BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityCultureBeyoncé’s Cowboy Carter: The verdict – is it Yeehaw or No Ma’am?Published1 day agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Beyonce / InstagramBy Mark SavageMusic correspondent, BBC NewsWhen Beyoncé turned up to the Grammys in a cowboy hat, we should have known that something was afoot.A week later, she officially announced her country era – dropping two surprise singles in the middle of the Super Bowl.One of them, the banjo-riffic Texas Hold ‘Em, became the star’s biggest hit in years. In the UK, it was number one for four weeks – her longest-ever spell at the top.Nashville reacted with a shrug. Country radio only gave the song modest airplay, even as millions of streams propelled it to the top of Billboard’s country chart.This was pretty much what Beyoncé expected. As a Texan, country music is her birth right but, in an Instagram post last week, she wrote that her new album, Cowboy Carter, was “born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed”.This was likely a reference to her appearance at the 2016 Country Music Awards, where she performed her song Daddy Lessons with The Chicks (then known as the Dixie Chicks).Both performers were deemed unwelcome – The Chicks had faced a backlash in the US after criticising former President George W Bush during the Iraq War; while Beyoncé’s vocal support of Black Lives Matter had upset many on the American right. Their performance faced a barrage of criticism – and racism – online. Natalie Maines, lead singer of The Chicks, later told the New York Times that the way Beyoncé was treated after the show was “disgusting.”In her Instagram post, Beyoncé said the experience prompted her to take “a deeper dive into the history of country”. But, she warned: “This ain’t a country album. This is a Beyoncé album.”Too right, it is. Image source, Beyonce / ParkwoodOver 27 interlocking songs and interludes, Cowboy Carter throws a lasso around country’s sonic signifiers, and spins them into something unique: Appalachian fiddles are spliced with pop melodies, and lap steel guitars underscore rap verses with speaker-crushing sub bass. That the genres overlap so seamlessly is evidence of Beyoncé’s technical mastery, but also of her central thesis: That Nashville’s marginalisation of outsiders, and black women in particular, weakens the music in the long run.Beyoncé praised for ‘impressive’ country albumBeyoncé’s always been a country music fan, says dadBlack country singers: ‘We’re tolerated, not celebrated’To emphasise the point, Beyoncé enlists a host of artists who’ve straddled the worlds of pop and country, including Dolly Parton, Willy Nelson, Miley Cyrus and Post Malone. And in one interlude, she juxtaposes the African-American spirituals that inspired country music (the pacifist anthem Down By The Riverside) with swing fiddle tunes that inspired black pioneers of rock and roll (Chuck Berry’s Maybellene, based on the traditional American song Ida Red).”Genres are a funny little concept, aren’t they?” asks Linda Martell, the first black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, on a track called Spaghetti. “In theory, they have a simple definition that’s easy to understand. But in practice, well, some may feel confined.”‘Hussy with the good hair’If this all sounds dry and academic, don’t be put off. Cowboy Carter is a blast, with hooky, memorable songs that are theatrical, mournful, playful, lovestruck, whimsical and carnal – often at the same time.It opens with an acknowledgement that Beyoncé’s recent albums have become socio-political talking points, while asking fans to drown out the chatter. “There’s a lot of talking going on, while I sing my song,” she sings over a psychedelic wash of sitar. “Can you hear me? Do you hear me.”The dramatic opener segues into a faithful cover of The Beatles’ Blackbird – chosen not just for its timeless melody, but for its inspiration: A group of nine black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, who faced discrimination after enrolling in an all-white high school in Arkansas, 1957.It’s never stated explicitly, but the parallels between their struggle and the segregation of country music are duly noted. Image source, Beyonce / InstagramElsewhere, Protector is a gentle, touching ode to motherhood, introduced by a voice note of Beyoncé’s daughter Rumi pleading, “Mum can I hear the lullaby please?”Daughter is much darker – a visceral account of a bathroom stall fight, where Beyoncé leaves another woman “black and blue” on the “filthy floors”. “If you cross me, I’m just like my father / I am colder than Titanic water,” she warns, before the song cedes way to the 18th Century aria, Caro Mio Ben.Intriguingly, this song follows a cover of Dolly Parton’s Jolene – a country blockbuster inspired by a real-life brush with infidelity. Parton herself introduces the track, noting the parallels between her lyrics and “that hussy with the good hair” – a reference to Beyoncé’s 2016 song Sorry, in which she called out “Becky with the good hair” as the (alleged) mistress of her husband, Jay-Z.”No matter the genre, heartache hits the same,” Parton observes.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Beyoncé attended the 2024 Grammys with her husband, Jay-Z, who was being honoured with a lifetime achievement awardOther highlights include the luscious, understated spiritual Just For Fun; and YaYa, a goodtime hoedown that somehow interpolates both the Beach Boys’ Good Vibrations and Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.The use of acoustic instruments (the album is predominantly scored by acoustic guitar, bass and piano) gives the album a more organic, accessible feel than Beyonce’s more recent records. And while Beyoncé delivers all the obvious country signifiers – rhinestones and whiskey, coyotes and snakes, denim and John Wayne – she also finds room for her usual preoccupations: Love, sex, and the general awesomeness of Beyoncé herself. (Your mileage with those more self-congratulatory lyrics will vary depending on your pre-existing views on Beyoncé.)She even gets a dig in at the Grammys, where she’s consistently been overlooked in the major categories, despite becoming one of the defining artists of her generation.”Album of the year, I ain’t win, I ain’t stung by them,” she shrugs on the magnificently-titled Sweet ★ Honey ★ Buckiin’, before promising to “come back” and shake up the industry all over again.Image source, Beyonce / ParkwoodThis new album is part of that plan, an immaculate country-pop record that proves her adaptability and mastery, regardless of genre.It forms the second part of a trilogy that Beyoncé conceived during the Covid-19 lockdown. The first, Renaissance, explored the forgotten black and queer roots of house music. Critics more steeped in the nuances of America’s folk tradition will undoubtedly discover extra layers to Cowboy Carter than this early review can cover.Even the artwork makes that clear. The sleeve shows Beyoncé riding side-saddle on a horse that’s been identified as a Lipizzaner – whose coat turns from black to white over its lifespan. A meta-commentary, perhaps, on the gradual whitewashing of country music.And while those ideas aren’t hard-baked into the lyrics, the very fact that Beyoncé is playing in the country sandbox is the statement: This music should be for everyone, gatekeepers be damned.As she sings in a melody that bookends the album: “Them old ideas are buried here. Amen.”Related TopicsCountry musicBeyoncéMusicMore on this storyBeyoncé praised for ‘impressive’ country albumPublished21 hours agoBeyoncé’s Renaissance tour: Intergalactic explosion of funPublished30 May 2023Beyoncé’s always been a country music fan, says dadPublished21 FebruaryRadio plays Beyoncé after country music outcryPublished15 FebruaryTop StoriesJeffrey Donaldson: From the White House to Antrim police stationPublished6 hours agoDutch nightclub hostage siege ends with man heldPublished54 minutes agoStabbed Iranian TV host’s station ‘faced threats’Published4 hours agoFeaturesWhy are electric car fires so hard to deal with?Seven bills going up and one going down in April’I drove 14 hours to see a Banksy for 10 minutes’AI photos show people with cancer their lost futureEwan McGregor ‘turned into his grandad’ in new roleThe Papers: DUP leader charged and ‘hefty’ water bill riseThe football pitch that doubles as an execution groundCanada’s drug experiment hits strong oppositionA view from inside ship that hit Baltimore bridge. VideoA view from inside ship that hit Baltimore bridgeElsewhere on the BBCAmbition, money and deceptionThe scandalous true story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, starring Amanda SeyfriedAttributioniPlayerGet a job, pay the bills. 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[ad_1] The Texan star’s eighth album adds a country twang to her immaculate blend of pop and hip-hop.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUS Supreme Court appears sceptical of abortion pill casePublished19 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS abortion debateImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A federal judge revoked the FDA’s approval of mifepristone in 2023.By Bernd Debusmann Jr and Kayla EpsteinBBC NewsThe US Supreme Court appeared sceptical of an effort to restrict access to a commonly used abortion drug, mifepristone, during a Tuesday hearing.Several members of the court questioned whether it was an appropriate challenge of the drug’s federal approval.It is the most significant abortion case before America’s top court since it ended the national right to abortion in June 2022.The outcome could affect abortion access for millions.This case centres on decisions made by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, to loosen restrictions of mifepristone’s use since 2016.The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, an umbrella group of anti-abortion doctors and activists, filed a lawsuit in November 2022 alleging that the drug is unsafe and that the federal agency inappropriately expanded access to it. Numerous studies have shown that mifepristone, which was first approved by the FDA in 2000, is safe.But the group, which includes medical professionals, has also argued that its members might suffer harm by having to treat patients who used mifepristone to end a pregnancy. They said that would be in opposition to their own religious beliefs.Elizabeth Prelogar, the US Solicitor General, told the court that the doctors could not show that the FDA’s decisions had directly harmed them.She added that ruling in favour of the anti-abortion group would “severely disrupt the federal system for developing and approving drugs” and “inflict grave harm on women across the nation.”Several of the judges seemed to find the basis for the case dubious. Even some of the conservative justices who have ruled in favour of anti-abortion plaintiffs in the past questioned whether the doctors had suffered due to the rule changes. