April 28, 2026. Photo by ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images" decoding="async" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1025&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1366&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334&ssl=1 2000w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&ssl=1 780w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?w=2340&ssl=1 2340w, https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1&w=370 370w" sizes="(max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw / 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw / 12)), 100vw" data-attachment-id="343498" data-permalink="https://therealnews.com/oren-ziv-israel-is-erasing-the-west-banks-boundaries/gettyimages-2273032993" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1708&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1708" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="GettyImages-2273032993" data-image-description="" data-image-caption=" An Israeli settler stands next to diggers in Har Ebal (Mount Ebal) settlement in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Nablus , on April 28, 2026. Photo by ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/therealnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273032993-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" /> While the world’s focus has shifted to the war in Iran, Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestinians has continued, and Israeli settlers are rapidly and violently expanding illegal land seizures across the occupied West Bank, with the full backing of the Israeli government, military, and police. In this episode of The Marc Steiner Show, Marc speaks with award-winning Israeli journalist, political commentator, and photographer Oren Ziv about how settler violence, land seizures, and the dismantling of the Oslo Accords-era boundaries are accelerating Israel’s efforts to permanently confine Palestinians and erase the possibility of a Palestinian state. Guests: Oren Ziv is an award-winning Israeli journalist, political commentator, photographer, and reporter for Local Call and +972 Magazine. Ziv the co-founder of The Activestills Collective. Additional links/info: Oren Ziv & Ariel Caine, +972 Magazine, “‘Erasing the lines’: How settler outposts are seizing new regions of the West Bank” Credits: Producer: Rosette Sewali Studio Production: David Hebden Audio Post-Production: Stephen Frank Transcript The following is a rushed transcript and may contain errors. A proofread version will be made available as soon as possible. Marc Steiner: Welcome to the Marc Steiner Show here on the real news. I’m Marc Steiner. It’s great to have you all with us as usual. And my guest today, Oren Ziv, has written an incredibly powerful piece called “Erasing the Lines: How Settlers are Seizing New Regions of the West Bank” and it is published in the Nation Magazine and in +972. Oren is a reporter photographer, co-founder of The Activestills Collective and since 2005, has documented social and political issues in Israel-Palestine and has joined us numerous times before and joins us once again with his new work. And Oren, welcome. Good to have you with us. Oren Ziv: Thank you for having me. Marc Steiner: So just to begin as we talk, before we start our conversation formally here, just to describe as an Israeli, as somebody living in the midst of all this madness taking place, what it’s like and what changes have taken place since the news even that you were just describing a moment ago to me. Oren Ziv: Yeah. So even since we published this article over a month ago about how Israeli settlers are taking over Area A and B areas that according to the Oslo Accords in the mid ’90s and even since we published the article, the Israel government had approved 34 new settlements, many of them based on those kind of outpost or outposts that are officially even illegal by the Israeli law, although they get all the support from the Army police. And the government, of course, settlers have continued their attacks since the beginning of March. 13 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank doing settlers raid on Palestinian villages, some of them by civilians, some of them by settlers who serve in the army. And even while we’re speaking during the last 24 hours while Israel is marking its Independence Day, free Palestinians have been killed by settlers in two different incidents. So what we can see is that the situation is escalating. All the activities on the ground, doesn’t matter if it’s civilian settlers, if it’s settlers who were recruited to the Israeli Army to reserve duty. All this is A, very coordinated and working according to a plan of the Israeli government. They don’t hide it, they say it openly. And B is supported by all the different authorities from the simple soldier on the ground. And in our investigation, we also spoke to soldiers who served in the West Bank in the last two and a half years too high up to the government who give those settlers the tools to carry on these attacks from the weapons to the ATVs they drive into Palestinian villages and of course the facilities, the outposts they establish. Marc Steiner: A couple of things here. Even though it’s not directly in the article, which is really a very thorough and interesting piece, what is the connection between Israel attacking the West Bank at this moment and trying to seize territory and close things down and what happened with