Month: April 2025

A trade war that pits the world’s two largest economies against each other is now under way. Alongside the tariff battle is a heated battle of narratives and messages between the two countries.

Contributors:
Andy Mok – Senior Research Fellow, Center for China and Globalisation
Jude Russo – Managing Editor, The American Conservative
Isaac Stone Fish – CEO, Strategy Risks
Yun Sun – Director of China Program, Stimson Center

On our radar

On April 15, the civil war in Sudan hit the two-year mark. The Sudanese media landscape has been devastated. According to Reporters Without Borders, since the war began, nearly 450 journalists have fled the country. Meenakshi Ravi has more.

How Trump’s ’51st state’ talk galvanised Canadian voters

Donald Trump’s public musings about how Canada should become the United States’ 51st state, has Canadians rallying around their flag. The Listening Post’s Ryan Kohls discusses the Trump effect and the unprecedented impact it is having on Canadian nationalism and politics.

Featuring:
Rachel Gilmore – Host, Bubble Pop
Jonathan Kay – Editor, Quillette
David Moscrop – Author and Journalist

This charming seaside hamlet attracts thousands of staycationers annually with its well-preserved and one-of-a-kind Victorian landmarks and family-friendly beach.

If you are looking for classic coastal charm, there is no shortage of English seaside towns that will fit the bill. However, if you are looking for the best of the best, then there is one destination that should be at the top of your list.

This seaside town in the historic North Riding of Yorkshire is home to one of the most impressive stretches of the English coastline. Saltburn-by-the-Sea (commonly referred to as Saltburn) is well known for its distinct Victorian character.

Once a quiet fishing hamlet, Saltburn became a hub for smuggling activities in the 18th century. Luckily, the introduction of a railway and investment from Sir Henry Pease in the mid 1800s remarketed the town as a bathing resort.

READ MORE: England’s ‘best beach’ ranked by Brits is in little-known UK seaside town

According to local lore, Saltburn only came to be because of a prophetic vision of Sir Henry Pease. Sir Pease envisioned a nameless town rising from the clifftop, where a quiet glen swept into beautiful gardens. Saltburn stands as that vision realised.

Perched on a cliff overlooking the North Sea and a golden sand beach, Saltburn has become a beloved staycation destination in recent years. The town still maintains its Victorian allure, aided by the historic funicular railway that carries locals and tourists to and from the beach.

Constructed in 1884, the Saltburn Cliff Lift is the oldest cliff lift of its kind in the UK and an iconic feat of Victorian engineering. The cliff lift—or the 173 adjacent steps—will take you straight down to the pier, another iconic Victorian landmark of the area.

One of the best ways to enjoy Saltburn’s picturesque views is by taking the Cliff Lift from Marine Parade. Those more athletically inclined can reach the pier below by taking the 173-step staircase adjacent to the railway.

Another remnant of its Victorian past, the Saltburn pier extends out into the North Sea for 200 metres and first opened in 1869. Today, the pier is one of the last remaining pleasure piers on the North East coast of England and a great place to try and spot dolphins and seals.

While near the pier, head to the Seaview Restaurant for a bite of fish and chips. Not only will you be enjoying the best fare in town, but you’ll be helping support local fishermen as part of the Responsible Fishing Scheme to protect marine life.

After a visit to the pier, head to Saltburn beach which you may be surprised to learn is a hotspot for surfers. Saltburn beach is said to be one of the best surf destinations along this stretch of the North Sea coast. The beach’s north-facing orientation allows it to pick up more swell than neighbouring beaches.

The sand and shingle beach has a lifeguard service and is largely protected from wind by the Huntcliff headland. Another key characteristic is the Saltburn Miniature Railway which runs from the beach through a woodland valley to offer views of the town’s natural beauty.

The beach is enjoyable all through summer but you may want to plan your visit around the town’s international Food Festival. The event has drawn crowds of up to 20,000 people in its heyday and is set to take place next Sunday, July 27, 2025.

The 3-day Saltburn Folk Festival is another event to keep on your radar this summer. Boasting an incredible line-up of live music performances, dance workshops and musician sessions, the festival will run from August 8 to August 10, 2025.

A true hidden gem, this little Canary island is a world-renowned diving destination and a model of sustainability with impressive volcanic landscapes, lush forests and refreshing natural pools

If the rise of anti-tourist protests have you reconsidering your trip to Spain, remember that there are cities beyond Barcelona and Tenerife. It is certainly true that there is tension toward tourists in some areas of the European country – a response to housing shortages and increasing rental prices exacerbated by mass tourism.

However, that does not mean that British tourists are not welcome in the country. In fact, there are plenty of villages and islands eager to host foreign tourists. One such island is El Hierro in the Canaries.

Situated on the westernmost point of Spain, this small volcanic island was named by The Telegraph as Spain’s ‘least visited island’. While it is certainly a shame the island does not get the attention it deserves, its under-the-radar status has allowed it to cultivate an unparalleled biodiversity and become a model of sustainable practices.

READ MORE: Blow to Brits as Spanish city considers ‘tourist ban’ and U-turns on major project

Despite emerging 1.1 million years ago, El Hierro is considered the youngest of the Canary Islands. It also has a reputation for being ‘the island with soul’ because of its tranquility and slow pace, facilitated by its minimal infrastructure and impressive natural landscape.

While relatively unknown to many sunshine holidaymakers, El Hierro has a world-class reputation among diving enthusiasts. The island has over 40 dive points and divers come from all over the world to explore and photograph the unique underwater landscapes in the region.

The reason El Hierro is considered one of the best places in the world for scuba diving has to do with a variety of converging factors. For one, the water in the area is known to be particularly clear, allowing for visibility of up to 30 metres.

This transparency combined with the diversity of marinelife and underwater volcanic landscapes offers an enriching experience. Divers are sure to encounter shoals of Mediterranean parrotfish, manta rays, tuna, turtles and whale sharks.

Even if you are not yet a trained diver, there are diving schools on the island to help you get started and rent equipment. The Open Fotosub Internacional Isla de El Hierro – one of the most important underwater photography championships in the world – is also held on the island every year and a great opportunity to get a closer look at life underwater.

While there are hardly any beaches on El Hierro, travellers can also swim in one of the many natural pools. One of the most famous pools is Charco Azul – named ‘blue pond’ for its crystal-clear turquoise waters. The pool is dug out of the base of the volcanic cliff, making it a secluded location for a swim and a soak.

On the Valle de El Golfo coast travellers will also come across the La Maceta natural pools. This area is naturally sheltered from the marine currents making it a great spot for sunbathing and is even fitted with a picnic area.

The little village of El Tamaduste is also another must-visit destination on the island. Once an old sailor settlement, the village is home to crystalline, calm waters and is a great place to explore the region’s culinary offering.

The food of the island reflects its natural environment and is characterised by simple, fresh dishes – with Spanish influence, of course. On bimbachinche menus – traditional food houses on the island – travellers can expect to find fried, stewed and grilled fish dishes, handmade cheese, roast goat and wrinkled potatoes.

For the active-inclined, there are also plenty of walking trails through the island’s dense forests. One of the most famous trails is the Camino de Jinama, a 3-kilometre route that leads to one of the highest areas on the island for panoramic views. For the particularly bold, paragliding activities also take place on El Hierro.

This ancient seaside town is often likened to Greece for its Mediterranean-like views and Greek-influenced fare, but its Revival architecture and charming Old Town make it one-of-a-kind.

Travellers ready to expand their sunshine holiday horizons should look toward this seaside resort on the Black Sea. This Bulgarian town is considered a ‘mini Greece‘ for its ample sea views and ancient ties to the country – once a safe harbour for travellers over 2,500 years ago.

Today, Sozopol – the name deriving from the Greek for ‘City of Salvation’ – is a haven for sunseekers and adventurous travellers. Sozopol is one of Bulgaria’s most popular resorts, defined equally by expansive sand beaches, historic architecture and a celebrated seafaring tradition.

The ancient town is located on the south coast of Bulgaria, perched on a rocky, narrow peninsula overlooking the Black Sea. The Old Town stretches across one of Sozopol’s peninsulas with cobblestone streets and is lined with boutique shops, cafes and town houses in the classic Black Sea Revivalist style.

READ MORE: Europe’s most walkable city is 16C over Easter and just 2.5 hour flight from UK

Bulgarian Revival architecture – from the late 1780s to 1878 – emerged as a way for the country to reclaim its heritage by building something distinctively its own. In the last century of a 500-year Ottoman rule, wealthy Bulgarian merchants began to show their prosperity by building lavish mansions that showcased the woodworking and masonry skills of locals.

Visitors will notice that homes in this area are separated by very narrow cobbled streets – known as rimni. Built in an almost defensive style, the houses feature high ground floors and are made of a mixture of stone and wooden cladding.