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, pressed the group’s attorneys on whether two of the doctors cited in the case had been forced to terminate a pregnancy against their will. How abortion pill ruling threatens other drugs How safe is the abortion pill mifepristone?Some of the justices, both liberal and conservative, asked whether there was a “mismatch” between the injuries claimed by the group and the changes they were pursuing – limiting millions of Americans’ access to mifepristone. Justice Neil Gorsuch, another conservative judge appointed by Mr Trump, questioned whether a ruling in their favour could open the door to “a handful of individuals” turning a “small lawsuit into a nationwide legislative assembly on an FDA rule, or any other federal government action”. Two of the court’s liberal justices, Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, asked why the doctors were not already protected by their right to lodge conscience objections to certain procedures, like abortion.Mifepristone is used in combination with another drug – misoprostol – for medical abortions, and it is now the most common way to have an abortion in the US.Medical abortions accounted for 63% of all abortions in 2023, up from 53% in 2020, according to the Guttmacher Institute. More than five million US women have used mifepristone to terminate their pregnancies. The court has previously ruled that it would not consider a challenge of the FDA’s approval of the drug, but a ruling against the FDA could severely limit access as it would roll back the expansion of access that has occurred since 2016. The FDA announced in 2016 that it would allow mifepristone’s use until the 10-week mark, rather than up to seven weeks of gestation. Then in 2021 it lifted in-person dispensing requirements, a move that allowed providers to send it to patients by mail. In 2022, the FDA moved further by allowing retail pharmacies to dispense the drug, meaning medical professionals – not just doctors – could prescribe it. The following year, a judge in Texas revoked the FDA’s approval of mifepristone. Abortion remains one of the most contentious political issues in the US, and will likely be a major factor in the 2024 election.On Tuesday, dozens of protesters from both sides of the debate gathered outside the US Supreme Court during oral arguments. They waved signs that read, “We won’t go back to the 1950s” and “abortion kills.” Thirteen of the protesters were arrested for illegally blocking roads and a walkway, according to the US Capitol Police.Related TopicsAbortionUS abortion debateUnited StatesMore on this storyHow abortion pill ruling threatens other drugs Published12 April 2023How safe is the abortion pill mifepristone?Published19 April 2023Four ways the end of Roe v Wade has changed AmericaPublished24 June 2023Top StoriesLive. Ship that collided with Baltimore bridge lost power – governorLive. Israel claims UN ceasefire resolution has damaged negotiations with HamasTwo ministers quit government in mini-reshufflePublished30 minutes agoFeaturesWhat we know about Baltimore bridge collapseIn pictures: Baltimore bridge collapseKate rumours linked to Russian disinformationWho is Julian Assange and why is he facing extradition?How do I know if my smart meter is broken?Striking kite-flying picture scoops top prize19th Century law fires up anti-abortion pushHow much is the BBC licence fee and what does it pay for?Bowen: Biden has decided strong words are not enoughElsewhere on the BBCConquering Everest’s ‘Death Zone’ on skisFind out how a Japanese alpinist became the first person to ski down Mount EverestAttributionSounds’You do feel like you’re invincible’Why are so many young men risking their lives on the UK’s roads?AttributioniPlayerHow Trump’s golf dream turned into a nightmare…His controversial golf development in Aberdeenshire was greenlit with awful consequencesAttributionSoundsHow many big hits from 1995 will you remember?Featuring Ace of Base, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, David Bowie and many moreAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Kate rumours linked to Russian disinformation2Church limited Clapham attacker’s attendance3Pupils are injured in crush at school gate4Two ministers quit government in mini-reshuffle5North Korea censors Alan Titchmarsh’s trousers6British Gas chief’s pay package jumps to £8.2m7Russia blames West and Kyiv for Moscow jihadist attack8Tory’s mayoral contest ad showed New York not London9BBC to explore reform of licence fee10Assange judges seek no death penalty pledge from US

[ad_1] Both conservative and liberal justices seemed dubious about limiting access to a drug used by million of women.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaAre Hong Kong’s days as a global business hub over?Published3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Alexi RosenfeldImage caption, Hong Kong’s future as an a global finance hub is in doubt following a tough new security lawBy Joyce LeeBBC Chinese, Hong KongThere is a new running joke in Hong Kong: locals mock their city for losing its status as the darling of global capital. As one joked, it is the newest UNESCO world heritage site.A tough security law – Article 23 – that came into effect over the weekend has only renewed the underlying concerns. Authorities say it will protect the city and ensure stability, while critics are alarmed it will silence all dissent with its closed-door trials and life sentences for broadly-defined offences – from insurrection to treason. It comes at a time when Beijing’s iron grip and US-China tensions were already driving away foreign investors who now have an “anywhere but China” policy, says Mr Chan, a real estate surveyor, who did not wish to disclose his full name. “Hong Kong was seen as distinct from China so investors could still invest here – not anymore now,” he says.Article 23 and after The emphasis on national security and the danger posed by “foreign forces” – a running theme in the legislation and in Beijing’s recent policies – raises the stakes for foreign capital and businesses operating in the city. “The business has been awful in the past two years and there was no major deal at all,” says Mr Tse, who works for a Chinese state-owned bank. He said his company fired 10% of their staff in June and another 5% just this past week. “No one knows when it will be their turn.”While it is too early to evaluate the risks of Article 23 to businesses, it could lead to higher compliance costs because of its “broad wording” and the “severe consequences of a breach”, says Johannes Hack, the president of the German Chamber of Commerce.The Hong Kong government told the BBC in a statement that Article 23 will make the city “advance from stability to prosperity”, and will not affect “normal” businesses. It also said it is “outrageous” to single out Hong Kong when other countries have security laws too.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Beijing imposed the national security law in 2020 after unprecedented protests a year earlierHong Kong’s Article 23, which expands on national security legislation imposed by China in 2020, comes at a time when the city’s administration is trying to reassure the world that it’s still a financial dynamo. The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce argued it “will make Hong Kong a safer destination for local and foreign businesses and professionals operating” in the city, while Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee had dismissed as “ridiculous” the notion that the administration only cared about national security, calling such concerns a form of “soft resistance”. Hong Kong’s economy has been reeling from Beijing’s crackdown since the pro-democracy protests in 2019 and a harsh zero-Covid policy. Rentals for commercial and retail spaces have fallen, leaving office buildings and shopfronts vacant. There are fewer tourists – last year’s arrivals were only 60% of the pre-pandemic figure. The value of the Hang Seng index – Hong Kong’s crown jewel – has fallen by more than 40% since 2019. India overtook it in January to become the world’s fourth-largest stock market. Singapore has emerged as a stiff regional rival for finance. Global banks have been laying off people focused on Hong Kong and China, pointing to sluggish growth and plummeting investor confidence. An exodus of capital and people has followed, with the former head of Morgan Stanley Asia declaring recently in a newspaper column that “Hong Kong is over”. Veteran investor Lam Yat-ming wrote in an economic magazine that investors should “cherish their lives and distance themselves from Hong Kong stocks”. “Outside perception of Hong Kong” has changed, Mr Hack says.”While the city is still distinctly different from the mainland, the focus on security may increasingly blur the distinction in people’s minds.” One country, two systems The former British colony has been run under the principle of “one country, two systems” since its return to China in 1997. Beijing promised that Hong Kong would enjoy civil liberties for half a century.But critics say it has reneged on the deal, crushing pro-democracy protests and imposing a national security law (NSL) in 2020 under which more than 260 people, including former lawmakers, have been arrested. Authorities defend it, saying it marked the transition from “chaos to governance”. A local security law, outlined in the city’s mini constitution, was always on the cards. The first attempt in 2003 failed after half a million people took to the streets against it. This time, Article 23 was passed less than two weeks after it was tabled. Under Xi Jinping, China attaches “absolute importance” to national security – and Hong Kong’s status as a free society and an international gateway comes second, says Kenneth Chan, a political scientist at Hong Kong Baptist University.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jimmy Lai’s case has had an impact on Hong Kong’s reputation as an international financial centre, Dr Chan saysHe says the arrest of Jimmy Lai, the former media mogul who has been charged under the NSL, was an “awakening for the international community”. “The national security law has no limits. Personal safety, private property rights, and individual assets are not guaranteed,” Dr Chan adds. After police raided Mr Lai’s Apple Daily newspaper in 2021, trading in his company was suspended and it was delisted the following year. The 76-year-old tycoon, who is now on trial, has been behind bars for three years and his assets worth HK$500 million ($64m; £50m) have been frozen. Hong Kong’s common law system, which underpins its rule of law, has come under scrutiny following the trials of pro-democracy protesters. But the city’s judiciary is perceived as independent, at least over commercial matters, although critics worry that Mr Lee can now pick judges handling national security cases. Under such security laws, businesses in Hong Kong have to adopt additional measures to mitigate political risk – just like in the mainland, Dr Chan says. “No-one can grasp the political direction, so big companies have started recruiting political consultants to evaluate risks and build political connections. These are all new costs, leading to lower efficiency.” To invest or not The city should not be discounted as an international financial hub, says Kevin Tsui, chief economist at the research firm Orientis. He adds that Hong Kong should make use of its advantages – a simple, low-rate tax system, and the fact that it’s the only Chinese city with no foreign exchange controls. The Hong Kong dollar is also pegged to the US dollar, providing financial stability.”Even if Hong Kong is just a Chinese city, foreigners want to do business with China,” he says. And yet confidence in the city has been shaken, not least because it is also feeling the heat of a slowing Chinese economy, which has been hit by debt and a property market crisis. The mainland is the city’s biggest trading partner and second-largest source of investment. Half of the 2,600 companies listed on Hong Kong’s stock market are from mainland China.