- Israel restricts Christians' access to Holy Saturday celebrations in Jerusalem Middle East Monitor
- Christians celebrate Easter Sunday across Europe Euronews.com
- Palestinians in Gaza, West Bank mark sorrowful Easter amid Israeli attacks Al Jazeera
- ‘They are trying to make it unbearable’: Jerusalem Christians face Easter under Israeli crackdown The Guardian
- Press Release issued by the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem on the Assaults Against Worshippers During Holy Fire Saturday Jerusalem Patriarchate
TikTok trend for ‘Dubai chocolate’ causes international shortage of pistachios
High-end bar with Middle East-style nut filling is rationed in shops as price of raw kernels surges
Product promotion on TikTok is now powerful enough to influence the vast agricultural economies of the US and Iran – at least when it comes to the consumption of high-end confectionery.
A chocolate bar stuffed with a creamy green pistachio filling has become incredibly popular after a series of video clips shared on the social media site. The first bit of footage praising the taste of the expensive so-called “Dubai chocolate” was posted at the end of 2023 and has now been viewed more than 120m times, to say nothing of the many follow-up videos.
Continue reading...Second teachers’ union vows to strike if pay award fails to fund schools in England
NASUWT conference votes to launch strike ballot if spending review does not top up school budgets in full
A second teaching union in England has vowed to strike if the government fails to compensate schools in full for next year’s teachers’ pay award.
The NASUWT union’s annual conference voted to reject any pay offer from the government that did not top up school budgets in June’s spending review, and to “move immediately to ballot members for industrial action”.
Continue reading...US VP Vance discusses thorny issue of migration with Vatican
The Vatican affirmed good relations with the US but noted 'an exchange of opinions' on global conflicts and migration.
Over 170 arrested for attacks on Pakistan KFC outlets in Gaza war protests
Western brands have been hit by boycotts and other forms of protests in Muslim-majority countries due to the Gaza war.
Hopes for Iran nuclear talks tempered by threats and mixed messages
Iranian and US officials agree to continue with a third round of high-stakes talks on a new nuclear deal.
JD Vance had ‘exchange of opinions’ with senior cardinal, Vatican says
US vice-president, who is a Catholic convert, discusses immigration and international wars with secretary of state
The US vice-president, JD Vance, had “an exchange of opinions” with the Vatican’s secretary of state over current international conflicts and immigration when they met on Saturday, the Vatican has said.
The Vatican issued a statement after Vance, a Catholic convert, met Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher. There was no indication he met Pope Francis, who has resumed some official duties during his recovery from pneumonia.
Continue reading...Pakistan expels tens of thousands of Afghans
Pakistan has accelerated its drive to expel Afghans who are undocumented or had temporary permission to stay.
Pakistan expels tens of thousands of Afghans
Pakistan has accelerated its drive to expel Afghans who are undocumented or had temporary permission to stay.
Russia declares unilateral Easter truce; Ukraine says attacks are ongoing
Putin announces a 30-hour ceasefire that Zelenskyy dismisses as 'another attempt by Putin to play with human lives'.
‘Zohran Mamdani represents the future New York’: socialist riding high in bid to be mayor
The progressive Democrat from Queens is the son of a famous film-maker and poised to take on frontrunner Andrew Cuomo
Can a 33-year-old cricket-playing socialist, who wants to freeze rent, make city transport free and once aspired to be a rapper win an already turbulent election to become the next mayor of New York?
Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and state assembly member in Queens, has been the surprise package in the Democratic primary and is now poised to take on the frontrunner in the race, ex-state governor Andrew Cuomo, who is mounting a political comeback after being forced from office in the face of a series of sexual harassment claims.
Continue reading...Further delay as Menendez brothers seek freedom after decades in prison
Brothers had hoped resentencing hearing would pave way for immediate release – but judge orders pause until May
The Menendez brothers have spent years waiting for another day in court and a chance to prove that they should be freed after serving more than three decades in prison for the 1989 slayings of their parents.
This week it appeared their time was perhaps finally coming – a judge was set to review their request for a resentencing and determine whether they have been rehabilitated. Their attorney, Mark Geragos, planned to ask the Los Angeles county judge Michael Jesic to reduce Erik and Lyle Menendez’s charges to manslaughter, which would allow them to be released from prison immediately.
Continue reading...An unexpected Trump ripple: Britain nationalizes its last steel mill – The Washington Post
- An unexpected Trump ripple: Britain nationalizes its last steel mill The Washington Post
- British Steel workers hopeful but cautious over plant's future BBC
- Britain’s government has entered the steel industry with no plan The Economist
- Britain’s race to take control of its last major steel plant from Chinese owner CNN
- Pete Songi on Keir Starmer’s attempt to save British Steel at any cost – cartoon The Guardian
Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw to be redrawn following earthquake
The BBC has seen evidence indicating about 70% of government buildings were damaged by the quake in the capital.
Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw to be redrawn following earthquake
The BBC has seen evidence indicating about 70% of government buildings were damaged by the quake in the capital.
Israeli bombardment of Gaza kills 92 in two days: Health Ministry
At least 219 people injured in attacks since Good Friday, with many children among the casualties, health officials say.
Hamas armed wing says fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander unknown – The Jerusalem Post
- Hamas armed wing says fate of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander unknown The Jerusalem Post
- Hamas releases third video of hostage Elkana Bohbot The Times of Israel
- Hamas Publishes Third Video of Israeli Hostage Elkana Bohbot in Gaza Captivity Haaretz
- Hamas releases new cruel propaganda video of Israeli hostage Elkana Bohbot, claims fate of Edan Alexander unknown All Israel News
- Hamas releases third video of hostage Elkana Bohbot after 561 days in captivity Ynetnews
Gaza had educational justice. Now the genocide has wiped that out, too
For the first time in many years, education in Gaza is only accessible to the well-to-do.
Palestinian government denounces settler threat to Al-Aqsa Mosque
Foreign Ministry calls on international community to deal with 'incitement' to destroy the holy site seriously.
Merz: My goal is to make Germany ‘economically stronger’ – DW
- Merz: My goal is to make Germany 'economically stronger' DW
- German parliament expected to meet May 6 to elect Friedrich Merz as the new chancellor AP News
- The Guardian view on Friedrich Merz’s grand coalition: gambling on a new centre ground | Editorial The Guardian
- What will hinder the work of Germany’s new government and will Merz become Europe’s new leader? Європейська правда
- German coalition deal backs EU’s 90 percent climate target — with caveats politico.eu