Strolling through the Old Town, tourists will also come across fifth-century fortress walls on the south of the peninsula. Sozopol’s Architectural and Historic Complex has rooms that go deep into the cliffsides. They were created by the Sozopol Foundation – a consultative partner of UNESCO designed to protect and promote public engagement and the town’s cultural heritage.

To better understand the town’s unique cultural heritage, visitors should also make a stop at the Sozopol Archaeological Museum which offers regular guided tours. The cost for entry is under £2 and offers access to Greek marble friezes and ancient coins and antique artefacts.

That said, some of the town’s most impressive ruins and relics can be found in the medieval monastery on the nearby St. Ivan Island. The St. Cyril and Methodius church are thought to contain the knuckle bones of St. John the Baptist, a theory supported by carbon dating conducted by Oxford University researchers.

For all the historic ruins and landmarks in the Old Town, one of the best ways to understand the city’s heritage is by sampling the local cuisine. Greek influences are clear throughout many staple dishes including in the traditional pork kavarma and moussaka dishes.

The town’s fishing heritage also means that seafood is a huge element of the local cuisine. Dishes of red mullet, fried sprats, seabass and Bulgarian mussels are enjoyed throughout the sunny season alongside servings of sautéed potatoes and wine from the Targovishte province.

Of course, one of the main attractions of Sozopol is undoubtedly its proximity to the sea and its pristine beaches. The town’s two main beaches are Central beach and Harmani beach, but there are a few others just a short drive out of town as well.

Central beach is a sand and shingle beach just a few minutes from the Old Town. One of the most popular beaches in the area, Central has all the modern conveniences of sunbeds and parasols, though you’ll have to arrive quite early in the day to secure a spot in summer.

If your main aim is to make the most of the sunshine, the best time to visit is during the summer months – August is particularly known for optimal seaside weather. However, pushing your trip to late August or early September will give you the opportunity to enjoy the city’s oldest music festival – Apollonia.

EUROVISION star Clodagh Rodgers has died aged 78.

The Northern Irish singer finished fourth in the long-running competition in 1971 with Jack In The Box.

Her son Sam Sorbie confirmed the news in a Facebook post today, saying she died on Friday after a short illness.

In a heartfelt tribute he penned: “With a heavy heart, my dear beautiful mum Clodagh has sadly passed away after battling an illness for the last three years.

“She passed away peacefully yesterday surrounded by her family in Cobham.

“Mum has lived an incredible life, full of love and happiness.

“Her fantastic career performing, traveling the world, devoting her life to her two sons and being the rock of this family.

“Life will not be the same without Mum, but she will finally be at peace now with dad, nanny and pappa.”

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It’s almost the end of Holy Week, the annual Christian commemoration of the betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Faithful across the world are attending services to hear the Gospel, see reenactments of the key moments in the last seven days of his life and rejoice in the Good News — or at least have a big brunch with the family and let the kids look for eggs and chocolate bunnies.

Easter is supposed to be a happy time, but all I can think of is the people who persecuted Jesus. At a time when Christians are called upon to embrace Jesus’ message of love and charity, our president continues to revel in a cruelty that’s, well, biblical.

Even if you’re not a Christian, you’re probably familiar with the Holy Week sayings and characters that illustrate the worst of humanity.

A Judas, for instance, is as terrible a traitor as the apostle who turned Jesus over to the authorities. We accuse people of “washing their hands” when they’re in charge of a bad situation but refuse responsibility — a reference to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who ordered the execution of Jesus despite his initial reluctance, as described in the Gospels. Commentators sometimes compare dictators to Herod, the king who ordered the massacre of children in his quest to kill the infant Christ.

President Trump is embodying all of this and worse with his campaign against undocumented immigrants and anything remotely associated with them.

Trump is attempting to deny birthright citizenship, which is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment, to babies born to parents who aren’t citizens or lawful permanent residents. He is seeking to rescind legal status for hundreds of thousands of migrants and has ordered people in the country illegally to register with the federal government under the threat of fines and prosecution. He has also placed thousands of migrants on the Social Security Administration’s list of dead people so they will be financially choked out of the country.

And we’re only three months into his second term.

His underlings ape his ghoulish glee in making life miserable for undocumented immigrants.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has live-tweeted deportations while wearing makeup better suited for a Real Housewife and sporting a shiny Rolex watch. On Valentine’s Day, the official White House Instagram account said, “Roses are red/Violets are blue/Come here illegally/And we’ll deport you,” complete with a pink background, hearts and headshots of Trump and his border czar, Tom Homan. Earlier this month, the White House shared a video on X of handcuffed migrants being escorted by ICE agents, scored to “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye).”

This nastiness has reached a crescendo with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who crossed the border at age 16 to escape gang violence. An immigration judge denied his request for asylum in 2019 but allowed him to remain in the U.S. Since then, he has married, had a child and obtained a work permit.

Abrego Garcia is now imprisoned in El Salvador, booted out of the U.S. without a court hearing and called a “terrorist” and MS-13 member by Trump, even though he’s never been convicted of a crime. The Trump administration admits that deporting him was an “administrative error.”

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, right, speaks with Kilmar Abrego Garcia at a hotel Thursday in El Salvador’s capital.

(Press office of U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen / Associated Press)

But instead of doing everything they can to return him to the U.S., they’re doing everything possible not to — damn the law. And damn the human cost of leaving Abrego Garcia to languish in a prison sytem where inmates are crammed into cells and are increasingly being used as photo ops by Republican lawmakers.

Don’t take my word for it. Federal judges have described Trump’s actions as “illegal” or “shocking,” with one judge calling the administration’s insistence that it has no obligation to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. a “fallacy.”

There’s a reason Trump is using illegal immigration to push the boundaries of America law, if not outright spitting on them: A big chunk of the American population is cheering him on. His supporters think they’re not affected — that the only people being targeted are criminals. And even if immigrants without criminal records are mistreated — like Garcia and hundreds of others who didn’t have a chance to contest their deportations — they had it coming anyway, since they never should have come to this country.

If Trump’s advisors are his apostles in selling his anti-immigrant crusade, the Pontius Pilate in this Passion play is El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, adored by the American right as the ne plus ultra of modern-day Latin American strongmen. Unlike the Roman prelate, though, Bukele is more than happy to keep his hands filthy with an unjust persecution.

In an Oval Office chat this week, Trump said that only Bukele could return Abrego Garcia to the U.S., and the Salvadoran president vowed that wouldn’t happen. When Trump suggested that El Salvador should build more prisons to hold American citizens, Bukele agreed, adding that in order to “liberate” the American people, “you have to imprison some.”

On social media, Bukele mocked a recent meeting between Abrego Garcia and Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, cracking that Abrego Garcia had “miraculously risen” from “death camps” and was “now sipping margaritas … in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!”

Instead of shuddering at these words, too many Trump supporters — many of whom are professed Christians — simply shrug.

The persecution of Abrego Garcia and other deported migrants reminds me of another Christian — German theologian Martin Niemöller, who wrote the poem that begins, “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a socialist.”

Niemöller was decrying the complacency of his countrymen as the Nazis rose to power by first targeting the most despised groups in German society. The prose is as famous as it is cliched, but Niemöller’s message is the same one that we Christians take to heart during Holy Week.

Tyrants never want to stop. Only by standing with the least among us can good win — otherwise, evil rules.

So which is it, Americans?

Hart High’s baseball team had one of its best comeback victories on Thursday, rallying from an 8-2 deficit to defeat Castaic 9-8. The Frithsmith brothers, Ryder and Matix, each had doubles in the seventh inning when Hart pushed across the tying and winning run.

“It was really cool to go up there with one out and get on and for him to keep it going and drive in the winning run,” Matix said.

Matix, a sophomore, and Ryder, a senior, were also standout players for the football team. Now Matix is playing left field and Ryder center field.

“It’s a little different because he was mostly a defensive player,” Matix said. “It’s cool to be in the outfield together, communicate, work together. We’re still working as a team and having brother bondage.”

But what’s up with Ryder having a higher batting average than Matix?

“I don’t know,” Matix said. “He’s been hot lately. I’m picking it up.”

Hart (11-7, 6-1) has a two-game series next week with West Ranch (15-7, 7-1) for first place in the Foothill League.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email [email protected].

Ja Morant shrugged off a sprained right ankle to score 22 points and add nine assists and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 on Friday night to advance to the NBA playoffs.

Memphis secured the Western Conference’s eighth seed and will open against top-seeded Oklahoma City in a best-of-seven series beginning Sunday on the Thunder’s home court.

Morant was injured Tuesday night at Golden State in the Grizzlies’ play-in opener and was questionable to play Friday.

“The doctors gave me all the help I needed in the simplest terms,” said Morant, whose availability wasn’t certain until about 30 minutes before tip-off. “I wanted to be on the floor. I wanted to play this game and get the win.”

Jaren Jackson Jr led Memphis with 24 points, and Desmond Bane had 22.

Anthony Davis led Dallas with 40 points and nine rebounds. Klay Thompson had 18 points.