Iran? What’s the connection? Oren Ziv: So I think as we saw after October 7th, the Israeli settlers and of course also the government are taking advantage that the international attention, also the Israeli attention, everybody’s attention is to something else and they really know how to identify those moments and really escalate the situation and create facts on the ground. So for example, after October 7th, really in the first days after it, before the genocide escalated in the way we’ve seen it afterwards, settlers have been pushing Palestinian communities out. So they started with Area Sea that is under fullysraeli control in the West Bank, pushing herding communities, farmer communities on the open areas between Ramallah and the Jordan Valley in other areas. They managed to force out around 60 or 70 communities. And what we’ve seen now during the war against Iran is the same policy of escalating in this situation when nobody’s looking to the West Bank erecting new outpost, raiding Palestinian villages, killing it always come those outposts. It’s the same method. Sometimes it happens in the course of a few months. Sometimes it’s very fast and it happens in a few days, but they establish a new outpost. They prevent Palestinian from going out and grazing With their sheeps, with their animals, and then they start invading to the houses, to the communities, stealing sheep, terrorizing the village. If it’s a herding community, if it’s a Bedouin community, many times they managed to force people out even though those are refugees, many times from the Nakba from 48 that had to relocate to the West Bank. They were forced to the West Bank and many times it’s a fourth or fifth time they’re being displaced. If it’s villages, they focus in the beginning of the outskirts of the village, taking over houses, farming area, making people afraid to go out because we’re talking about proper villages with houses, municipality, schools, buildings of sometimes thousands of people and the settlers and they openly say it, now they’re targeting the big villages. And the idea is very similar to what Smotich, Minister Smotich spoke about is that there will not be, of course, a Palestinian state, that Israel will control all the area. And Palestinians will be concentrating six or so areas in the West Bank that are the big Palestinian cities and settlers are taking this policy into action on the ground forcing people to hide in their homes. Marc Steiner: This was not necessarily article, but I’m really curious as to what’s the reaction inside of Israel? I mean, are there movements of any size, groups of Israelis saying no to this action? What’s the struggle like on the ground in Israel? Oren Ziv: So on the ground, you have very small group of radical left doing activists that protest this both inside Israel and more important, also go and do protective presence in those communities, in those villages together with international activists together, of course, with Palestinian activists and community organizers. They’re doing something that is called protective presence that is just being in places in communities that are being attacked again and again by settlers in the army, by army with the settlers or by settlers followed by the army. They sleep there, they spend the nights and days there. In the past, they would help Palestinians go out to the farming areas to the open lands to graze their sheep. Nowadays, it’s more focusing on protecting the community, documenting, trying to call the police or the army, though many times they would come and arrest the Palestinians and the activists. And we know also it’s effective because settlers and the police and army have been targeting those activists arresting them, issuing closed military areas that force them not to be there. And then it’s easier for the settlers to push Palestinian out and also targeting them physically. We’ve seen escalation in the recent months in the attacks. In the past, Israeli or international activists had some kind of protection that settlers were afraid to attack them. Now we’ve seen since the war of Gaza began and escalation that also they’ve been attacked same as Palestinians. Just one day on the 27th of March, one day before the attack against Iran, two Israeli activists, one of them, 50-year-old, 51, 172, went to the village of Kustalan in Nablus to help Palestinian to go back to his house where settlers forced them out. And Israeli settlers on this famous ATV that the government gave them came a mask with clubs and attacked them and injured them so badly Israeli medics had to take them with a helicopter to a hospital inside Israel. They foster almost dead. And of course, even though the Israelis, and it was widely published even in Israel media who usually doesn’t cover these kind of things, some settlers were arrested. It’s a very small outpus. It’s outputs in Area B. It’s very easy to find who did it. Settlers were arrested for two or three days and then released. I contacted the police just last week regarding this. Nobody’s arrested since nobody Marc Steiner: Is Oren Ziv: Held accountable. And of course, this is not an isolated incident from this output. Later a Palestinian was killed attacks against the villages around continue and the army sometimes evicts the tent or the structure the settlors living off, but a few hours later they built it again. And of course, as I said, it serves the Israeli official policy because it’s also convenient for the official Israel, for the army to