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Shares on the city’s prized stock market have plummeted by 40% in five yearsBut a new rule Beijing introduced last year requires Chinese companies to have official approval to list overseas. This has made the process far more cumbersome, said a banker who spoke on the condition of anonymity.”We can only wait because we have no idea about the progress. If the companies are involved in sensitive industries such as data security or genetic technology, the process will be extremely slow,” he said.Hong Kong, which ranked as the world’s number one IPO venue in seven of the last 15 years, is now in the eighth spot, according to industry reports. “Beijing wants private companies to raise funds internationally to salvage the economy, but at the same time it worries these companies will no longer be under [their] control after listing,” says the banker who wanted to remain anonymous. “They want to control everything, but it will kill the financial market eventually.” Additional reporting by Grace Tsoi in Hong Kong Related TopicsChinaHong Kong national security lawHong KongAsia BusinessMore on this storyHong Kong passes tough security law fought by protesters for yearsPublished5 days agoWhat is Hong Kong’s tough new security law?Published5 days agoWhat is Hong Kong’s national security law?Published6 days agoTop StoriesRussia charges four men over Moscow concert attackPublished1 hour agoRosenberg: As Russia mourns, how will Putin react to concert attack?Published4 hours agoUK to link electoral roll cyber-attacks to ChinaPublished5 minutes agoFeaturesIs now the time Palestinian politics can start afresh?Did Russia ignore US ‘extremist’ attacks warning?The Brazilian teen who scored winner against EnglandAttributionSportYour pictures on the theme of ‘reflections’‘Having a certificate of loss proves my baby existed’Kate cancer diagnosis rewrites story of past weeksSimon Harris – the man on the brink of Irish history England kits ‘should connect people’From the desert to the icy waters of WalesElsewhere on the BBCBorn to survive, built to thrive…Sir David Attenborough follows the journeys of our closest relatives in the animal kingdomAttributioniPlayerCan you spot the AI images from the real ones?Challenge your detection skills with this deceptive quizAttributionBitesizeThe unheard Banksy interview…In this bonus episode, James Peak tracks down the recording from 2003AttributionSoundsFrom Starman to film star…How did the silver screen inspire David Bowie?AttributioniPlayerMost Read1Russia charges four men over Moscow concert attack2The Jewish settlers who want to build homes in Gaza3Murder arrest at Heathrow after man hit by car4Scientists to hunt mysterious ‘ghost’ particles5Avanti to pay train drivers £600 a shift for overtime6Are Hong Kong’s days as a global business hub over?7Boy, 12, charged with attempted murder8Rosenberg: As Russia mourns, how will Putin react to concert attack?9’China hack attack’ and ‘UK nuclear defence boost’10Dragon Ball theme park to be built in Saudi Arabia

[ad_1] The city should not be discounted as an international financial hub, says Kevin Tsui, chief economist at the research firm Orientis. He adds that Hong Kong should make use…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaIndia elections 2024: Vote to be held in seven stagesPublished19 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Narendra Modi’s ruling BJP is eyeing a record third termIndia’s general election will take place in seven phases over April and May, the Election Commission says.The results will be announced on 4 June, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar told a news conference.With some 968 million eligible voters, India’s election will be the largest the world has seen.Opinion polls predict a win for Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies, which is eyeing a record third term in power. More than two dozen opposition parties, including the Congress, have formed a coalition bloc – called the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or INDIA – to take on the BJP at this election.India’s opposition challenge to Modi may be implodingIndia’s lower house has 543 elected seats and any party or a coalition needs a minimum of 272 MPs to form a government.The BJP, led by Mr Modi, had won a staggering 303 of the 543 seats in the 2019 election. This year, the party says its target is to win at least 370 seats.Some states will hold polls in several phases. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The 2024 Indian elections will see 26 million new votersVoting will be staggered, beginning on 19 April and ending on 1 June, Mr Kumar said.”We will take democracy to every corner of the country,” he said. “It is our promise to deliver a national election in a manner that we… remain a beacon for democracy around the world.”Some 968 million people – 150 million more than the last elections in 2019 – are eligible to vote.”Over 26 million new voters have been included in the electoral roll, of which approximately 14 million are women, surpassing the newly enrolled men by over 15%,” the Election Commission said.Electronic voting machines will be used and will contain a None of the Above (Nota) button.India appointed two new election commissioners on Thursday to fill vacant spots in the three-person Election Commission. Days before the poll dates were announced, the sudden resignation of Arun Goel, the second-highest officer in the Election Commission, had left the poll body with only one of the three mandated members, the chief election commissioner.Meanwhile, India’s Supreme Court continues to hear a case regarding the controversial electoral bonds scheme that allowed people and companies to make political donations anonymously. The Election Commission has released a list of India’s leading political donors. Mr Modi’s BJP was the biggest beneficiary, securing almost half of the bonds worth 120bn rupees donated between 2018 and 2024.Read more India stories from the BBC:Lottery firm tops list of India’s political donorsWater crisis shakes India’s Silicon ValleyThe cruel Yale benefactor who traded in Indian slavesIndia to enforce migrant law that excludes MuslimsThe journalist caught in Kashmir’s ‘revolving door’ of arrestsRelated TopicsAsiaIndiaTop Stories’He will come back’ – Israeli hostage families cling to hope, and demand a dealPublished6 hours agoCouncils told to consider residents’ support of LTNsPublished6 hours agoIceland volcano lava nears Grindavik in new eruptionPublished4 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: ‘Shapps missile threat’ and ‘Strictly stars summit’Game of Thrones creators: Why we swapped dragons for aliens in new showHow much trouble is Boeing in?’I got my first death threat before I was elected’What it’s like styling Zendaya for a red carpetAs notorious death row closes, inmates fear what awaits in new prisonsThe bomb scare, the police and the drag queenIdris Elba ‘dreams big’ with West African eco-city plan’My vet wanted £120 for a cream. Total rip off’Elsewhere on the BBCFrom the largest ship to disasters on deck…A closer look at times when cruise ships have caused commotionAttributioniPlayer’It was a song that broke all the rules’The epic story behind Bohemian Rhapsody, featuring Brian May and Roger TaylorAttributioniPlayerExploring the mysterious deaths of Nazi fugitivesThree brothers investigate whether a family connection may explain the truthAttributioniPlayerCan new evidence solve aviation’s greatest mystery?Ten years after the Malaysian Airlines flight disappeared, new technology may explain whyAttributioniPlayerMost Read1’Shapps missile threat’ and ‘Strictly stars summit’2How much trouble is Boeing in?3Councils told to consider residents’ support of LTNs4Derek Thompson exits Casualty after 38 years5Iceland volcano lava nears Grindavik in new eruption6Game of Thrones creators: Why we swapped dragons for aliens in new show7Shapps abandoned Ukraine trip over security – MoD8’I got my first death threat before I was elected’9Ed Davey calls for ‘once in generation’ election10’Unprecedented’ M25 closures enter third day

[ad_1] Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a rare third term in the vote beginning in April.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSuper Tuesday: Four things to watch out for as Americans votePublished7 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS election 2024This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Why this Super Tuesday isn’t as exciting as past onesBy Anthony ZurcherNorth America correspondentUS voters head to the polls in 15 states spanning the breadth of the continent on Tuesday, from Maine to California and Alaska to Alabama. At stake are more than a third of the delegates to this summer’s Democratic and Republican conventions, which will determine the two major parties’ presidential candidates.It is the biggest one-day prize of the presidential nomination calendar, conducted in states (and American Samoa) with a total population of more than 134 million.This year’s Super Tuesday is not expected to generate many surprises, with Joe Biden and Donald Trump continuing their march towards a rematch of the 2020 election in November.As the results roll in throughout the evening, however, there will still be plenty to watch out for. Here are four key things to keep in mind.What is Super Tuesday and why is it important?1. A Trump rout in the making?Republicans have held nine nomination contests so far (with a 10th in North Dakota on Monday). In all but one – Sunday’s primary in Washington DC – Donald Trump has been victorious.Polls indicate that the former president will run the table on Super Tuesday, carrying the 15 states by a comfortable margin. If he does so, he will build up a near-insurmountable lead in convention delegates, given that many of the states allocate their entire slate of delegates to whoever wins a majority of the vote.While Mr Trump may not be able to mathematically guarantee that he is the Republican Party nominee, a strong Super Tuesday should eliminate whatever shadow of doubt there was remaining even after his early successes. Behind what should be formidable top-line numbers, however, keep an eye on exit polls that may reveal continued disaffection with the former president among some primary voters. Earlier surveys indicated a not insignificant minority would not support Mr Trump in November – or could turn on him if he were to be found guilty in one of his trials.Image source, Getty Images2. Nikki Haley’s exit planThe former South Carolina governor, Mr Trump’s sole remaining Republican opponent, has benefitted from the support of many of those anti-Trump primary voters, but it hasn’t been nearly enough. She has doggedly stayed in the race despite a streak of bad results (Washington DC, notwithstanding). Weeks ago she pledged to stick it out through Super Tuesday, hoping to add to her delegate totals, particularly in the 11 states holding primaries that are open to non-Republican voters, an area of relative strength for her.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Haley seen at a campaign rally in North Carolina on SaturdayAlready, however, rumours are floating that she is preparing to end her campaign in the days ahead.A particularly thorough drubbing on Tuesday may accelerate those plans or even lead her to throw in the towel that evening. Assuming she doesn’t do that, look for hints in her speech on Tuesday night as to her plans in the coming days.Will she ultimately endorse Mr Trump, as her fellow non-Trump presidential rivals have? Would she reconsider an independent presidential bid? Is she already positioning for a 2028 presidential run?At 53, Ms Haley is still young (for a national politician). But the decisions she makes after Super Tuesday could go a long way in determining what doors open and which are slammed shut.3. A Biden protest voteIf there’s little drama in the Republican primary race at this point, there’s practically none on the Democratic side. Joe Biden has rolled to comfortable victories against token opposition in South Carolina and Michigan (as well as a nonbinding vote in New Hampshire). He appears poised to continue his march on Tuesday.The most consequential obstacle to the president so far has come from those who oppose his Gaza policy. They accuse him of turning a blind eye to what critics regard as Palestinian genocide, an accusation which Israel vehemently denies, saying it is focused on destroying Hamas.In Michigan last week, more than 100,000 voters – 12% of the total – turned out to cast ballots for “uncommitted” instead of for Mr Biden, as part of an organised Gaza war protest.While there do not seem to be similar efforts in the 14 states that hold Democratic votes on Tuesday (Republicans are also voting in Alaska), watch the results to see if there are any significant non-Biden surprises. With its largest-in-the-nation Muslim and Arab population, Michigan’s results may be the high water mark for the Gaza protest. But turnout levels across the US, as well as opinions