Davis limped off in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a right calf injury. He returned briefly but didn’t finish the game. He sat in the locker room after the game with a wrap and an ice bag on the leg. Davis said he tried to fight through the injury, knowing it was a win or go-home situation.

“We had our chances. Obviously, a tough loss,” Davis said.

Memphis saw a 25-point first-half lead melting away in the third quarter as the Mavericks crafted a 27-12 run spanning halftime. That brought the Mavericks’ deficit to single digits midway through the third.

The Grizzlies stretched the lead back to 96-80 heading into the final quarter and Dallas never threatened the rest of the way.

Dallas, which beat Sacramento 120-106 on Wednesday night to earn a spot against the Grizzlies, didn’t seem to have the same spark to start the game, never leading against Memphis.

Zach Edey had 15 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, and Scotty Pippen Jr scored 13 points.

Memphis lost all four games against Oklahoma City during the regular season, all by double digits. Jackson said the Grizzlies are looking at a different situation in the first round.

“A series is a series,” Jackson said. “You’ve got to stay level-headed. Whether you win a game or lose a game, it really doesn’t matter until it’s over.”

Like Memphis, the Mavericks limped into the end of the season, going 7-15 since March 1. Amid it all, they also lost Kyrie Irving to left knee surgery after dealing with a trade that brought Davis to Dallas and sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers.

“An incredible season, but the change (trading Doncic for AD) and injuries, some would say we shouldn’t even be there,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. “So give those guys in that locker room a lot of credit.”

Herro scores 30 points to lead Heat past Hawks

Through the first half of Miami’s NBA Play-In Tournament elimination game at Atlanta, Heat backup guard Davion Mitchell did not look a contender to finish as a star of the game.

Mitchell missed each of his four shots in the first half and had only one point. At the end of regulation, he still had only seven points.

Then something clicked for Mitchell. After the Heat entered overtime tied with Atlanta at 106, Mitchell made three of four shots – all 3-pointers – in the extra period to help lead Miami to a win on Friday night. Mitchell finished with 16 points and helped Miami advance to the playoffs, where it will face Cleveland, the No 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat became the first No 10 seed in either conference to make the playoffs since the current play-in format was launched in the 2020-21 season. Miami also became the first play-in team to advance with two road wins.

Tyler Herro added two 3s in overtime to lead Miami with 30 points.

Herro’s scoring lead was expected. Mitchell’s starring role was a surprise. He warmed up for the extra period by making a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.

“For him to struggle like that in the first half and have that kind of fourth quarter and overtime really speaks to his character,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said of Mitchell.

Mitchell said the support of Spoelstra and his teammates helped give him the confidence to keep shooting, especially in overtime.

“I feel I was forcing it in the first half, trying to do too much,” Mitchell said.

“I just kind of re-set in my mind … and let the game come to me. … I just believe in the work I’ve put in. Even if I’m missing shots, it’s OK.”

Mitchell averaged 7.9 points, but scored 15, making each of his two 3-pointers, in Miami’s at Chicago on Wednesday night in its first Play-In Tournament win.

Mitchell’s big game against the Hawks came in his return to his home state. Mitchell was born in Hinesville, Georgia, and began his college career at Auburn before transferring to Baylor. He helped Baylor win its first NCAA championship.

Mitchell began his NBA career in Sacramento and was acquired by Miami from Toronto in a five-team trade on February 6 that sent Jimmy Butler to Golden State.

These are the key events on day 1,150 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Here is where things stand on Saturday, April 19:

Fighting

• Russia launched eight missiles and 87 drones in an overnight attack on Ukraine on Saturday, causing damage in five regions across the country, the Ukrainian air force said. Air defence units shot down 33 Russian drones while another 36 were redirected by electronic warfare. Damage was recorded in five regions in the south, northeast and east.
• A Russian missile attack killed one person in Kharkiv, while a drone attack killed another in Sumy, with at least five children among dozens injured. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said 15 residential buildings, a business and an educational facility were damaged in the attack.
• The city of Zaporizhzhia was hit by a Russian drone during the night. Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov reported the attack on Telegram, saying a fire had broken out and emergency services were responding.
• Russia claimed it targeted Ukrainian drone production sites and warned of escalation if Germany sends Taurus long-range missiles, calling it a step towards direct involvement in the war.

Politics and diplomacy

• The US has put forward a proposal to end the war in Ukraine that includes lifting sanctions on Russia, Bloomberg reported, quoting unnamed European officials. The US plan “would effectively freeze” the conflict, with invaded Ukrainian territory remaining under Russian control, according to the report.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed NATO chief Mark Rutte on the plan, but warned Washington will “move on” if a ceasefire deal doesn’t appear viable within days.
• President Donald Trump later warned that the US would “take a pass” on mediating peace if Moscow or Kyiv continue to hinder progress towards ending the war.
• Russia and Ukraine will exchange 246 prisoners each on Saturday in a deal brokered by the UAE. The swap, the 13th mediated by Abu Dhabi, will add to a growing list of exchanges since 2022 and brings the total number of captives swapped to 3,233.
• A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old activist Daria Kozyreva to two years and eight months in prison for allegedly “discrediting” the army through antiwar graffiti and quoting 19th-century Ukrainian poetry. Amnesty International condemned the verdict as a “chilling” attack on peaceful dissent and called for Kozyreva’s immediate release.

This Easter weekend, theaters from Torrance to Temecula will be showing films like “A Minecraft Movie” and Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller “Sinners.” Alongside those movies, many will also be showing an eight-hour “binge fest” of the latest season of “The Chosen,” the popular streaming series that chronicles the life of Jesus.

Bingeing a series on the big screen is highly unusual, particularly as streaming businesses and movie theaters have become increasingly at odds over attracting audiences.

But the unconventional distribution strategy has proved to be a win — for the show’s creator, who sees theatrical presence as a marketing tool; and for theater owners, who are looking for new ways to draw in audiences and see a potential opportunity in popular streaming shows.

“Just think about if the first episode of ‘The White Lotus,’ or the last episode, was shown in theaters, how many people would come,” said Bob Bagby, president and chief executive of B&B Theaters, whose Red Oak 12 theater in Dallas hosted the world premiere for “The Chosen.” “We would certainly welcome other streamers.”

“The Chosen” was perhaps the ideal candidate for such an experiment.

Since its debut in 2017, “The Chosen” has developed a devoted fan base and spanned five seasons so far. It can be viewed for free online on “The Chosen” app, though the new season will be available to stream on Amazon Prime — after its theatrical run is expected to end April 24, but before it hits the app.

Since “The Chosen: Last Supper Part 1” arrived in theaters March 28, the three multi-episode installments of the current season have grossed more than $40 million at the U.S. box office, underscoring the growing niche for faith-based content.

“It’s a great marketing tool,” Jenkins said. “We make a little bit of money on it. Our actors get more money. It’s a way to help sustain this company that we’ve started.”

Though the most passionate fans are Christian, or strongly religious, about 30% to 40% of its audience are not churchgoers or traditional believers in Christianity, said Dallas Jenkins, show creator, director and producer.

“It is the greatest story ever told … but it’s always been on stained-glass windows, or statues,” he said. “There’s a formality to it, a rigidity to it. And what we keep hearing over and over from non-believers is, ‘Yeah, I’m not a Christian. I don’t go to church… But this is a great story, and I love seeing a Jesus that laughs with his friends at weddings and dances and tells jokes … and has a lot of the same human experiences that we do.’”

Jenkins first brought portions of “The Chosen” to the big screen in 2021, beginning with a Christmas special he intended as a one-night-only showing with specialty distributor Fathom Entertainment to surprise fans. That turned into a multi-week theatrical run that grossed $13.8 million.

Buoyed by the success of the special, “The Chosen” then debuted the beginning and the finale of its third season in theaters. By Season 4 the entire eight-episode narrative was available in theaters in multi-episode portions and eventually grossed $32 million.

“Last year we thought that we had reached a bit of a ceiling with how many people were interested in coming to the theater to watch a TV show,” Jenkins said. “Certainly, it was more than the industry would have ever thought or predicted.”

This season’s box-office total has already surpassed that amount.

In fact, Season 5 of “The Chosen” is now the biggest movie or project in the 21-year history of Fathom Entertainment, a joint venture of movie theater chains AMC, Regal Cinemas and Cinemark. Faith-based content, like “The Chosen,” has become one of the bigger categories for the distributor.

“To have this many people come out to a movie theater and pay for it and actually see it is pretty remarkable,” said Ray Nutt, chief executive of Fathom Entertainment.

He said he’s had discussions about other episodic content that could play in theaters, but that the content must be right for such a strategy.

“It can’t be just a movie that somebody decides to divide into parts and and get another bite at the apple, if you will,” Nutt said. “It’s got to be something that is episodic, that is going to bring people back.”

The excitement for the latest season of “The Chosen” was palpable at its world premiere last month at B&B Theaters Red Oak 12 in Dallas.