say, no, these are settlers. It’s not the official policy, but on the ground, this is the official policy. Also, many, many, many mainstream Israelis from the so- called center left, the Zionist center left. They might not like what settlers are doing. Definitely when there’s more extreme violence, they oppose it, but a lot of them and also the mainstream media separate between the extreme settlers and then just the settlers in the West Bank and their leadership and the army and the police and they refuse to see it as one system in the end of the day, the extreme, the so- called extreme settlers and the most violent one, the few hundreds or few thousands that are in the frontline attacking Palestinian, killing them, pushing them out, they’re serving the rest, but more important, they’re getting backup because at the end of the day, each output have support from a nearby settlement that is legal according to the Israeli law. When they attack, they go out from a settlement, they come back. In many attacks, we see more than five or 10 settlers. We see dozens or even hundreds who come from all around the area, not just from illegal outposts according to the Israeli, but also from very well established settlements. Settlements Marc Steiner: That are in the West Bank you’re talking about, not in Israel. Oren Ziv: No, we’re talking about the West Bank. When we’re talking about outposts, it’s settlements that were established by settlers without prior permission by the Israeli government and are authorized later. So at the time they’re even illegal according to the Israeli government. Of course, they get the support from the army many times from the government, but they’re illegal even according to the Israeli law and by time the government recognized them. Marc Steiner: Before we go on, I wish you could explain to people listening to us now when you describe the zones of A, B, and C, what they mean, how they would derive, and what they have to do directly with the oppression of the Palestinians in their land. Oren Ziv: Yeah, definitely. So the Oslo Accord signed by Israekabin and Niasar Alfat in the mid ’90s were supposed to be a path to a Palestinian state. Many argue today that this was never the intention and it was used by Israel just to expand the control over the West Bank, but I’ll put it aside for the moment. And in this agreement, there are three zones in the West Bank. One is Area C where the settlements are, the areas near the border of Israel, where many of the open areas are, the Georgian Valley, many of the agriculture areas. And these areas are according to the accord still are under full Israeli control, both security-wise and municipality and planning-wise. Then you have Area B, which is under Israeli security control and under planning and municipality control, civil control of the Palestinians. And then you have area A, the big cities, Ramallah, Hebron, Lucaram, Jenin, Jericho, Nablus, that they are supposedly under full Palestinian control, meaning the Palestinian police is there, the Palestinian governments is there. Of course, Israel violates the also accords and goes into this Palestinian areas area A and conduct arrests and searches and other actions. But I’m talking about the agreement. It’s important to say that in the future, all this should have been a Palestinian state. Now, as we hear from soldiers and settlers, Area C, they decided, although you have hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in area seats, the vast majority of the open areas in the West Bank, Israel settlers in the Army decided that area sees all Israelis. So the Palestinians who live there under strict restrictions, house demolitions, searches, checkpoints, and they’re not allowed to build without permits. And in general, Israeli is trying to push Palestinians from Area C to Area B and A, so they can enact, if not officially, enact the facto area A to Israel. And on the ground, it’s almost like that. Then you have Area B, which as I said, there’s over 12 outposts in the outskirts of Palestinian towns and villages. And even in recent months, we’ve seen some changes in the discourse of Israeli politicians after an Israeli settler died during what Palestinians describe as a car accident. Some settlers claim it was an attack. A settler and his brother were so- called touring with ATV supplied by the government in Area A and near their illegal outpost. This settler died in this accident/other event. And since then, his family, but later also right-wing politicians have announced this campaign of erasing Oslo. A, B, and C is all Israel, it’s all ours. Just now settlers after his death, settlers established five settlements in Area B, they let it evicted because it’s where the CNN crew was attacked last month incident that got a lot of attention in the US and worldwide. And in general, Israeli settlers and the government are trying to erase this separation between the areas and to make sure that even the very symbolic and very small Palestini authority that exist will be erased. Marc Steiner: So what you’re describing, I was thinking about this. I was reading your article and what you’re saying now. What you’re describing really is a push by the Israeli government to seize control of every aspect of what is now Palestinian life and the West Bank make it actually part of Israel to stop the charade that it’s some kind of other place that can be negotiated, that actually they take it over. And so talk a bit about that and what you think the political