registered in exit polls by Democratic voters, could provide indications of the strength (or weakness) of Mr Biden’s campaign efforts so far.4. Down-ballot dramaIn several states, voters are casting primary ballots for more than just president. How those results shake out will help determine what kind of political environment Mr Trump or Mr Biden has to deal with after taking the oath of office next January.California is holding its non-partisan “jungle” primary, where the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. Voters there are deciding on candidates for the Senate seat held by Dianne Feinstein, who died last year, and determining opponents for several Republican House incumbents who are high on the Democratic target list.In Texas, the big battles are within the Republican Party, as Attorney General Ken Paxton – with the help of Donald Trump – is targeting state politicians who unsuccessfully tried to remove him from office on corruption charges. The legislature in the second-most populous US state is already run by Republicans who have enacted aggressive legislation on voting rules, abortion and immigration. It could swing even further to the right if Mr Paxton’s efforts are successful.North Carolina is the only swing state voting on Super Tuesday and there’s a lot going on there. Its race for governor will be one of the closest watched in November and if they win their primaries it will pit the state’s Democratic attorney general, Josh Stein, against Republican front-runner, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson.North Carolina has primaries for five open House of Representatives seats. Because the state’s Republican-controlled legislature redrew the maps to favour their party and limit closely contested races, the votes on Tuesday will probably determine who goes on to comfortably win in November.If you’re in the UK, sign up here.And if you’re anywhere else, sign up here.Related TopicsUS election 2024Donald TrumpUS politicsUnited StatesJoe BidenMore on this storyWhat is Super Tuesday and why is it important?Published5 hours agoWhere Biden v Trump will be won and lostPublished31 JanuaryA simple guide to the US 2024 electionPublished24 JanuaryIs it time for America’s elder statesmen to retire?Published20 November 2023Top StoriesToxic culture of fear in swimming clubs systemic, review findsPublished37 minutes agoCouncils to be told to cut diversity plans in BudgetPublished39 minutes ago’I earn £22,000 and want more cost-of-living help in the Budget’Published3 hours agoFeaturesFour things to watch as millions vote on Super TuesdayTax, childcare, vapes: What could be in the Budget?Moment astronauts hug as they arrive at space station. VideoMoment astronauts hug as they arrive at space stationThe sound that signalled death for IRA ‘informers’In Ukraine, the show must go on – even undergroundInside the Gaza camp for widows and childrenWatch: Chinese boats fire water at a Philippine vessel. VideoWatch: Chinese boats fire water at a Philippine vesselTransparency tool launched by BBC Verify. VideoTransparency tool launched by BBC Verify’We feel like it’s us repaying Birmingham’s debt’Elsewhere on the BBCCan you beat the energy price cut?Tune in to Martin’s advice on the latest energy cuts, train crises and money tipsAttributionSoundsThe ultimate bromanceWatch the masters of satire Peter Cook and Dudley Moore with a look back through the archivesAttributioniPlayerAgeing, nicknames and cinema shoutingComedian Frank Skinner dishes out laughs and wisdom in this latest interviewAttributionSoundsWet Wet Wet, The Pretenders and Bon JoviRevisit the original Top of the Pops archives for the biggest stars and most outrageous outfitsAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Woman yanked into air by shop shutters finds fame2One hurt as double-decker bus crashes into building3Councils to be told to cut diversity plans in Budget4’I earn £1,600 a month and two-thirds goes on bills’5Toxic culture of fear in swimming systemic – review6Kate’s uncle joins Celebrity Big Brother7The sound that signalled death for IRA ‘informers’8Far-left group says it targeted Tesla in arson attack9Girl held and stripped twice by male prison staff10Russian Black Sea ship ‘sunk in drone attack’

[ad_1] California is holding its non-partisan “jungle” primary, where the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. Voters there are deciding on candidates for the…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaThousands rally in support of Brazil’s ex-leader Jair BolsonaroThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Thousands rally in support of Brazil’s ex-leader Jair BolsonaroCloseTens of thousands of people gathered on Sao Paulo’s iconic Paulista Avenue to show support to Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, as the investigation continues into claims he plotted a coup with allies to remain in power after his failed 2022 re-election bid.Mr Bolsonao, dressed in the green and yellow colours of the national flag, addressed the crowds and put his hand on his chest whilst singing the national anthem.Police accuse him of having led a failed plot to remain in power after losing the election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.Mr Bolsonaro says the operation is politically motivated.SubsectionLatin America & CaribbeanPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore moreThousands attend Bolsonaro rally in Brazil. Video, 00:00:41Thousands attend Bolsonaro rally in BrazilSubsectionLatin America & CaribbeanPublished1 hour ago0:41Up Next. Watch: Fireworks as giant Carnival sculptures roll through Rio. Video, 00:00:52Watch: Fireworks as giant Carnival sculptures roll through RioSubsectionLatin America & CaribbeanPublished12 FebruaryUp Next0:52State of emergency after Brazil river turns to foam. Video, 00:00:31State of emergency after Brazil river turns to foamSubsectionLatin America & CaribbeanPublished30 January0:31Colombian authorities blow up illegal Amazon mines. Video, 00:01:01Colombian authorities blow up illegal Amazon minesSubsectionLatin America & CaribbeanPublished6 December 20231:01Editor’s recommendationsFarmers’ anger erupts at trade show in Paris. Video, 00:01:06Farmers’ anger erupts at trade show in ParisSubsectionEuropePublished1 day ago1:06Watch: A look back at the Ukraine war two years on. Video, 00:04:26Watch: A look back at the Ukraine war two years onSubsectionEuropePublished1 day ago4:26Video shows fire engulfing Valencia tower block. Video, 00:01:10Video shows fire engulfing Valencia tower blockSubsectionEuropePublished2 days ago1:10‘We are transmitting’: Us Moon mission touches down. Video, 00:00:26‘We are transmitting’: Us Moon mission touches downSubsectionScience & EnvironmentPublished2 days ago0:26Dozens of cars pile up after icy Chinese highway crash. Video, 00:00:35Dozens of cars pile up after icy Chinese highway crashSubsectionChinaPublished2 days ago0:35New bodycam video of Rust set shown in court. Video, 00:01:51New bodycam video of Rust set shown in courtSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished2 days ago1:51Moment two rescued from deadly Spain tower block fires. Video, 00:00:35Moment two rescued from deadly Spain tower block firesSubsectionEuropePublished3 days ago0:35Watch accused killer policeman hand himself in. Video, 00:00:17Watch accused killer policeman hand himself inSubsectionAustraliaPublished2 days ago0:17US teen punished for hairstyle at school speaks out. Video, 00:01:20US teen punished for hairstyle at school speaks outSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished3 days ago1:20

[ad_1] Tens of thousands of people gathered on Sao Paulo’s iconic Paulista Avenue to show support to Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, as the investigation continues into claims he plotted a…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaAvdiivka: Ukraine troops leaving embattled eastern townPublished20 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, RL/SERHII NUZHNENKO/ReutersImage caption, Avdiivka has been almost completely destroyed during months of fierce fightingBy Jaroslav LukivBBC NewsUkraine’s military says it is withdrawing its troops from Avdiivka – the key eastern town besieged by Russian forces.Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said he acted “to avoid encirclement and preserve the lives and health of service personnel”.He added that the troops were being moved to “more favourable lines”.Avdiivka – a gateway to the Russian-seized city of Donetsk – has been engulfed in fierce fighting for months.The town – which has been almost completely destroyed – has been on the front line since 2014, when Russian-backed fighters seized large swathes of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions.The fall of Avdiivka marks the biggest change on the more than 1,000km-long (620-mile) front line since Russian troops seized the nearby town of Bakhmut in May 2023.Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.Ukraine battles frostbite and shell shortage in ruined town Nothing but rubble: Ukraine’s shattered ghost town AvdiivkaIn a statement on Facebook early on Saturday, Gen Col Syrskyi said his decision was based on “the operational situation around Avdiivka”.”Our soldiers performed their military duty with dignity, did everything possible to destroy the best Russian military units, inflicted significant losses on the enemy in terms of manpower and equipment.”Gen Syrskyi – who was only appointed as the country’s top commander a few days ago – said Ukrainian troops were “taking measures to stabilise the situation and maintain our positions.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, “I will die here”: Evacuation “angels” help front-line town’s last residents fleeUS National Security Council spokesman John Kirby had earlier warned that Avdiivka was “at risk of falling into Russian control”.He said this was largely “because the Ukrainian forces on the ground are running out of artillery ammunition”.”Russia is sending wave after wave of conscript forces to attack Ukrainian positions,” he said. “And because Congress has yet to pass the supplemental bill, we have not been able to provide Ukraine with the artillery shells that they desperately need to disrupt these Russian assaults.”Earlier this week, the US Senate approved a $95bn (£75bn) foreign aid package – including $60bn for Ukraine – after months of political wrangling, but it faces an uphill battle in the House of Representatives.Ukraine is critically dependent on weapons supplies from the US and other Western allies to keep fighting Russia – a much bigger military force with an abundance of artillery ammunition.Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned on Thursday that the US failure to approve continued military assistance to Ukraine was already having an impact on the battlefield.Russian troops have been making significant gains in Avdiivka recently, threatening to encircle it.Some Ukrainian soldiers privately admitted the town could fall at any moment.”We’re upset,” Ukrainian officer Oleksii, from Ukraine’s 110th Mechanised Brigade in the Avdiivka area, told the BBC earlier this week, standing beside a huge mobile artillery piece as Russian guns boomed in the distance.”Currently we have two shells, but we have no [explosive] charges for them… so we can’t fire them. As of now, we have run out of shells,” said Oleksii. Related TopicsWar in UkraineRussiaUkraineMore on this storyUkraine battles frostbite and shell shortage in ruined townPublished1 day agoNothing but rubble: Ukraine’s shattered ghost town AvdiivkaPublished30 JanuaryFull cemeteries and empty homes: Ukrainians struggle to endurePublished2 days agoThe Ukrainians ‘disappearing’ in Russia’s prisonsPublished7 days agoTop StoriesLive. ‘Putin is responsible’ – Biden speaks out after report of Navalny’s deathNavalny was often asked: ‘Do you fear for your life?’Published6 hours agoTrump ordered to pay $354m in New York fraud casePublished11 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: Putin ‘must pay for Navalny’ and Harry reaches outAlexei Navalny: What we know about reports of his deathArrested and poisoned: See Navalny’s moments of defiance. VideoArrested and poisoned: See Navalny’s moments of defianceChris Mason: Tory gloom deepens after double poll blowTwo by-elections, two Labour wins… in two minutes. VideoTwo by-elections, two Labour wins… in two minutesWeekly quiz: Who could join Sinéad in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?Methane mega-leak exposed in KazakhstanTrump must pay $354m. How could he do it?Is Russia about to win another victory in Ukraine?Elsewhere on the BBCHair-pulling, wrestling and kicking!Watch the moment a violent brawl unfolded in the Maldives ParliamentAttributioniPlayer’No one was treating me seriously’The woman who went for viral for claiming to be Madeleine McCann explains her motivesAttributionSoundsTime-travelling back to 1984 through the BBC archivesHits from Wham!, U2, Madonna, Lionel Richie and moreAttributioniPlayerThe Swedish furniture king’s billionaire lifestyleDeconstructing IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad and his eccentric way of livingAttributionSoundsMost Read1Ukraine troops pull out of key eastern town Avdiivka2Satellite images show construction on Egypt-Gaza border3Starmer paid nearly £100,000 in tax last year4Putin ‘must pay for Navalny’ and Harry reaches out5Six-time Olympic champion Hoy reveals cancer diagnosisAttributionSport6Two teenagers charged over Super Bowl parade shooting7Sarah Snook ‘unmissable’ in West End, critics say8Amy Schumer hits back at comments about her face9Tory gloom deepens after double poll blow10King’s cancer may bring family closer, says Harry