Fans began showing up days in advance, asking theater staff if they could help out with the event. When the day arrived, the premiere was attended by about 1,000 people, including cast, crew and fans. Additional spectators watched along the sidelines in hopes of glimpsing the series’ stars.

“We are seeing a whole new audience, a growing audience for these faith-based films,” said Bagby, who also serves as chairman of the Cinema United trade group. “Reaching an older audience is difficult these days, but this is a streaming show that these guests have watched and enjoyed, and now they get to come together with other believers and other friends and watch it together on the big screen.”

The series is financed by a religious nonprofit, which pays Jenkins’ company, 5&2 Studios, to oversee production of “The Chosen.” The company makes money from licensing fees and sells merchandise to fans.

Inspired by the ensemble focus of “The West Wing,” the humanity and authenticity of “Friday Night Lights” and the multiple perspectives of “The Wire,” Jenkins said he sees “The Chosen” as a historical drama, rather than explicitly faith-based.

“I’m not enamored with the term ‘faith-based’ because it tends to kind of exclude a large part of the audience,” he said. “It happens to be about a religious figure, of course … but I think we’re showing that anyone can appreciate this.”

Faith-based content is a niche, but also a burgeoning theatrical market. Since these stories typically rely on character-driven narratives and are not as cast-dependent, overall budgets tend to be lower, said David A. Gross, who writes a movie industry newsletter.

While not every film will bring in box-office numbers like Mel Gibson’s 2004 hit “The Passion of the Christ,” which grossed more than $610 million worldwide, movies in this sector have done well with audiences in the last few years, Gross said.

That includes 2023’s “Sound of Freedom” from distributor Angel Studios, which made more than $250 million worldwide at the box office. Last year, there were 17 domestic faith-based wide releases, which grossed a total of $237.4 million worldwide, Gross added.

“It’s the story and point-of-view that counts,” he wrote in an email. “When they resonate, these audiences show up.”

Amid the financial market fallout which followed Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement on April 2, the value of the US dollar has plunged.

But while United States stock markets have largely recovered since then, the greenback – which typically gains in value during periods of financial turbulence – has continued its downward trajectory.

This is because the severe and erratic nature of Trump’s international trade policies has raised the possibility of a US recession later this year, denting demand for America’s currency.

Trump’s tariff blitz is also forcing investors to confront the possibility that the dominance of the dollar might be fading, or even coming to an end.

“The world is facing a dollar confidence crisis as the repercussions of ‘Liberation Day’ continue to reverberate,” Deutsche Bank analysts wrote in a recent note to clients.

For close to a century, the US has been the world’s investment “safe haven”. Dozens of countries still maintain a peg to the greenback, meaning their currency prices are correlated.

But investors are now starting to worry about the long-term safety of the dollar, and the consequences could be dramatic.

What has happened to the dollar?

On April 2, the Trump administration unveiled punishing tariffs on imports from dozens of countries around the world, denting confidence in the world’s largest economy and causing a selloff of US financial assets.

More than $5 trillion was erased from the value of the benchmark S&P 500 index of shares in the three days after “Liberation Day”.

US Treasuries – long considered the archetypical safe investment – also saw selloffs, lowering their price and sending debt costs for the US government sharply higher.

Faced with a revolt in the financial markets, Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs, except for exports from China, on April 9. But investors remain wary about holding dollar-linked assets.

So far in April, the dollar has fallen by 3 percent relative to a basket of other currencies to reach its lowest level in three years, compounding an almost 10 percent slide since the start of 2025.

“Investors have been selling US assets, and the value of the dollar has fallen,” Karsten Junius, chief economist at Bank J Safra Sarasin told Al Jazeera.

“But the dollar hasn’t gone up as much [as US equity prices since April 9] because there’s been a loss of trust in US economic policymaking,” he added.

Why is the US dollar so important?

For the past 80 years, the US dollar has held the status of primary reserve currency – foreign currencies held in significant quantities by the world’s monetary authorities.

In large part, the dollar emerged as the commanding global currency due to the first and second world wars. As Europe and Japan descended into chaos, the US was making money.

Then, in 1971, when Richard Nixon de-linked gold from the value of the US dollar, the greenback’s role in supporting the global financial system grew. So did its demand.

Following the “Nixon shock”, most countries abandoned gold convertibility but didn’t adopt market-determined exchange rates. Instead, they pegged their currencies to the dollar.

Owing to its dominance in trade and finance, the dollar became the standard currency anchor. In the 1980s, for instance, many Gulf countries began pegging their currencies to the greenback.

Its influence didn’t stop there. While the US only accounts for one-quarter of global gross domestic product (GDP), 54 percent of world exports were denominated in dollars in 2023, according to the Atlantic Council.

Its dominance in finance is even greater. About 60 per cent of all bank deposits are denominated in dollars, while nearly 70 percent of international bonds are quoted in the US currency.

Meanwhile, 57 percent of the world’s foreign currency reserves – assets held by central banks around the world  – are held in dollars, according to the IMF.

But the dollar’s reserve status is largely supported by confidence in the US economy, its financial markets and its legal system.

Trump is changing that. “He doesn’t care about international norms,” said Junius, and “investors are beginning to realise they’re over-exposed to US assets.”

Indeed, foreigners own $19 trillion of US equities, $7 trillion of US Treasuries and $5 trillion of US corporate bonds, according to Apollo Asset Management. That’s roughly 30 percent of global GDP.

If even some of these investors start to trim their positions, the dollar’s value could come under sustained pressure.

What are the consequences of a lower-value dollar?

Many in the Trump team argue that the costs of the US dollar’s reserve status outweigh the benefits by making it overvalued – raising the cost of US exports.

Stephen Miran, chair of Trump’s Council of Economic Advisers, recently said that high dollar valuations place “undue burdens on our firms and workers, making their products and labour uncompetitive on the global stage”.

“The dollar’s overvaluation has been one factor contributing to the US’s loss of competitiveness over the years, and… tariffs are a reaction to this unpleasant reality,” he added.

At first blush, a lower dollar would make US goods cheaper to overseas buyers, supporting domestic manufacturing and helping to reduce the country’s trade deficits.

“It will also make imports more expensive, hurting consumers,” Colombia’s former finance minister Jose Antonio Ocampo told Al Jazeera. “The general view is that US inflation will increase.

“Elsewhere, the price of gold has also gone up,” Ocampo said. “It seems there’s a growing preference among central banks to hold gold instead of US Treasuries.”

Ocampo said that he also thinks that confidence in the dollar has taken a hit as a result of Trump’s tariff announcements and that its selloff has been offset by gains for other safe-haven currencies.

On April 11, the euro hit a three-year high above $1.14 and has gained more than 5 percent on the dollar since the start of the month.

Could another currency take the dollar’s place as world dominator?

“For now, I think the dollar will remain the dominant global currency,” said Ocampo.

But he also said that by weakening the US’s economic foundations, Trump is undermining global dollar dominance. For his part, Ocampo mentioned two currencies that stand to benefit.

“We’ve seen inflows into the Swiss franc recently. But the euro is the real alternative to the dollar,” he said.

The euro currently makes up 20 percent of international foreign exchange reserves – one-third of the dollar amount.

“If the EU can agree on closer fiscal union and, crucially, more integration across its financial markets, it will be the currency that could take on the mantle,” Ocampo said.

In the first 24 hours of the Eaton fire, Pasadena’s communications director helped activate four different kinds of alerts to keep its residents apprised of evacuation orders, while also hopping on several news programs and doing interviews to share updates in real time.

Further east, when Arcadia joined the sphere of concern as the fire erratically tore through the San Gabriel foothills, the city’s fire chief successfully advocated for unified commanders to issue more widespread evacuations than initially proposed.

Then, when a shift in winds sent the fire on a terrifying march west, La Cañada Flintridge officials stood ready to quickly alert and evacuate all residents, having activated its emergency operations center immediately after the fire broke out almost 12 hours earlier — even though the small city was initially miles from the blaze.

Meanwhile, many residents in Altadena — which would end up seeing the worst damage from the conflagration — felt left in the dark, seemingly lost in the chaos. Thousands found themselves waiting and waiting for alerts and evacuation updates, even as their neighborhoods came under siege.

It’s a major point of frustration and anger in Altadena and has reignited concerns about how the unincorporated town is governed, how resources are allocated and how key communications are issued — especially compared to the many independent cities that surround it.

The fire “brought to the forefront the issues of us being unincorporated; in some ways it did put us at a disadvantage,” said Darlene Greene, a member of Ataldena’s town council, which can pass along concerns or recommendations to Los Angeles County leaders, but holds no real governing power or spending authority.

“Incorporated cities, in my opinion, just have more resources. … I certainly think that hurt us,” Greene said. Other cities “have coordinated efforts for emergencies. For us, we do have it [through the county], but anytime there’s a middle person, there’s gaps. … It’s not top of mind.”