reality is around that and what would happen if that actually happens. If they keep this push and they do that and they take over the West Bank completely and build these new syllables. Oren Ziv: Yeah. So as we look on the map of the settlements and since the establishment of this extreme government three and a half years ago, we’ve seen approval of more than 100 settlements. And if you look on the map, it really fits A, the outputs that we describe in our article and B, it really fits Smartridge plan to concentrate the Palestinian in specific areas across the West Bank in very, very small and limited areas. So the settlements are all around them. The official settlements the government approve are not only Area A and B, but they’re really limiting the movement between Palestinian citizen towns and together with the Israeli checkpoints, roadblocks, metal gates, this really makes it hard for the movement of Palestinians and even any imagination of a Palestinian state. That’s of course the official Israeli plan, but as always with Netanyahu and its partners, they don’t want officially to announce the West Bank. They had the plan in 2018, this was put outside and they don’t want to fully enact the West Bank. They don’t want to, of course, talk about one democratic state and to give rights to those Palestinians who they announce. I’m not talking about if Palestinians choose it or not, but on the Israeli side, of course, they’re not talking about annexation even with the limited rights. For example, the Palestinians in East Jerusalem have that they have a residence card and they can move freely all across the territory. So of course they’re not talking about that, but on the ground they’re making changes that even in half a year there will be elections and some less extreme government will be elected. It will be very hard to reverse. Now, of course, everything is changeable. Everything can be removed. We’ve seen it Across history. We’ve seen it also in Israel and Palestine that this engagement from Gaza in 2005 and before that, the withdraw from Southern Lebanon and from Sinai desert in Egypt. So things can change, but they’re kind of making sure that this will be hard. And from past experience with center right governments, we see that not so quickly they cancel or reverse decisions by previous governments. It’s not so easy for them to do it politically and publicly and especially when the extreme right and the settlers of the West Bank, if they will be under position, I think they will make it very, very hard to reverse anything. So they’re creating facts on the ground and for them, they want to make sure there’s no Palestinian state. I think Netanyahu said it in his own voice in recent years and they want to make sure that no matter what, the West Bank will be under Israeli control. Marc Steiner: Forever. Oren Ziv: Yes, correct. Marc Steiner: So as I was reading your article, and I would encourage everybody, we’re going to link to it, it really gives very thorough analysis of what’s happening on the West Bank, what’s happening in the Palestinian villages. This might be an absurd question, but I’ll ask it anyway. Go Oren Ziv: Ahead. Marc Steiner: So what do you think the future holds then? I mean, all the things you wrote about in terms of dismantling Palestinian life, taking over villages, pushing people out, and then often taken over by very right wings and Orthodox settlers moving in to take more control. And you’ve been involved in this and standing up to it as of other Israelis. So where do you think this goes? What do you think the future holds for Israel and the Palestinians if this continues? Oren Ziv: Yeah, it’s a very hard question. And of course on one hand, from what you look now, it’s very pessimistic. On the other hand, on the ground, they don’t manage to push Palestinians out of the West Bank as they want. So after the genocide begin in Gaza, we’ve seen across the West Bank billboards with a photo from Gaza, one of the famous photo of Palestinians from Northern Gaza being forced out into South Gaza with all the belongings, this photo that reminds the 48 Nakaba and was written in Arabic, there’s no future in Palestine. So the settlers, maybe answers a bit your previous question, the settlers do see connection between what happened in Gaza and what’s happening in the West Bank. And at least a year or two ago when they still thought they can force Palestinians out of Gaza, that at least from parts of Gaza, at least from Gaza city. And the Northern part of Gaza, they fought they can duplicate it to the West Bank in Gaza despite the horrific genocide that Israel committed there. They didn’t manage with the plan that we wrote also in 1972. It was a governmental plan to push Palestinians out to Egypt or to other countries. And we’ve seen many reports about these attempts of Israel by plains by Jordan through Egypt, this failed. And I think also in the West Bank, despite the horrific price, Palestinians are paying daily. The big plan is not working. People don’t live. Maybe they’re pushed, I hope, for short time, but they’re pushed to the big cities and towns and out of the farming area, the grazing area, but the push, but the plan to push them out of the West Bank is not working. And it’s important to say that many of the tactics we’ve seen in Gaza, the army is also implemented in a much smaller scale in the West Bank, in the refugee camp, in Ghanina refugee camp, Tulkarian refugee camp, and Nurasham’s refugee camp after years of pressure