[ad_1] Ukraine’s top commander says he has acted to avoid encirclement by Russian forces in the town of Avdiivka.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaIsrael Gaza war: Satellite images show construction on Egypt’s borderPublished4 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, Maxar TechnologiesBy Alys Davies & Paul Adams, diplomatic correspondentBBC NewsSatellite images appear to show extensive construction work in progress along Egypt’s border with Gaza, which reports claim is being carried out in preparation for housing Palestinian refugees.Unnamed Egyptian sources reportedly said the work is being done in order to set up an isolated buffer zone containing a walled enclosure in Egypt’s North Sinai province in case Israel goes ahead with its planned ground offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city, Rafah.According to a report published by a human rights group, seven-metre-high walls are being constructed in the zone.Egypt has publicly denied making any such preparations.Defence Minister Yoav Gallant also said Israel “has no intention of evacuating Palestinian civilians to Egypt”.Since the start of the Gaza war following Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October, Egypt has consistently said it would not open its border to refugees.It has taken that stance partly because it does not want to appear complicit in the large-scale displacement of Palestinians, but also out of economic and security concerns.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears set on a major offensive in Rafah – where some 1.4 million people are sheltering – despite a chorus of international warnings.Israel claims Hamas forces are in the city and must be “eliminated”. It also believes Israeli hostages – of which 130 are still unaccounted for – are being held there.Ahead of the planned assault on Rafah, Israel is directing civilians to move to open ground north of the city.Mr Netanyahu has spoken vaguely of “areas that we’ve cleared north of Rafah”, but indications suggest planning is still at an early stage.Israel had earlier instructed Palestinians to head to Rafah while fighting went on in the north of the strip at the start of its offensive.”We will fight until complete victory and this includes a powerful action also in Rafah after we allow the civilian population to leave the battle zones,” Mr Netanyahu said on Thursday.The latest satellite imagery, released by Maxar Technologies, may suggest that Egypt has decided to take precautionary measures as a result of the impending offensive.In one image, dated 15 February, large areas of land close to the Rafah crossing into Gaza appear to have been cleared. The work appears to have been completed in the last few days, as can be seen when comparing the landscape with an earlier image of the same area from five days ago..flourish-container{position:relative;color:#404040;font-family:’Helmet’, ‘Freesans’, ‘Helvetica’, ‘Arial’, sans-serif;font-weight:400;line-height:1.4}.flourish-embed{position:relative} Your device may not support this visualisation Speaking to Saudi news network Al Arabiya Al Hadath TV on Thursday, the governor of Egypt’s North Sinai province, Mohammed Shousha, said the purpose of the activity in the area was “to conduct an inventory of the houses” destroyed during Egypt’s past campaign against Islamic State group in the area. Mr Shousha added that Egypt’s position is “not to allow the forced displacement of Gaza residents into Egypt”.But satellite imagery from 15 February also shows construction vehicles dotted along the road next to the cleared border area, with some of them appearing to be erecting a large wall. In the below close up, a vehicle can be seen next to wall panels which appear to be laid on the ground ready to be added to the wall.Image source, Maxar TechnologiesIn addition to the satellite images, photos and videos of the area captured and published by members of the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights also appear to show construction work taking place.The group said in a report earlier this week that the footage – which has not been verified by the BBC – shows an enclosure featuring seven-metre-high walls being constructed in the area.The report also quoted a source with knowledge of the matter saying that construction is being carried out with the aim of “receiving refugees from Gaza in the event of a mass exodus of residents of the Strip”.The Wall Street Journal confirmed the report with Egyptian officials and security analysts, stating that the enclosure being constructed is 8 sq miles (20.7 sq km) and could accommodate more than 100,000 people.Speaking to foreign reporters on Thursday, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant was emphatic about the matter: “The State of Israel has no intention of evacuating Palestinian civilians to Egypt.”We respect and value our peace agreement with Egypt, which is a cornerstone of stability in the region as well as an important partner.”Israel knows that it cannot afford to be seen to be driving Palestinians out of their land, but that does not mean it will prevent people from leaving if they want to. Israel would not stand in the way if Egypt was willing to take some 100,000 refugees (as some estimates of the capacity of the enclosure being built in Egypt’s Sinai suggest).Netanyahu vows to press ahead with Rafah offensiveUN warns of ‘slaughter’ if Israel launches ground assault on RafahIsrael rescues two hostages in Rafah amid deadly strikesUN officials are deeply apprehensive, fearing that a mass evacuation may be looming. “It looks like it’s heading that way,” one official told the BBC on condition of anonymity. Speaking to Reuters news agency at the Munich Security Conference, the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned that a spill-over of refugees from Rafah into Egypt would be “a disaster for the Palestinians… a disaster for Egypt and a disaster for the future of peace”.Expulsion into Egypt – which is how any evacuation across the border will feel – touches on the deepest Palestinian fears. Around 80% of the Gaza Strip’s population are descended from refugees who fled or were driven from their villages during Israel’s War of Independence.To leave Gaza, the last fragment of their ancestral home, would feel to many like a repeat of what Palestinians call the “Naqba”, or catastrophe of 1948.Even if a refugee camp just across the border is described as a temporary shelter, the sense of shock that would accompany their departure from Gaza is likely to be profound. And while Israel might want to portray this as a voluntary move – a response to an Egyptian invitation – Palestinians would struggle to see it as anything other than another forced expulsion, after more than four months of Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip. The health ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory reports that at least 28,775 people, mostly women and children, have been killed as a result of Israel’s offensive in Gaza.Israel took action after Hamas-led gunmen killed about 1,200 people and seized 253 hostages in a surprise attack on its territory on 7 October.Related TopicsMiddle EastIsrael-Gaza warIsraelEgyptPalestinian territoriesGazaMore on this storyNetanyahu vows to press ahead with Rafah offensivePublished1 day agoUN warns of ‘slaughter’ if Israel launches Rafah assaultPublished2 days agoBiden says Israel must protect vulnerable in RafahPublished3 days agoIsrael rescues two hostages in Rafah amid deadly strikesPublished4 days agoTop StoriesLive. ‘Putin is responsible’ – Biden speaks out after report of Navalny’s deathNavalny was often asked: ‘Do you fear for your life?’Published3 hours agoLive. Trump ordered to pay $354m in New York fraud caseFeaturesAlexei Navalny: What we know about reports of his deathArrested and poisoned: See Navalny’s moments of defiance. VideoArrested and poisoned: See Navalny’s moments of defianceIs Russia about to win another victory in Ukraine?John Curtice: By-elections leave Tories ‘with mountain to climb’ Two by-elections, two Labour wins… in two minutes. VideoTwo by-elections, two Labour wins… in two minutesWeekly quiz: Who could join Sinéad in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?Methane mega-leak exposed in KazakhstanLondon Fashion Week celebrates 40 years of posingZendaya channels cyborg chic at Dune premiere. VideoZendaya channels cyborg chic at Dune premiereElsewhere on the BBCHair-pulling, wrestling and kicking!Watch the moment a violent brawl unfolded in the Maldives ParliamentAttributioniPlayer’No one was treating me seriously’The woman who went for viral for claiming to be Madeleine McCann explains her motivesAttributionSoundsTime-travelling back to 1984 through the BBC archivesHits from Wham!, U2, Madonna, Lionel Richie and moreAttributioniPlayerThe Swedish furniture king’s billionaire lifestyleDeconstructing IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad and his eccentric way of livingAttributionSoundsMost Read1Satellite images show construction on Egypt-Gaza border2Six-time Olympic champion Hoy reveals cancer diagnosisAttributionSport3Starmer paid nearly £100,000 in tax last year4Sarah Snook ‘unmissable’ in West End, critics say5Two teenagers charged over Super Bowl parade shooting6Undertaker sorry for care home Valentine’s cards7Father jailed for life for toddler’s murder8King’s cancer may bring family closer, says Harry9Amy Schumer hits back at comments about her face10Tory gloom deepens after double poll blow