It’s unlikely that Altadena could have fared better — even with its own city government — against the major ember-cast fire driven by hurricane-force winds, which fire officials say was impossible to fight at times, much less predict. But some local officials and residents wonder if dedicated resources and leadership could have improved the emergency response, especially surrounding evacuation alerts.

Reporting by The Times revealed that west Altadena did not get official evacuation alerts until hours after flames threatened the area, an issue that is now the subject of multiple investigations and reviews. It was in those neighborhoods west of Lake Avenue where 17 of the Eaton fire’s 18 deaths occurred.

“It’s catastrophic failure,” said Seriina Covarrubias, a west Altadena resident who has been advocating for better public resources and government representation for the town since even before the fire. “It just tells me that there was no centralized communication, no one was calling the shots and it was a hot mess.”

Seriina Covarrubias stands outside her temporary residence recently.

(William Liang / For The Times)

County officials, who were coordinating the evacuation decisions and alerts the night of the fire, still haven’t provided any answers or explanation about what went wrong, and how they failed to systematically evacuate a large section of the community.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who serves as the de facto mayor for Altadena, was quick to criticize what she called the evacuation “epic fail” in west Altadena, but Barger said this specific shortcoming doesn’t necessarily point to a larger issue about Altadena’s resources or support. She and other county officials have declined to comment further on what happened with the evacuation alerts until the completion of an outside after-action review.

“I know my unincorporated cities like the back of my hand,” Barger said in an interview. “Altadena, it is a focus, but I’m not ignoring the rest of my district.”

She pointed to her large, qualified staff that she said supports her and her work across her unincorporated communities, of which there are at least 63, including Altadena.

“At the end of the day … I do stand tall with the representation this county has provided to Altadena,” Barger said.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger hugs Pablo Scarpellini, whose wife’s Spanish-immersion school burned down in the Eaton fire.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

While it’s hard to make direct comparisons to nearby cities — particularly because the Eaton fire hit Altadena harder than any other jurisdiction — it appears that residents in surrounding cities had more avenues to receive communication, more focused leadership and more resources dedicated to their communities.

In the early hours of the Eaton fire, from about 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. Jan. 8., there was a significant time gap when no formal evacuation alerts went out. But once the late warning was issued for west Altadena around 3:30 a.m. — well after flames were in the area — alerts for sections of several cities nearby followed, first La Cañada Flintridge, then Monrovia and Glendale. Those cities — which ended up with no damage from the fires — initiated their evacuations before the final late alert was issued for west Altadena at 5:42 a.m., according to records of archived alerts.

As the fire continued west and overwhelmed crews in west Altadena, Pasadena was able to dispatch its police officers to evacuate and escort residents out of the Linda Vista area, neighborhoods just across from west Altadena. In La Cañada Flintridge, officials sent out geographic-coded phone alerts from their emergency operations center, in addition to ones sent by the county. Even NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, which has its own fire department, had its own emergency management team staffed 24/7 during the fire, sending out alerts to employees when necessary.

“When you’re a full-service city, you have the ability to be a little more nimble and target some additional resources where there’s need,” Pasadena Police Chief Chad Augustin said. While he and other city officials operated in a unified command structure throughout the Eaton fire — with the county and other agencies — “we’re still ultimately responsible for our city.”

And that is one of the most useful aspects of a hyperlocal government during a crisis: it can provide a central spot for questions, information and updates, said Raphael Sonenshein, executive director of the Haynes Foundation, which supports research on governance and democracy in the L.A. region.

“They’re going to be taking your case and advocating,” Sonenshein said. “The real advantage of it all is you have local representatives. … They’re beating the drum about what’s happening in the community.”

Though L.A. County does have extensive resources far above that of any small city, there’s no avoiding the fact that Altadena is one small community in the most populous in the country, Sonenshein said.

“It’s kind of easy for the unincorporated territory to fall through the cracks,” Sonenshein said. “This is a case where government structure has impacts.”

And while there may be a renewed interest in getting Altadena better representation, proponents are clear that is far from the priority right now. Community leaders and members are entirely focused on recovery from the devastating fire, which destroyed more than 9,000 buildings across the region, the vast majority in Altadena. When one Pasadena leader in January brought up the idea of annexation — absorbing Altadena into Pasadena — it stirred contempt, both for its timing and the idea itself, which has been shot down repeatedly by Altadena’s fiercely independent-minded residents.

Sonenshein also pointed to the recent passage of Measure G, which over the next eight years will expand and potentially transform the county’s government by adding four new supervisors and a county executive. He said that could change how Altadenans feel connected and supported by the county government.

Seriina Covarrubias sits on the front steps of her temporary residence in Orange County recently.

(William Liang / For The Times)

But for Covarrubias, this is an issue that has needed to be addressed for years, and was made devastatingly clear when her neighbors were left — literally — in the dark as the fire threatened their street. She lives in the evacuation zone that got the latest order to leave, just before 6 a.m., about six hours after the fire was reported in the area.

Covarrubias, 42, along with her husband and their roommate, decided to leave on their own the evening of Jan. 7 before any evacuation alert. Many of her neighbors stayed behind, waiting to be told if they needed to leave.

“They got out just barely,” said Covarrubias, who is part of California Unincorporated, a group that works to improve how unincorporated areas are governed. “It was everything we were fighting against.”

She got involved with the movement after she said it took two years of organizing and hard work to get two speed bumps installed on her street — something she considered a no-brainer safety issue. She thinks the best solution is for Altadena to become its own city.

It’s exceptionally frustrating that no leader or agency has owned up to the evacuation failure — or provided an explanation — even now, more than three months after the fire, Covarrubias said.

“It makes you feel … like the county just takes the money from the homeowners’ taxes and runs,” Covarrubias said. “There’s not any leadership that has accountability right now.”

But cityhood may not be the only solution. In unincorporated Topanga, residents have formed the Topanga Coalition for Emergency Preparedness, a volunteer group that provides real-time emergency updates and disaster information for the Santa Monica mountain communities, and also coordinates preparation efforts focused on wildfire resilience.

“We do not believe the systems in place are good enough,” said James Grasso, the group’s president. “Even with my foot in the door, it’s very difficult to get communications.”

Grasso said the group formed after the Woolsey fire in 2018, when people really struggled to find relevant and accurate information about evacuations, road closures, firefighting and other needed resources. And while the county’s emergency procedures have since improved dramatically — he said there weren’t official evacuation zones in 2018 — he said getting key updates can still be confusing and inconsistent, particularly for the elderly or disabled. Their team works to compile and tailor relevant information during an emergency for its “perilous paradise” community, as it did during the Palisades fire, Grasso said.

“We have no city government, we have no town government. Our government, in effect, is our supervisor, and our supervisor has a lot of areas. … It’s a huge district,” Grasso said. “We fight for everything that we have … because we understand, clearly, we need it.”

While their group has a great relationship with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Grasso said there are still gaps in what their community needs — and the county has yet to fill them.

Interestingly, many of the people The Times interviewed in favor of more locally focused emergency operations for Altadena were clear that the on-the-ground firefighting — which operated as a mutual aid system during the Eaton fire — was not a driving factor in their position. Issues related to emergency planning, messaging and communications were the main concerns, which all fall under the purview of city officials.

“We’re all good partners, … but our focus is our own jurisdiction,” said Arcadia Fire Chief Chen Suen. He recalled that when the Eaton fire’s unified command recommended parts of northern Arcadia be evacuated or issued warnings, he reviewed the situation with other city officials and decided to evacuate a larger area than initially considered.

Flames from the wind-whipped Eaton fire burn homes on Vinedo Avenue on January 7.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

“It’s so much better to get people out during an event for safety reasons, than to — at the eleventh hour — try to get people out,” Suen said in an interview with The Times.

The string of Arcadia’s evacuation alerts went out on the county-run Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system, which targets cellphones in a certain geographical area, but Arcadia officials also initiated its own protocols: posting on social media, using the city’s opt-in alert system and activating its Police Department to go door-to-door, Suen said. The city had also warned residents in the first few hours of the fire that evacuations could soon become necessary.

West Altadena never received any evacuation warnings.

In Pasadena, officials also focused on the idea of redundancy: making sure there were several ways to reach residents with critical updates. The city uses its PLEAS alert system, a type of alert that will text or call residents who have signed up; a program called Nixle, which sends opt-in email or text information; and also appearances on local news and posts on its website and social media. And that is in addition to the county’s WEA notices and police officers on the streets, said Lisa Derderian, a city spokesperson.

A firefighter is silhouetted against the flames of a burning home on Glenrose Avenue in Altadena the morning of Jan. 8.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

“Ultimately, in a unified command, we’re collectively doing two things: You’re looking out for the best interest of your city, but also you’re collectively managing a large-scale incident — doing the most amount of good for everyone in need,” said Augustin, the Pasadena fire chief. He said when his city has additional resources available, emergency staff looked to do things like additional door-to-door notifications or added patrols, which focused on his city but also expanded into Altadena when needed: “We knew no borders.”