from Israeli settlers and Israeli right wing politician, they took over a year ago, they forced all the residents out. We’re talking about over 40,000 residents that are refugees from 48 Israel from the Nakaba and started demolishing houses, open roads, not demolishing all the camp, but making it a place that people cannot live at least till they allow them to come back and demolishing dozens of houses with the excuse of opening new roads and shaping in. And same like in Gaza and same like in the war of Israel against the UN, against Unra, also against the refugee camps, they really want to raise the refugee issue and you could say the Palestinian issue in general, but also the fact that so many people in Gaza and in the West Bank are refugees from 48. Marc Steiner: So as you describe in verbally here, but also in your writing, when people resist what’s happening, both Palestinians and Israelis have gone in to help Palestinians to resist, it’s become pretty violent. Oren Ziv: Yes. So before October seven, we’ve seen many protests across the West Bank from the historically, of course, but also in recent years against new settlements two decades ago against this apartheid separation war for prisoner in solidarity of prisoners for many things. And since October 7th, the Israeli army and also the police made it very clear that it’s too dangerous to protest that and people will play enormous price. So we haven’t seen across the West Bank many protests, but as I said, people find alternative ways to show Sudarit is if it’s with the protective presence being on the ground, Israeli international activists, we know we also published on Plus 972 magazine how Bangville formed a special unit in the West Bank police police that doesn’t function when it comes to killing of Palestinians, attacks against human right defense and so on. They have a special unit in the West Bank police to locate arrest and deport international activists. So in their eyes, the problem is not the violence or the human rights violation. It’s the fact that people come to witness it, document it and when they go back also to spread it to their France family and of course wider community. So we’ve seen really a escalation against activists. We’ve seen in numerous villages that activists have been present twenty four seven. The army comes issues a closed military area that theoretically should also limit settlers from going in and arresting the Palestinians. But de facto, it’s not being enforced on settlers and just the activists cannot be with the Palestinians. And unfortunately, at least in a few cases, it forced the Palestinians to leave because they were left with no protection. So it’s an interesting thing to look at how on the ground in very simple and small tools, but the army and the police are assisting those attackers to evict Palestinian communities. And we’re talking about the most vulnerable communities. But as you said, people are present in dozens of villages across the bank. Also, there’s other villages that the Palestinians are organizing to night shifts, tours around the village to protect with … Of course, they’re not allowed to have any weapons to protect themselves, but with flashlights and cars patrolling around the village being present in the most vulnerable families who live in the outskirts, if they live in a farm, if they live in the last houses. And also against that, we’ve seen the army arresting people who are involved in that, demolishing tents that are made as an outpost to look where settler race. But people on the ground are trying to resist in all the methods they have. Marc Steiner: You said one thing I’m curious, so Palestinians are not allowed to have weapons of any kind? Oren Ziv: The Palestinian authority and the Palestinian security bodies have weapons in Area A. They’re not allowed to travel with it to Area C and B. And no, of course not, they’re not allowed to have weapons, but even when they go out to protect themselves from settler raids with stones or stick, they’re being shot and arrested. So we’ve seen many examples that settlers raid a village attack it. When people go out, the army comes to assist the settlers and then shoot or arrest Palestinians. So yeah, Palestinians, of course, they’re not allowed legally to have weapons. They’re not allowed to protect themselves in the most basic tools, even to go out and to stand in front of a settler who’s trying to graze their land or to steal their land. The army might come and say, “You’re not allowed to block this person.” I’m not talking about with a stone or everything just standing and trying to tell the settler you’re not allowed in. Many times the army would come and with orders from the settlers will arrest the Palestinians saying you blocked them, you disturbed them and many other claims. So yeah, the fact is that Palestinians, and this is, I think, is the purpose also that they’re not safe even in their garden in their home. This is the reason settlers establish those outputs so close or sometimes in Palestinian communities, invade the communities days after day to tire the people and harass them when trying to make them live. In many places, people refuse to leave despite the high price they pay. Marc Steiner: Let me just read a line here from your article, which we’ll be attaching to so people can really see what’s going on because you’ve written a really important piece here. When you quote Smart Rich, one of the right wing leaders of the Israeli government saying, “We will erase