[ad_1] Speaking to Saudi news network Al Arabiya Al Hadath TV on Thursday, the governor of Egypt’s North Sinai province, Mohammed Shousha, said the purpose of the activity in the…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaTwo teenagers charged over shooting at Kansas City Super Bowl paradePublished3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fans embrace shortly after gunshots rang out after a Super Bowl victory rally in Kansas City, MissouriBy Mike WendlingBBC NewsTwo teenagers have been charged over a shooting at a Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City that left one person dead and 22 others injured.The two suspects, both aged under 18, are being held on gun and resisting arrest charges, a court statement said.Police earlier said the shooting was the result of an argument and was not connected to terrorism. A third person who was detained after the shooting has been released.A statement from the Jackson County Family Court on Friday said that additional charges were “expected in the future as the investigation by the Kansas City Police Department continues”.The names of the juvenile suspects have not been released. Juvenile court cases are kept private under Missouri law, and hearings are not open to the public.Kansas City Police have continued to appeal for information about the shooting, which occurred near the city’s Union Station just after a parade and rally for the Super Bowl champions. On Thursday, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said the injured victims ranged in age from eight to 47 years old and that at least half were under 16. The deceased victim was identified as Lisa Lopez-Galvan, 43, a local DJ. Ms Lopez-Galvan hosted Taste of Tejano, a Tex-Mex music show, on community radio station KKFI. Her son was shot in the leg but has been discharged from hospital. Two other family members were also injured in the shooting, according to the radio station.Ms Lopez-Galvan was hailed as a community leader who used her media profile to fundraise for Latino community events and organisations, toy drives for children with cancer and college scholarships.An online fundraiser in support of the DJ’s family raised more than $230,000 (£180,000) – including $100,000 from Taylor Swift.Further details have also emerged about the reaction of the crowd and the Kansas City Chiefs players, who were celebrating their second straight NFL championship. The parents of a 13-year-old who got separated from his father during chaos following the shooting praised a player who helped shelter their son.Zach Cotton got separated from his father inside Union Station and found himself behind the station, near where buses were waiting to pick up players after the victory rally. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Super Bowl Parade route in downtown Kansas CityChiefs’ running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and other members of the team sheltered the teenager before he was reunited with his family. Responding to a thank you note posted by Zach’s mother on Facebook, Mr Edwards-Helaire wrote: “Sorry the family and all of Chiefs Kingdom had to experience this. Just wanted to thank Zach for trusting me and knowing I’ll protect him.”Another teenager, Gabe Wallace, told the Kansas City Star that he and others were comforted by the Chiefs’ head coach in the panic after the shots rang out. “Andy Reid was trying to comfort me, which was nice,” Gabe said. “He was kind of hugging me, just like, ‘Are you OK, man? Are you OK? Just please breathe.’ He was being real nice and everything.”This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: The moment gunfire erupted in Kansas City shootingRelated TopicsMissouriUnited StatesMore on this storyA dispute led to gunfire in Kansas City, police sayPublished1 day agoOne dead and 21 injured in Super Bowl parade shootingPublished1 day agoTop StoriesLive. ‘Putin is responsible’ – Biden speaks out after report of Navalny’s deathNavalny was often asked: ‘Do you fear for your life?’Published2 hours agoLive. Trump ordered to pay $354m in New York fraud caseFeaturesAlexei Navalny: What we know about reports of his deathArrested and poisoned: See Navalny’s moments of defiance. VideoArrested and poisoned: See Navalny’s moments of defianceIs Russia about to win another victory in Ukraine?John Curtice: By-elections leave Tories ‘with mountain to climb’ Two by-elections, two Labour wins… in two minutes. VideoTwo by-elections, two Labour wins… in two minutesWeekly quiz: Who could join Sinéad in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?Methane mega-leak exposed in KazakhstanLondon Fashion Week celebrates 40 years of posingZendaya channels cyborg chic at Dune premiere. VideoZendaya channels cyborg chic at Dune premiereElsewhere on the BBCHair-pulling, wrestling and kicking!Watch the moment a violent brawl unfolded in the Maldives ParliamentAttributioniPlayer’No one was treating me seriously’The woman who went for viral for claiming to be Madeleine McCann explains her motivesAttributionSoundsTime-travelling back to 1984 through the BBC archivesHits from Wham!, U2, Madonna, Lionel Richie and moreAttributioniPlayerThe Swedish furniture king’s billionaire lifestyleDeconstructing IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad and his eccentric way of livingAttributionSoundsMost Read1Six-time Olympic champion Hoy reveals cancer diagnosisAttributionSport2Satellite images show construction on Egypt-Gaza border3Starmer paid nearly £100,000 in tax last year4Sarah Snook ‘unmissable’ in West End, critics say5Two teenagers charged over Super Bowl parade shooting6Father jailed for life for toddler’s murder7King’s cancer may bring family closer, says Harry8Tory gloom deepens after double poll blow9Undertaker sorry for care home Valentine’s cards10Navalny was often asked: ‘Do you fear for your life?’

[ad_1] One woman died and more than 20 others were injured when gunfire erupted at the Kansas City parade.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaAlexei Navalny’s life in ‘Polar Wolf’ remote Arctic penal colonyPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Alexey Navalny had been in jail since February 2021 and arrived at IK-3 in DecemberBy Oleg Boldyrev and Laura GozziBBC NewsAlexei Navalny’s penal colony is the strictest penal colony you can get. Only those accused of the very worst crimes are sent to IK-3.Nicknamed “Polar Wolf”, it is located in Yamalo-Nenets region, well above the Arctic Circle. Conditions, needless to say, are very harsh.It is known for a culture of collective punishment and the average winter temperature there is -20C. Inmates have described being punished for the infringements of others by being made to stand outside in the winter without coats. Those who fail to stand still face being doused with cold water.Snow covers the ground for months at a time – only to be replaced by muddy slush when temperatures rise above freezing, around May. In the summer, prisoners are forced to strip to their waists in swarms of mosquitoes. With summer come long days with no nights. It all takes a heavy physical toll. Navalny’s day-to-day life will have been a lonely one, since December in IK-3 and before that at the IK-6 facility in Melekhovo, east of Moscow.Since 2022, he had spent nearly 300 days in in solitary confinement and lately he was allowed one daily stroll in a nearby cell where the floor was covered in snow. All he could see outside his window was a tall fence, and no light. In winter in the Arctic Circle, it’s only ever dusk at best.With years of jail ahead of him, Navalny had to find ways of remaining relevant.He filed complaints about prison conditions that would allow him to appear in court and deliver statements on camera on a regular basis. He tried to create a trade union for prisoners to campaign for better seats in the jail’s sewing factory. He made a noise so he wouldn’t be forgotten. Navalny was often asked: Do you fear for your life?Alexei Navalny in his own words – dark humour during dark timesNavalny was known for his acerbic wit. He always tried to make light of his situation, no matter how hard the conditions were. Through social media posts, written and posted by his lawyers, he talked about the conditions he was held in – often with more humour than many thought possible. He described New Year’s Day in the punishment cell, saying: “It goes like any other day: wake-up is at 05:00, bedtime at 21:00. So for the first time since I was six years old, I just slept the entire New Year’s Eve. Overall I’m pleased. People pay money to celebrate the New Year in an unusual way, but I did it for free.”But his day-to-day life must have been truly testing. In January 2023, he wrote about being assigned a new cellmate with severe mental health problems. “There are many videos online about people who believe that they are possessed by demons and devils,” he said. His cellmate was “very similar” – emitting “a growling, guttural scream that periodically turns on and doesn’t turn off for hours. He yells for 14 hours during the day and three hours at night.”Image source, ReutersImage caption, A view of penal colony IK-3, where Alexey Navalny had been held since DecemberOn another occasion, he was made to share a cell with a person who had “serious problems” with hygiene.”If you live in a cell, and some person lives at arm’s length from you 24/7, and you are both one or two meters from the toilet 24/7, and the toilet is a hole in the floor, maintaining hygiene is of fundamental importance. And a prisoner who is problematic in this sense will instantly make your life unbearable.” Navalny was sure that neither of his cellmates arrived by accident. He believed they were just another way for the Russian prison system to make life hell for an inmate if they wanted to.At 47 Navalny wasn’t old, but being poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok and spending three weeks in a coma took its toll. Living a life of constant deprivation in jail only added to that. In December, he said his request to see a dentist had been denied for 18 months. He had also developed serious back problems, and recently had difficulties walking and standing. One of his legs was going numb, possibly indicating a herniated disk. Despite his smiles and relaxed air in court, with each appearance he became more gaunt. In 2023, more than 500 Russian doctors signed an open letter demanding to have him seen by a civilian doctor after he said he had been suffering from a cough and a fever and had to share a cell with an inmate with tuberculosis. Russian prisons have a long history of torture, both physical and psychological. Inmates are often abused by prisoners friendly to the administration, and rules that are impossible to follow add to the mental anguish.The federal prison system itself estimates there have been an annual 1,400-2,000 prison deaths over the last five years. The number one cause is invariably put down to cardiac problems. Lawyers treat this explanation with suspicion. “They can cover up anything as a cardiac arrest – even a suicide or a killing by other inmates or guards,” says lawyer Irina Birykova.In her experience, it’s nearly impossible to overcome the hurdles created by the prison system if authorities don’t want the cause of death to be independently verified.Navalny’s death has dealt an enormous blow to Russians who saw him as an emblem of resistance.It was clear he could no longer lead Russia’s opposition, but there was an underlying hope that one day the political situation would change and Navalny would be able to come back. If Vladimir Putin ever needed to negotiate his own freedom or safety, Navalny might have been part of the bargain. Most Russians now agree there is little hope now in protest. People will try to mark his death in their own way, laying flowers in locations where Navalny stood.Some brave souls will even come out on to the streets, and they will be punished. If shock following the Russian invasion of Ukraine failed to bring masses of people on to the streets, Navalny’s death won’t either. But privately, a lot of Russians are grieving. For them, this will just be another very dark day and a loss of hope. Related TopicsRussiaAlexei NavalnyMore on this storyWatch: BBC Russia Editor on news of Navalny’s deathPublished5 hours agoAlexei Navalny, Russia’s most vociferous Putin criticPublished6 hours agoPutin critic Navalny dies in Arctic Circle jail, says RussiaPublished2 hours agoTop StoriesLive. ‘Putin is responsible’ – Biden speaks out after report of Navalny’s deathNavalny was often asked: ‘Do you fear for your life?’Published1 hour agoLive. Trump ordered to pay more than $350m in New York fraud caseFeaturesAlexei Navalny: What we know about reports of his deathArrested and poisoned: See Navalny’s moments of defiance. 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[ad_1] Only those accused of the very worst crimes are sent to IK-3, the strictest penal colony imaginable.