The county used its WEA system and Alert LA County messaging program as the “primary communication methods,” to issue urgent and timely evacuation alerts during the L.A. firestorm, according to a statement from the county’s Coordinated Joint Information Center. The CJIC provides public information during large-scale disasters through the county’s Office of Emergency Management.

County officials, however, also recommend people sign up for their more local emergency notification systems, most operated by cities. Sheriff’s deputies also worked to carry out evacuation orders on the ground, though many in west Altadena said they saw few to no first responders that night.

The CJIC declined to answer specific questions related to the Eaton fire until the after-action report is completed. But it did say it follows all state emergency management requirements and has eight different disaster management coordinators assigned to different regions to better tailor its response. In a statement, it called its emergency response a “collective effort more than that of any single organization, department, or jurisdiction.”

It is, however, important to note that the community of Kinneloa Mesa — just east of Altadena — is similarly unincorporated, but had no reported issues with its evacuation alerts. The foothill community sits not far from where the Eaton fire broke out, and its evacuations were swift, with several of the first fire crews arriving there.

And for some, the evacuation alert issue in west Altadena is just that: one glaring issue, not a reason to go through the complicated and often expensive process of incorporation, or deal with more red tape or regulation.

“Obviously something went wrong,” said Connor Cipolla, another member of the Altadena Town Council. And while he emphasized that he wants answers and fixes so it doesn’t happen again, he said he’s not convinced Altadena would get better services as a city, and pointed to California’s strong mutual aid system during fires.

An “Altadena strong” sign occupies the lawn of a home near the Altadena Golf Course recently.

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

“Altadenans love their autonomy,” said Cipolla, who remembers living in Pasadena and constantly getting parking tickets. “The quirkiness and the self-determination and not being overregulated — all those things are the free spirit of what it means to be an Altadenan.”

Milissa Marona, another Altadena Town Council member, said she partially agrees with Cipolla — and with Greene, who pointed out that Altadena may be getting a bad deal as it remains unincorporated.

Part of what makes Altadena unique is its lack of local, complicated government, she said, but she also realized — especially after the delayed evacuation alerts during the fire — that it can be a weak spot.

“It does somewhat leave a vulnerability there because we don’t have the city resources,” Marona said, “but I think the county did the best they could.”

Times staff writer Terry Castleman contributed to this report.

Robots ran alongside humans at the Yizhuang half marathon in Beijing on Saturday.

Twenty-one humanoid robots, designed by Chinese manufacturers, raced next to thousands of runners completing the 21km (13-mile) course.

The winner was Tiangong Ultra, which crossed the line in two hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds.

Some robots completed the race, while others struggled from the beginning. One robot fell at the starting line and lay flat for several minutes before getting up and taking off.

While robots have made appearances at marathons in China in the past, this is the first time they have raced alongside humans over the course of a half marathon.

Video edited by Jack Burgess and Anna Lamche

A MAJOR discount chain with 825 stores will shut another branch for good in a matter of weeks.

Poundland is preparing to close it’s branch in Clapham Junction train station, in a blow to commuters.

1

The store will close on May 2, giving shoppers just a few weeks to say their goodbye.

A closing down sign posted inside the shop read: “We’re closing
2nd May.. Don’t worry, we have another great store in the Southside Shopping Centre near Specsavers.”

The report was first published on the Battersea Beat Instagram page.

Upset shoppers have taken to social media to share their heartbreak with one commenting “Noooo”.

Another person simply said the the news made them sad.

It draws a line under a near three year stint in the busy London train station, having first opened back in 2022.

The Sun has contacted Poundland for comment.

And it’s not the only store Poudland intends to close next month.

Pepco, the group’s parent company, confirmed to The Sun earlier this month it would also close a branch in Liverpool on May 6.

The chain is preparing to shut its branch in the Belle Valle shopping centre.

A spokesperson said the decision came after it was served notice on the lease.

They added: “We know how disappointing this will be to customers and colleagues.  

“Whenever we have to close a store in these circumstances, we do all we can to look for other opportunities for colleagues and that work is now underway.”

Just last month, it was forced to close a branch in Belfast after the Connswater Shopping Centre was put into receivership.

In October, Maidenhead residents were also left heartbroken following the closure of a Poundland branch.

This was on top of closures in in Sutton Coldfield on October 5 and the closure of its Macclesfield site last August after it was unable to secure a new lease agreement.

WHAT IS GOING ON AT POUNDLAND

Last month, its parent company Pepco is said to have hired advisory firm Teneo to oversee the sale of the UK business.

It comes after Pepco said it was looking at “all strategic options” to separate Poundland from its brand.

The Polish group said it might turn its focus to its more profitable businesses in Europe.

Pepco previously warned that upcoming hikes to employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and national minimum wage would significantly add to its costs.

Late last year, it was revealed that profits at Poundland also tumbled by £641million in the year to September, with bosses again blaming slow sales amid a poor outlook thanks to measures set out by Reeves

A spokesperson also said the huge loss was “due to a non-cash impairment at Poundland that relates to the acquisition of the UK chain in 2016”.

This means the value of the business has decreased because of an expectation that future cash flows will fall.

More recently, Poundland also saw revenue fall by 9.3% for the three months to December.

April 18 (UPI) — Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi said Friday he had discussed possible collaboration on technology and innovation with Elon Musk and his companies.

The business discussion with Musk comes as Modi seeks relief from U.S. tariffs.

“Spoke to Elon Musk and talked about various issues, including the topics we covered during our meeting in Washington, D.C. earlier this year. We discussed the immense potential for collaboration in the areas of technology and innovation,” Modi said on X.

Modi added that India “remains committed to advancing our partnerships with the US in these domains.”

Musk’s business interests are coinciding with negotations between India and the United States on trade and tariff issues.

The Musk Modi talks came ahead of Vice President JD Vance’s trip to India.

In March, Starlink signed deals with Indian big telecom companies for satellite internet service. Indian government approval is pending on that arrangement.

Those contracts are with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

Musk’s X is suing India as Musk attempts to establish Tesla and Starlink in the Indian market.

After meeting with Modi in Washington in February Tesla has begun hiring in India even though Musk had concerns about Indian tariffs.

Those were cut last March but on condition that to get those breaks companies would have to start local factories with a minimum investment of $500 million.

India’s telecoms minister maintains Starlink has not yet complied with security requirements.

Musk’s meetings with Modi at a time when Musk is close to President Donald Trump and still active in the administration could give the tech billionaire more sway to smooth the way for his companies to enter India’s vast market.

Former Croatia international Nikola Pokrivac has died in a car accident in his home country, the Croatian Football Federation has confirmed.

The 39-year-old midfielder played for Dinamo Zagreb, AS Monaco and RB Salzburg over his career and won 15 international caps from 2008 to 2010.

Pokrivac was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2015 which forced him to retire from professional football.

But he returned to amateur football in 2021 and joined lower league side NK Vojnic last summer.

Local media said he was in a vehicle with three team-mates from NK Vojnic when they were involved in a four-vehicle collision in Karlovac in central Croatia on Friday evening.

It has been reported a 42-year-old person in another car was also killed, while the other occupants of Pokrivac’s car were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“Nikola was a great football player, who lived football until his last moment in this world, and who showed great courage in life by overcoming a terrible disease,” said Croatian Football Federation president Marijan Kustic.

“This is a great loss for our football community, and especially painful for the family.”

Pokrivac played at Euro 2008, where Croatia reached the quarter-finals, and faced England twice in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

“It is impossible to find words of comfort in such a shocking and unimaginably sad moment when we have lost a young life,” added Kustic.

“I can only express my deepest condolences to Nikola’s family and loved ones for this irreparable loss, and the HNS [the national football association] and the Croatian football family will be with them in these most difficult moments.”

It’s hard to believe there was once life before YouTube. As the global video sharing platform celebrates its 20th birthday, the Mirror takes a look back at 20 of the most popular clips to cement their place in British culture

Today it’s the largest video sharing platform in the world with 2.53bn active monthly users – but before 2005 there was nothing quite like it on earth.

When YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim uploaded a 19-second video called Me at the Zoo on April 23 a new era of entertainment was born – fast forward to today and 3.7m videos are uploaded every single day.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of that very first video being transferred to YouTube, we take a look back at 20 of the most memorable and iconic YouTube videos that have become a huge part of British culture.

READ MORE: ‘I worked as a secret agent – the grim reality is nothing like a James Bond movie’

‘Charlie bit me’

Charlie bit my finger – again

This 56-second-long video which was uploaded on YouTube in May 2007 features brothers Harry Davies-Carr (3) and Charlie Davies-Carr (1) from Marlow in Buckinghamshire. The cute clip shows Charlie nibbling on Harry’s finger and the pair laughing. The video was one of the first major viral videos on YouTube and has had more than 887m views – leading to Charlie Bit My Finger T-shirts, mugs and limited edition calendars pocketing the family around £1m.