the lines, the demarcations, the letters. We will settle our land in all its parts.” And then you have local activists saying in response, “Two years authorities have been closing off the village and tightening control over it as much as possible. The last village remaining in Ramallah area that borders the Jordan Valley, the West Bank’s Eastern flank of which Israel is rapidly consolidating control.” I mean, it sounds like a 1984 dystopian nightmare that’s taking over in the West Bank. And as an activist, as somebody who’s Israeli and standing up to this, I’m curious how you maintain your sense of struggle and your optimism in this fight to build a land for all. I mean, I’ll disclose, I have this poster in my study at home that I got in 1968. It has a map of all of the Holy land. It says one state, two people’s three faiths, well, the Palestinian flag on one side and Israeli flag on the other, which I think is a dream of some of us, which probably may never happen. So I’m curious just how do you maintain the sense of struggle in standing up to all this? Oren Ziv: Yeah, I think it’s a good question. One answer that I think about it a lot is that I’m on the ground when I visit those villages, those communities and you see Palestinians that I’m privileged, I have a press card, I have Israeli citizenship. Of course, I can be attacked. I can be harassed. We’ve seen escalation also against us in recent years, but still we’re much, much, much, much more safe and protected than the Palestinians on the frontline on those communities on this town. So when I see them A, standing there and insisting of staying despite all the obstacles, and really they have zero protection. A settler can decide that he comes and opens the outputs in their garden, the army will come, the police will come and might arrest the Palestinian. And then these are daily examples. So that gives me a lot of hope. And also as I mentioned before, when I see the activists, the Palestinian, Israeli international that go there and stay there twenty four seven for weeks, for months. Now because those attacks happen daily, when you stay in a village for every week, when you come often, it just unfortunately, it’s a matter of statistic till you will get attacked. It might be severe, it might be something like, but as we show in the article, and as we talked, settlers nowadays have no border, no lie, no red line because they get support from the government, the army and the police, so they can do almost everything and they will not be held accountable. So when I see those brave activists, when I see those brave families, unfortunately, I documented many, many communities leaving and one of them was a community of Rasanel Uja near the Jordan Valley that has been there for decades and were forced to leave a community of over 1,00 people, refugees also from the negative NACAB in Israel 48. And today the settlers made it a touristic area with the water spring that was used for Palestinians. Now it’s like a touristic site for the settlers. So when I talked to them, they said that without the presence of activists there, they wouldn’t survive this two years and a half of war. They would leave long time ago. So even from the lowest point where somebody has to pack their home and they smelled their home and leave really a second of third Nakba, the hardest thing you can photograph, in my opinion, harder than funerals sometimes or other things, when you hear it from people that it does mean for them that people come and stand with them and Send in solidarity and we are still in contact with many of the families that had to displace to other areas. So it does give you some hope and does give you hope that one day they will be able to return to their land and to their homes and live in some kind of peace and in better conditions. Marc Steiner: It’s always powerful and interesting to talk to you. I really appreciate the time you took and we’re going to link to the articles, people can read it and we’re going to link to your photographs as well so we can see the work that you do and understand exactly what’s going on and look forward to many more conversations with you over the time as we face all this together. And I hope you stay safe. I hope your friends, everybody with you stays safe and thank you so much for your work and your writing and taking your time to be with us today. Oren Ziv: Thank you so much for having me. Thank you. Marc Steiner: Once again, let me thank Oren Ziv for joining us today and we’ll link to his work to his photographic work and writing at orenziv.net. That’s O-R-E-N-Z-I-V.net. And we’re also going to his article that inspired today’s conversation. And thanks to David Hebden for the program today, audio editor Steven Frank for working his magic who was at Sowali for producing the Mark Steiner Show and the title is Kayla Rivera for making it all work behind the scenes and everyone here at The Real News for making this show possible. Please let me know what you thought about what you heard today, what you’d like us to cover. Just write to me at mss@realers.com and I’ll get right back to you. Once again, thank you to Oren Ziv for joining us today and for the work he does, you can see his photography and writing in the links below. So for the crew here at The Real News, I’m Marc Steiner. Stay involved, keep listening and take care. This content originally appeared on The Real News Network and was authored by Marc Steiner.
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