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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaCould you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New YorkersThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Could you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New YorkersCloseJury selection is under way in Donald Trump’s New York City hush-money trial, with hundreds of people selected as potential jurors.They must answer a questionnaire to determine, among other things, if they can be impartial about the former president.The BBC asked some of those questions to Manhattan residents.SubsectionUS & CanadaPublished50 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore moreCould you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New Yorkers. Video, 00:02:16Could you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New YorkersSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished50 minutes ago2:16Up Next. A view from inside court for Trump’s blockbuster trial. Video, 00:01:15A view from inside court for Trump’s blockbuster trialSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished19 hours agoUp Next1:15Press, police and protesters: Outside Trump courthouse. Video, 00:01:12Press, police and protesters: Outside Trump courthouseSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished1 day ago1:12Trump’s ‘perp walk’ moment explained in 60 seconds. Video, 00:01:00Trump’s ‘perp walk’ moment explained in 60 secondsSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished31 March 20231:00Editor’s recommendationsCopenhagen stock exchange engulfed by huge fire. Video, 00:01:03Copenhagen stock exchange engulfed by huge fireSubsectionEuropePublished12 hours ago1:03Moment spire collapses at Copenhagen stock exchange. Video, 00:00:43Moment spire collapses at Copenhagen stock exchangeSubsectionEuropePublished11 hours ago0:43Dormice ladders built in the Forest of Dean. Video, 00:00:51Dormice ladders built in the Forest of DeanSubsectionGloucestershirePublished1 day ago0:51Liz Truss: The world was safer under Trump. Video, 00:00:35Liz Truss: The world was safer under TrumpSubsectionUK PoliticsPublished22 hours ago0:35Huge fires blaze along Miami highway. Video, 00:00:33Huge fires blaze along Miami highwaySubsectionUS & CanadaPublished12 hours ago0:33Watch: Georgia opposition leader punches MP during debate. Video, 00:00:34Watch: Georgia opposition leader punches MP during debateSubsectionEuropePublished21 hours ago0:34Wheelie bins fly and a caravan overturns in strong wind. Video, 00:00:24Wheelie bins fly and a caravan overturns in strong windSubsectionStoke & StaffordshirePublished1 day ago0:24Hannah Waddingham calls out demanding paparazzi. Video, 00:00:28Hannah Waddingham calls out demanding paparazziSubsectionEntertainment & ArtsPublished1 day ago0:28Endangered California condor chicks hatched in LA. Video, 00:01:28Endangered California condor chicks hatched in LASubsectionUS & CanadaPublished1 day ago1:28

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityUKEnglandN. IrelandScotlandAlbaWalesCymruIsle of ManGuernseyJerseyLocal NewsFirst product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealedPublished11 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Meghan pictured at a polo match in Florida last weekBy Sean CoughlanRoyal correspondentA first glimpse of the new business venture from the Duchess of Sussex has been teased on social media, with pictures of a jar of strawberry jam.In a bid to preserve a sense of mystery, the jam from the new American Riviera Orchard brand seemed to be spread among friends and influencers.Fashion designer Tracy Robbins posted a picture of the jam on Instagram.It was numbered “17 of 50”, suggesting the number of recipients of this first fruit of the new business.The arrival of Meghan’s new California-based lifestyle brand had been signalled on social media last month and this suggests that it will be selling food products.What do we know about Meghan’s new brand?Five things about Harry and Meghan’s brand revampWhy did Harry and Meghan leave the Royal Family?There seemed to be have been something of a re-launch for Meghan and husband Prince Harry’s brands and businesses this year, beginning with the overhaul of their regal-looking website under the sussex.com label.Their latest projects seem to be moving away from a previous focus on their time as working royals, such as their Netflix film Harry and Meghan and Prince Harry’s memoir Spare.The hint about the strawberry jam from Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard brand seems to fit with the couple’s latest Netflix plans.Meghan is going to launch a Netflix show which will “celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining, and friendship”.Prince Harry will be involved in another Netflix venture showing the inside track on the world of polo. That’s the equestrian sport, not the mints.Delfina Blaquier, married to Prince Harry’s polo-playing friend Nacho Figueras, also posted a picture of the new jam, with hers labelled “10 of 50”.The social media trail for American Riviera Orchard evokes a sense of the couple’s home in California – and this soft launch for the jam show pictures of the jars in a sunny basket of lemons.It’s not known how much items from the new lifestyle brand will cost. Although there are already plenty of other royals getting into jams. Visitors to the gift shops in royal palaces can get a Buckingham Palace Strawberry Preserve for £3.95 or Windsor Castle Fine Cut Seville Orange Marmalade, also for £3.95.On both sides of the Atlantic they seem to be conserving their finances.Related TopicsUK Royal FamilyMeghan, Duchess of SussexMore on this storyWhat we know about Meghan’s regal lifestyle brandPublished16 MarchMeghan launches surprise new lifestyle brandPublished14 MarchTop StoriesMPs back smoking ban for those born after 2009Published8 minutes agoMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished2 hours agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished7 hours agoFeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlinePlaying Coachella after cancer emotional, says DJHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Nursery boss ‘killed baby she strapped to beanbag’2Birmingham Airport flights disrupted by incident3Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge4First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed5MPs back smoking ban for those born after 20096Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference7Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames8Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline9Marten a ‘lioness’ who ‘loved her cubs’, court told10Sons of McCartney and Lennon release joint single

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSupreme Court hears 6 Jan case that may hit Trump trialPublished2 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS Capitol riotsImage source, Brent StirtonImage caption, Hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol after holding a “Stop the Steal” rally on 6 January, 2021By Nadine YousifBBC NewsThe US Supreme Court have begun hearing a case that could undo charges for those who stormed the Capitol in 2021. It focuses on whether a 2002 federal law created to prevent corporate misconduct could apply to individuals involved in the 6 January riots. More than 350 people have been charged in the incident under that law, which carries a 20-year prison penalty.Donald Trump faces the same charge in the pending federal case accusing him of election interference. The law makes it a crime to “corruptly” obstruct or impede an official proceeding. On Tuesday, Supreme Court Justices heard two hours of arguments over the law’s interpretation. However, it remained unclear how they would rule. A lawyer for a man who stormed the Capitol and was prosecuted under the law argued before the Justices that “a host of felony and misdemeanour” crimes already exist to prosecute his clients actions.The 2002 law passed in the wake of the Enron accounting scandal, Jeffrey Green said, was not one of them. US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar counterargued that rioters deliberately attempted “to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the election,” therefore obstructing an official proceeding. Both fielded sceptical questions from the Justices. At one point, Mr Green argued that there is no historical precedent in which the law was used to prosecute demonstrators.Justice Sonia Sotomayor replied: “We’ve never had a situation before where (there was an attempt) to stop a proceeding violently, so I am not sure what a lack of history proves.”On the other hand, Ms Prelogar fielded questions from Justice Neil Gorusch on whether the law could then be stretched to apply to a “sit-in that disrupts a trial” or “a heckler” at the State of the Union Address. “Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify for 20 years in federal prison?” he asked, appearing to reference an incident in which Jamaal Bowman, Democrat House representative, pressed a fire alarm in the Capitol.How the top court rules could have wide-ranging effects on the hundreds of people charged, convicted or sentenced under the law, as well as the prosecution of Mr Trump. Here is a breakdown of the key players and the law being argued: What is the 2002 federal law at the centre of the trial?The law is called the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. It was passed in response to the Enron scandal in the early 2000s, after it was exposed that those involved had engaged in massive fraud and shredding documents. It criminalizes the destruction of evidence – like records or documents. But it also penalises anyone who “otherwise obstructs, influences or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.” How has it been used in response to the 6 January riots?Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) has brought obstruction charges against those who participated in the storming of the Capitol. Federal prosecutors argue they did so to impede Congress’ certification of the presidential electoral vote count to cement Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election. Therefore, the latter portion of the law that deals with obstructing an “official proceeding” would apply, the DoJ says. Who is challenging the law’s use in this case, and why? The Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to the law’s application brought forward by a former Pennsylvania police officer.Joseph Fischer was charged under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with obstruction of a congressional proceeding on 6 January, as well as assaulting a police officer and disorderly conduct. His lawyers argue that prosecutors overreached with applying the Act, which they say deals explicitly with destroying or tampering with evidence integral to an investigation. Those who challenge the law’s application in 6 January cases also argue that a broad interpretation of the law would allow the prosecution of lobbyists or protestors who disrupt matters in Congress.How could the Supreme Court ruling impact Trump?The former president is charged under the very same law in a federal case accusing him of working to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Mr Biden.If Supreme Court justices rule that the law does not apply to the 6 January rioters, Mr Trump could seek dismissal of half the charges he faces in that case.It also could be seen as a political win for the former president, who is seeking re-election in November, as he repeatedly has accused prosecutors of overreach. A final ruling is not expected until June. Related TopicsUS Capitol riotsDonald TrumpMore on this storySupreme Court to hear appeal over Capitol riot chargePublished13 December 2023A very simple guide to Trump’s indictmentsPublished25 August 2023Supreme Court asked to rule on Trump’s immunityPublished12 December 2023Top StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished1 hour agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished5 hours agoNo liberty in addiction, says health secretary on smoking banPublished4 minutes agoFeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? 