Ed Sheeran’s rise to fame

Ed Sheeran | “You Need Me, I Dont Need You”

YouTube played a significant part in Ed Sheeran’s rise to fame after he performed his second single You Need Me, I don’t Need You live for the SBTV YouTube channel. It’s one of his most well-known early music videos in which he made an entire song, backing track included, in just five minutes using a guitar and loop pedal.. This version included lyrics from Sheeran’s cousin—rapper Alonestar (Jethro Sheeran)—and reggae group LaidBlak and introduced him to a whole new audience. It’s been viewed more than 61m times and the singer from Halifax, West Yorkshire is now estimated to be worth around £300m.

Susan Boyle’s audition

Susan Boyle’s 2009 YouTube video featuring her audition on Britain’s Got Talent quickly went viral and the Scottish songstress became an international phenomenon within days. It’s one of the most viewed clips on the platform and has been watched over 29m times. Watching it you can see how the judges and audience were truly shocked when they heard her beautiful rendition of the Les Miserables song leading to millions of record sales. She used some of the money to purchase her childhood home in Blackburn, West Lothian despite reportedly being worth around £30m.

‘Something I want to say…’

It was December 2013 when British olympian swimmer Tom Daley took to YouTube to announce he was happily dating a man, putting an end to rumours about his sexuality. He’s now married to Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black who he has two children with: Robbie Ray (7) and Phoenix Rose (2). It was a significant moment for both the channel and the swimmer. The five times Olympic medal winner who is now thought to be worth £3.1m came out at a time when LGBTQ+ athletes were few and far between and the video has been watched more than 13m times.

Zoe makes a name for herself

English media personality, entrepreneur and author Zoella (Zoe Suggs) began her career as a YouTuber in 2009 by showing off her fashion and beauty hauls and landing 11 million views. Born in Lacock, Wiltshire she’s made £410,000 from YouTube and her vlogging success led her to launch a range of beauty products under the brand name Zoella Beauty. She’s so well known that she’s even been immortalised as a wax figure at Madame Tussauds and is now worth a reported £4.7m and has since accumulated over 10m subscribers.

Stormzy’s Shut Up

English rapper Stormzy released his song Shut Up independently for digital download on YouTube in the UK in May 2015. Initially released as a freestyle, it gained millions of views and was a key factor in the Croydon-born rapper’s rise to fame. The video, filmed in a South London car park, helped catapult him into the mainstream and has been viewed more than 137m times. Now one of the most successful British rappers with four Brit awards, Stormzy is said to be worth £26m.

The Pengest Munch

The Pengest Munch

Elijah Quashie from Enfield, London started his YouTube channel The Pengest Munch in August 2015, but up until December 2016, his videos critiquing chicken shops around London only gained around 700 views each. But that all changed when this one went viral on 9 December – it’s been watched 8.3m times. It led to other opportunities and his book The Pengest Munch: In Search of the Nation’s 50 Favourite Chicken Establishments was released in October 2017. He later went on to star in The Peng Life on Channel 4 and his YouTube channel, social media presence and business ventures have made him a significant income stream.

Snap election shock

Who can forget Brenda from Bristol speaking on behalf of Britain when she exclaimed ‘you’re joking, not another one’ after she was told about the upcoming snap General Election announced by Theresa May in 2017? It was watched by more than 1.8m people and led to countless memes and mashups. Her response was also captured by BBC reporter Jon Kay who went back to visit the 75-year-old pensioner who couldn’t believe the attention her comments had attracted. Sadly, she died a couple of years ago.

Big Shaq

This comedy hip hop novelty song by British comedian Michael Dapaah, in character as the fictional UK drill rapper Big Shaq, went viral gaining 438m views on YouTube and subsequently peaking at number three in the singles chart. Born in South London in 1991, Michael was also the star and creator of YouTube mockumentary series SWIL (Somewhere in London) which follows four characters including Big Shaq on their journeys to success. The two seasons have amassed over 12 million views and Michael is said to primarily make his money from his YouTube channel with his net worth estimated to be £755,000.

Garlic bread launches into space

This video of Barry from My Virgin Kitchen launching garlic bread into space with the help of Random Aerospace to see if it tastes any different when it comes back down amassed 62m views on YouTube. Not only that, but viewers found creator Tom Scott’s idea so entertaining that more than 97,000 people have commented on it! And in case you’re wondering, garlic bread does not taste better when it’s been to space and comes back down to earth – cold! Tom from Mansfield in Notts has 6m subscribers and is worth around £2m.

‘Fenton!’

Fenton in Richmond Park

It caused such a stir that you’d think it was a video of Jesus Christ in Richmond Park, London but it’s actually a clip of a man chasing a dog, chasing deer. When the video was first uploaded on November 13, 2011, there was debate over the dog’s name – was it Renton, Benton or Fenton? It was indeed Fenton, a black labrador, and his escapades have been watched 27m times not to mention the myriad of memes, mashups and merchandise.

Charity single success

On 14 December 2018, Mark and Roxanne Hoyle released their charity single, a parody cover of Starship’s 1985 single “We Built This City” where the pair sang the amended lyrics of “We Built This City on Sausage Rolls”. Proceeds from the charity single went to The Trussell Trust and were reported to be £305,000 and it has been viewed 6.7m times on YouTube. Thanks to its airing on YouTube, the song even debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart ahead of Ariana Grande. YouTuber and music Mark Ian Hoyle and his wife Roxanne live in Nottingham and are thought to be worth more than £1.2m.

Showstopping moment

The popularity of Dave (feat. Alex) – Thiago Silva stemmed from a viral moment at Glastonbury Festival 2019 where Dave invited a fan, Alex, to rap AJ Tracey’s verse on stage. Alex seemed to know the lyrics perfectly and the spontaneous yet showstopping interaction became a viral sensation gaining more than 44m viewers. Alex from Glasto certainly enjoyed his five minutes of fame and was later invited to Wireless festival where he had to walk around with a bodyguard. Alex made a bit of money after going viral, saying: “It was good enough. I set myself up to the point where I didn’t have to work throughout college. It was comfortable enough,” he said.

Joe Wicks as The Body Coach

Part of Joe Wicks’ PE with Joe initiative, this video was a huge hit in March 2020 as it got kids and families moving during the Covid lockdown. On the first day alone 900,000 families tuned in which broke the record for the largest streamed workout on YouTube, And it didn’t end there – millions switched on every day after that and it has had more than 5.5m views. Although the fitness coach already had a large following, his pandemic workout videos boosted his fame and helped him reach his net worth which is estimated to be around £55m.

‘You have no authority’

A video of a parish council meeting in Handworth, Cheshire descending into chaos became an internet sensation during lockdown. Attendees insulted the moderator Jackie Weaver which resulted in her ejecting some of them from the Zoom call in hilarious scenes viewed more than 5.3m times. Not only that, Jackie was also the hottest topic on Twitter for a while, opening the Brit Awards in 2021 and Andrew Lloyd Webber even wrote a song about her called “An Ode to Jackie Weaver”. Thanks to the video footage going viral she says she can now earn up to £5,000 for half a day’s work.

Gran’s takeaways reviewed

Marion Love, a grandma who sells takeaway meals from her home in Farnworth, Bolton received messages from across the world after a video posted by Rate My Takeaway went viral on YouTube accumulating more than 3.9m views. The Rate My Takeaway series is hosted by Danny Malin who drives around ordering takeaways. During lockdown he would set up his own table and chairs to eat the meals outside food outlets and his channel now has more than 730,000 subscribers.

Mayor Election prank

What happens when a YouTuber runs for London Mayor? When Niko Omilana, a 23-year-old YouTube prankster went up against Sadiq Khan, social media went wild. He is known for posting prank videos on YouTube and ran as an independent candidate in the 2021 London mayoral election and the 2024 UK general election but was unsuccessful both times. Despite his political failings it hasn’t done his reputation any harm – the influencer from Staffordshire now has 7.79m YouTube subscribers, the video got 18 million views and he’s worth a staggering £1m.

Storm Eunice struggle

Planes struggle to land at Heathrow

With more than 7.7m views, this live YouTube stream of planes trying to land at Heathrow during Storm Eunice in February 2022 became an unexpected online hit. Aviation enthusiast Jerry Dyer has been streaming aircraft’s attempts to land at the London airport in winds of up to 70mph on his Big Jet TV channel. His lively commentary and footage has been attracting more than 200,000 live viewers at times. Storm Eunice made Jerry a household name and the plane enthusiast now gets to devote his life full-time to Big Jet TV.

Arsenal Fan TV

Arsenal Fan TV (AFTV) is the largest football fan network in the world run by Robbie Lyle and his cameraman Tao, with 1.72m subscribers on YouTube. Created in 2012, it’s a platform for Arsenal fans to share their opinions and discuss the club’s performance, featuring fan interviews, previews and reviews of players. It also features interviews with players such as Ian Wright and Thierry Henry and makes around £1.8m a year.

Dozens of defendants found guilty of “conspiracy against state security” and given sentences of 13 to 66 years.