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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaNational Conservatism Conference: Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels eventPublished4 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Nigel Farage said the decision to shut the conference down was as an attempt to stifle free speechBy Nick Beake in Brussels and Laura GozziBBC NewsBrussels police have been ordered to shut down a conference attended by right-wing politicians across Europe, including Nigel Farage and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.Organisers say the National Conservatism Conference in the Belgian capital is continuing, but guests are no longer allowed to enter. Local authorities had raised concerns over public safety.A UK spokeswoman called reports of police action “extremely disturbing”. She said that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was a “strong supporter and advocator for free speech” and that he was “very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result”.Alexander De Croo, the Belgian prime minister, said that the shutting down of the conference was “unacceptable”.Referring to the fact that it was the local mayor, Emir Kir, who opposed the conference, Mr De Croo added that while municipal autonomy was a cornerstone of Belgium’s democracy it could “never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech”. “Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop,” Mr De Croo wrote on X.In a message to organisers, Mr Kir had said some of the attendees of Tuesday’s conference held anti-gay and anti-abortion views. “Among these personalities there are several particularly from the right-conservative, religious right and European extreme right,” his statement said.Mr Kir also wrote on X: “The far right is not welcome.”Nigel Farage, who took to the stage this morning, told the BBC the decision to close down the conference because there were homophobes in the audience was “cobblers”, and that he condemned the decision as an attempt to stifle free speech. “Thank God For Brexit”, he said.Organised by a think-tank called the Edmund Burke Foundation, the National Conservatism Conference is a global movement which espouses what it describes as traditional values, which it claims are being “undermined and overthrown”. It also opposes further European integration.The conference said it aimed to bring together “public figures, journalists, scholars and students” who understood the connection between conservatism and the idea of nationhood and national traditions. French far-right politician Eric Zemmour, arriving for the conference after police had blocked the entrance, told journalists that Mr Kir was “using the police as a private militia to prevent… Europeans from taking part freely”.Organisers said Mr Zemmour was not allowed into the venue and that his address would be postponed.Former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman and far-right French politician Eric Zemmour were listed as keynote speakers. The National Conservatism Conference reportedly started around 08:00 (06:00 GMT) on Tuesday and carried on for three hours until police showed up and asked the organisers to make attendees leave.Later, organisers wrote on X: “The police are not letting anyone in. People can leave, but they cannot return. Delegates have limited access to food and water, which are being prevented from delivery. Is this what city mayor Emir Kir is aiming for?”Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki were due to speak tomorrow. Earlier, the organisers said on X that they would challenge the order to shut the conference down. “The police entered the venue on our invitation, saw the proceedings and the press corps, and quickly withdrew. Is it possible they witnessed how peaceful the event is?,” they wrote on X.The Claridge event space – located near Brussels’s European Quarter – can host up to 850 people. Around 250 people were in attendance on Tuesday afternoon.Mohamed Nemri, the owner of Claridge, told the BBC he had decided to host the event because “we don’t reject any party…. even if we don’t have the same opinion. That’s normal”.”I am Muslim and people have different opinion and that’s it. We are living in a freedom country. I’d like to people to talk freely,” he added.It is the third venue that was supposed to hold the event, after the previous two fell through. Belgian media reported that one venue pulled out after pressure by a group called the “Antifascist coordination of Belgium”.Related TopicsBelgiumTop StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished43 minutes agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished5 hours agoLive. US expects to impose further sanctions on Iran ‘in the coming days’FeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed3Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference4Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline5Superdry boss hits back at ‘not cool’ criticism6Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames7MPs to vote on smoking ban for those born after 20098Stabbed TV presenter ‘feeling much better’9Sons of McCartney and Lennon release joint single10Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaNasa says part of International Space Station crashed into Florida homePublished40 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, NASAImage caption, The recovered object was part of a stanchion used to mount batteries to a cargo palletBy Max MatzaBBC NewsUS space agency Nasa confirmed that an object that crashed into a home in Florida earlier this month was part of the International Space Station (ISS). The metal object was jettisoned from the orbiting outpost in March 2021, Nasa said on Monday after analysing the sample at the Kennedy Space Center.The 1.6lb (0.7kg) metal object tore through two layers of ceiling after re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Homeowner Alejandro Otero said his son was nearly injured by the impact. Nasa said the object was part of some 5,800lbs of hardware that was dumped by the station after it had new lithium-ion batteries installed. “The hardware was expected to fully burn up during entry through Earth’s atmosphere on March 8, 2024. However, a piece of hardware survived and impacted a home in Naples, Florida,” the agency said.The debris was determined to be part of a stanchion used to mount batteries on a cargo pallet. The object, made from metal alloy Inconel, has dimensions of 4in by 1.6in (10.1cm by 4cm).Mr Otero told CBS affiliate Wink-TV that the device created a “tremendous sound” as it blasted into his home.”It almost hit my son. He was two rooms over and heard it all,” he said.”I was shaking. I was completely in disbelief. What are the chances of something landing on my house with such force to cause so much damage,” Mr Otero continued.”I’m super grateful that nobody got hurt.”According to Nasa, the ISS will “perform a detailed investigation” on how the debris survived burn-up.What’s the risk of being hit by falling space debris?Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s more space junkSpace junk has been a growing a problem. Earlier this month, sky watchers in California watched mysterious golden streaks moving through the night sky.US officials later determined that the light show was caused by burning debris from a Chinese rocket re-entering earth’s orbit.In February, a Chinese satellite known as “Object K” burned up as it re-entered the atmosphere over Hawaii.Last year, a barnacle-covered giant metal dome found on a Western Australian beach was identified as a component of an Indian rocket. There are plans to display it alongside chunks of Nasa’s Skylab, which crashed in Australia in 1979. This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Object thought to be a satellite burns up on re-entering Earth’s atmosphereRelated TopicsSpace debrisNasaFloridaUnited StatesMore on this storyIs it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s more space junkPublished3 AprilRobot dog trains to walk on Moon in Oregon trialsPublished3 days agoTop StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished50 minutes agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished4 hours agoLive. US expects to impose further sanctions on Iran ‘in the coming days’FeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed3Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference4Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline5Superdry boss hits back at ‘not cool’ criticism6Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames7MPs to vote on smoking ban for those born after 20098Stabbed TV presenter ‘feeling much better’9Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care10Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice forever

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaFormer Marine jailed for nine years for bombing abortion clinicPublished7 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS abortion debateImage source, CBSBy Max MatzaBBC NewsA former US Marine has been jailed for nine years for firebombing a California Planned Parenthood clinic and plotting other attacks to spark a “race war”.Chance Brannon, 24, pleaded guilty to the March 2022 attack on the healthcare clinic, which provides abortions in some of its locations.He also plotted to attack Jewish people and an LGBT pride event taking place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. At the time of his arrest, he was an active duty member of the US Marines. Prosecutors said Brannon was a neo-Nazi who frequently spoke of “cleansing” the US of “particular ethnic groups”. In November, Brannon pleaded guilty to conspiracy, destruction of property, possession of an explosive and intentionally damaging a reproductive health services facility.Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, said the attack “was designed to terrorise patients seeking reproductive healthcare and the people who provide it”.The explosion damaged the front entrance to the clinic in Costa Mesa, Orange County. No one was injured.However, Mehtab Syed, of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said Brannon’s “deep-rooted hatred and extremist views… could have killed innocent people”. Mr Syed added that Brannon plotted to rob Jewish residents in the Hollywood Hills, and had also discussed plans to attack the power grid. Further to this, in 2022, Mr Syed said Brannon, of San Juan Capistrano, placed calls to two US “adversaries” hoping to offer himself as a “mole” providing US intelligence.Two co-defendants, Tibet Ergul and Xavier Batten, have pleaded guilty to similar charges and will be sentenced next month.According to the National Abortion Federation, a group representing US abortion providers, there was a “sharp increase” in violence against clinics in 2022. Related TopicsAbortionUS abortion debateUnited StatesCaliforniaMore on this storyWhat is Planned Parenthood?Published25 September 2015Top StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished53 minutes agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished3 hours agoLive. Israel demands sanctions on Iranian missile projectFeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference3Superdry boss hits back at ‘not cool’ criticism4First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed5Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline6Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames7MPs to vote on smoking ban for those born after 20098Stabbed TV presenter ‘feeling much better’9William to return to duties after Kate diagnosis10Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care