Dozens of opposition figures in Tunisia have been handed lengthy prison terms on national security charges, according to state media.

A number of the North African country’s most senior opposition politicians were among 40 people sentenced on Saturday, including a former justice minister and diplomats. Critics insist the charges are trumped up and say they are symbolic of President Kais Saied’s authoritarian rule.

The TAP state news agency, quoting an unnamed judicial official, reported that the sentences ranged from 13 to 66 years.

An official from the anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office was quoted by Jawhara FM as saying the defendants were found guilty of “conspiracy against state security”, and “belonging to a terrorist group”, including liaising with “foreign powers” to undermine Saied’s rule.

The precise details of the trial remain cloudy, with the exact number of those on trial and the specific charges they face unclear.

It was not immediately clear either on Saturday whether all of the estimated 40 defendants in the case, which has become known as the “conspiracy case” and been running for two years or so, were found guilty and given prison terms.

About 20, many of whom have fled Tunisia, were sentenced in absentia, including the French intellectual, Bernard-Henri Levy, who is accused of being a conduit between defendants and foreign parties.

“President Saied has weaponised Tunisia’s judicial system to go after political opponents and dissidents, throwing people in arbitrary detention on flimsy evidence and pursuing them with abusive prosecutions,” Bassam Khawaja, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch, told Al Jazeera earlier this month.

On Friday evening, defence lawyers denounced the trial after the judge finished reading the accusations and began deliberation without hearing from either the prosecution or the defence.

“In my entire life, I have never witnessed a trial like this. It’s a farce, the rulings are ready, and what is happening is scandalous and shameful,” said lawyer Ahmed Souab.

Authorities have accused the defendants, who also include the former head of intelligence, Kamel Guizani, as well as media figures, of attempting to destabilise the country and overthrow Saied.

A number of the defendants – including Issam Chebbi, Ghazi Chaouachi and Jawhar Ben Mubarak – have been in custody since being detained in 2023. Chebbi is a member of the opposition National Salvation Front coalition.

“The authorities want to criminalise the opposition,” Chebbi said on Friday.

Saied rejects accusations that he is a dictator. He said in 2023 that the accused politicians were “traitors and terrorists” and that any judge who would acquit them would be an accomplice.

Saied consolidated his power in 2021 by dissolving the parliament and sacking the then-prime minister.

The opposition leaders involved in the case accused him of staging a “coup”.

They say the charges against them were fabricated to stifle the opposition and establish a one-man, repressive rule.

Some of Tunisia’s most prominent opposition leaders are already in prison.

Rached Ghannouchi, the head of Ennahdha, was arrested in April 2023 and sentenced to one year in prison on charges of incitement.

Earlier this year, he was handed a further 22-year sentence on charges that included plotting against state security. He was also sentenced to three years for accusations that his party received foreign contributions.

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

BASEBALL

City Section

Bravo 17, Jordan 0

Fremont 8, Sotomayor 7

King/Drew 3, Marquez 2

Mendez 4, Gardena 3

Southern Section

AAE 10, ACE 5

Adelanto 7, Granite Hills 1

Aliso Niguel 9, Capistrano Valley 2

Anaheim Canyon 6, Yorba Linda 5

Arcadia 9, Burbank 1

Arroyo 6, Mountain View 3

Baldwin Park 1, Garey 0

Bell Gardens 10, San Gabriel 0

Carter 4, Eisenhower 3

Century 5, Anaheim 2

Cerritos 2, Ocean View 1

Chino Hills 5, Etiwanda 4

CIMSA 22, Lucerne Valley 2

Corona del Mar 5, Marina 2

Cornerstone Christian 14, NSLA 0

Crescenta Valley 3, Burbank Burroughs 2

Cypress 9, Santa Ana Foothill 1

Diamond Bar 4, Duarte 2

Diamond Ranch 1, Chaffey 0

El Segundo 8, North Torrance 2

Elsinore 11, San Jacinto 0

Gahr 2, La Mirada 0

Garden Grove 9, Godinez 0

Grand Terrace 7, Bloomington 2

Highland 13, Antelope Valley 3

Huntington Beach 7, Los Alamitos 2

Indian Springs 1, Entrepreneur 0

Jurupa Hills 10, San Gorgonio 1

Katella 2, Buena Park 0

La Habra 5, Garden Grove Pacifica 1

La Palma Kennedy 5, Segerstrom 2

La Quinta 11, Shadow Hills 6

Loara 15, Western 0

Loma Linda Academy 15, Weaver 4

Long Beach Cabrillo 4, St. Pius X-St. Matthias 3

Magnolia 18, Santa Ana Valley 5

Mira Costa 2, Palos Verdes 0

Montebello 3, Schurr 0

Muir 11, Glendale 1

Newport Harbor 6, Fountain Valley 4

Norte Vista 2, Ramona 1

Northwood 2, Laguna Beach 1

Ontario 6, Montclair 2

Pasadena 10, Hoover 0

Pasadena Marshall 5, Rosemead 0

Peninsula 9, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 0

Portola 2, Irvine 1

Public Safety Academy 7, Mesa Grande Academy 6

Quartz Hill 17, Eastside 5

Rancho Cucamonga 5, Los Osos 2

Redondo Union 7, West Torrance 6

Rialto 4, Colton 0

Rim of the World 12, Fontana 11

Rio Mesa 6, Santa Paula 4

Rolling Hills Prep 14, Lennox Academy 0

Saddleback 9, Garden Grove Santiago 2

San Clemente 5, Beckman 1

San Dimas 8, Alta Loma 2

San Jacinto Leadership 13, Desert Christian Academy 2

San Jacinto Valley Academy 5, Santa Rosa Academy 4

Santa Ynez 8, Carpinteria 3

Sonora 8, Long Beach Wilson 2

South El Monte 6, Gabrielino 1

South Hills 4, Los Altos 0

Summit 6, Kaiser 1

Tahquitz 8, Rancho Verde 7

Temecula Prep 4, Perris 0

Tustin 5, Fullerton 3

Vasquez 10, Bishop Union 0

Villa Park 5, El Modena 1

Woodbridge 2, Irvine University 1

Intersectional

Channel Islands 4, Kearny 3

Harvard-Westlake 7, Southlake Carroll (TX) 5

Harvard-Westlake Marcus (TX)

SOFTBALL

Southern Section

Aliso Niguel 11, Dana Hills 0

Arroyo 9, Mountain View 0

Calvary Baptist 12, Packinghouse Christian 1

Chino Hills 14, Rancho Cucamonga 1

Colton 14, Rialto 0

Diamond Ranch 10, Chaffey 6

Eisenhower 9, Bloomington 5

Elsinore 12, West Valley 0

Etiwanda 7, Upland 6

Fullerton 1, La Palma Kennedy 0

Garden Grove 4, Segerstrom 3

Garden Grove Santiago 11, Anaheim 0

Glendora 12, Arcadia 1

Grand Terrace 8, Kaiser 4

Granite Hills 18, Adelanto 3

Great Oak 6, Chaparral 2

La Canada 7, South Pasadena 3

Loara 7, Westminster La Quinta 5

Los Altos 4, San Dimas 2

Monrovia 23, Temple City 11

Murrieta Mesa 11, Temecula Valley 1

Ontario 5, Montclair 2

Palos Verdes 9, Peninsula 0

Providence 23, Chadwick 3

Rancho Mirage 16, Moreno Valley 13

San Jacinto 8, Tahquitz 6

Santa Ana Valley 10, Estancia 0

Santa Barbara 8, Nordhoff 4

South El Monte 18, Gabrielino 4

South Hills 11, Colony 0

Summit 20, San Gorgonio 2

Tustin 8, Godinez 0

Ventura 10, San Marcos 3

Villa Park 13, San Juan Hills 3

Vista Murrieta 12, Murrieta Valley 4

West Torrance 5, North 1

April 18 (UPI) — Venice is reinstating a tourist entry fee Friday after experimenting last year with charging people to enter the city during busy times to reduce congestion.

The fee will be $5.69. For last-minute day-trippers the Venice fee will double.

The fee can be paid online and the doubling will happen if visitors buy entry within three days of arrival.

Last year’s experiment did not reduce the number of visitors, but it did raise $2.73 million for the city.

People booking a one-night stay or more won’t have to pay the fee. City residents, workers and people studying in Venice are also exempt.

“Our goal is to encourage quality tourism — overnight stays — that respects the city and seeks to engage with it on a deeper level, embracing its unique character and rhythm,” Venice councillor for tourism Simone Venturini said.

Roughly 30 million tourists visit Venice each year and 70% stay for the day.

Tourists staying multiple days won’t be charged for each day.

The fee, designed to deter day-trippers during the busiest days, will only be charged for 29 days in 2025.

The fee is in place for Good Friday and the following 16 days.

After that the fee will be charged for 12 subsequent weekends that include Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From August through the rest of the year the fee will not be charged.

People living in the Veneto region and holders of the European Disability Card won’t be charged.