Month: April 2025

Rights groups have criticised the repatriation drive, warning that mass expulsions risk endangering vulnerable people.

Pakistan has confirmed to have repatriated more than 80,000 Afghan nationals since April 1, before an extended April 30 deadline for the country’s largest migrant group in an initiative labelled as “forced deportation” by Afghanistan.

Talal Chaudhry, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry adviser, told reporters in Islamabad on Friday that there would be no more extensions to the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan launched in late 2023 for more than three million Afghans.

“We have communicated clear instructions to all provinces, if anyone gives a shop, house, or any kind of space to an illegal foreigner, they will be held accountable under the law,” he said.

Those lacking valid documents or holding Afghan Citizen Cards had initially been ordered to leave by March 31. That deadline was later extended by a month.

On Tuesday, the International Organization for Migration, a UN entity, said Pakistan has expelled nearly 60,000 Afghans since the start of April.

“With a new wave of large-scale returns now under way from Pakistan, needs on the ground are rising rapidly – both at the border and in areas of return that are struggling to absorb large numbers of returnees,” Mihyung Park, head of the IOM’s Afghanistan mission, said at the time.

More than 1.3 million Afghans who hold Proof of Registration cards from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, have also been told to move outside the capital Islamabad and the neighbouring city of Rawalpindi.

On Saturday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is due to visit Kabul, where he will head a delegation for high-level talks with the Taliban-led government.

“The talks will cover the entire gamut of the Pakistan-Afghan relationship, focusing on ways and means to deepen cooperation in all areas of mutual interests, including security, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties,” said a statement from Pakistan’s foreign office.

‘We have no desire to leave’

The crackdown threatens to uproot Afghan families that have been in the country for decades.

Earlier this month, Akber Khan, who owns a restaurant in the northwest Pakistani city of Peshawar, told The Associated Press news agency: “I have been here for almost 50 years. I got married here, so did my children, and 10 of my family members are buried here. That’s why we have no desire to leave.”

At least a third of the Afghans Pakistan wants to expel this year live in the northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Afghans can never be completely repatriated, especially from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as they return using illegal channels or exploiting loopholes in the system despite fencing at the border,” said Abdullah Khan, managing director of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, to Al Jazeera.

‘Security threat’

Islamabad has frequently linked Afghan refugees to rising security threats and criminal activity within its borders – allegations rejected by Kabul, which has described the campaign as forced deportation and politically motivated.

Authorities in Pakistan say they have established temporary holding centres across multiple cities to process and accommodate Afghan nationals before their return.

Most are being transported to the Torkham border crossing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the key route into eastern Afghanistan.

Human rights groups have criticised the repatriation drive, warning that mass expulsions risk endangering vulnerable people, particularly women and children, who may face insecurity or persecution upon return.

Despite these concerns, Pakistani officials maintain that the crackdown targets only those who remain in the country without legal authorisation, insisting the policy is a matter of national security.

Lytham St Annes in Lancashire is the perfect place to disconnect for a few days from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life – Plus, it’s next to a popular town. Do you fancy some fish and chips?

With the Easter holidays coming up and an awaited long weekend, booking a last-minute trip to a paradisiacal destination isn’t a bad idea. For those who want to save up the pennies for the summertime, but still spend a few days away from the city, there’s one perfect place that’s not too far from home: Lytham St Annes.

Just two miles from the famous Blackpool in Lancashire, Lytham St Annes is found. An interesting fact about the town is that it’s based on two separate towns, but because they’re practically next to each other, it’s often referred to as one name. It also has a population of over 42,000 residents.

Lytham St Annes is a classic seaside town with a sandy beach, a Victorian pier, gardens and a lot of history. Nestled along a picturesque stretch of coastline, there are plenty of activities to do, catered to all different ages and preferences.

READ MORE: Pretty UK seaside town where you’ll find one of Europe’s longest sandy beaches

Recently, St Anne’s was named as one of “the best beaches in England” and was also honoured with a Seaside Award by Keep Britain Tidy, an environmental charity. It’s a great place to soak up all the sunshine, have a refreshing swim, or visit the many gardens to explore – and there’s a waterfall.

The town’s main tourist attraction is the 600ft Victorian Pier stretching to the sea, which has been standing since 1885. The pier is free to visit, welcoming locals and visitors with an array of arcades, cafés, restaurants, and ice cream stands. A stroll on the pier also offers panoramic views of the coastline.

Places to visit in Lytham St Annes

• St Annes Beach
• St Annes Pier
• Ashton Gardens
• Lytham Hall
• Lytham Windmill
• St Annes Beach Huts
• Fairhaven United Reformed Church (The White Church)
• Queen Elizabeth II Park View Playing Fields
• The Promenade Gardens
• Lowther Gardens

READ MORE: ‘One of England’s most beautiful beaches’ is half an hour from huge seaside town

The food in Lytham St Annes is also well known for its delicious fish and chips. In a report by The Times, ranking the best fish and chips in the UK, The Haven was named as the UK’s finest in the 12th position.

The site said: “It’s worth seeing out this charming backstreet chippy off Lytham St Annes’ South Prom. It’s not the perfectly battered fish, nor that they serve the best chips we’ve tasted on our circumnavigation of the coast.”

In Lytham St Annes, the summers are cool and partly cloudy. As per the latest reports, the best time of year to visit the seaside town to get the most out of the hot temperatures is from late June to early September. Nonetheless, the early stages of spring also make it a great place to disconnect from the busy city life.

Whether you’re looking to spend some time away from home with friends or family during the Easter break without spending a fortune, Lytham St Annes is the place for you – and it’s next to Blackpool. Did anyone say road trip?

IT’S BARGAIN o’clock for anyone looking to spruce up their garden in the good weather – and Aldi is back with another corker.

With the bank holiday weekend on the horizon, it’s time to fight back against the winter weeds and wash away any muck on the patio.

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There’s nothing worse than having to use a limp hose on garden gunk, or leaving untouched tufts of grass unkempt because you don’t have a long enough reach on your devices.

Thankfully Aldi is offering an affordable option to help get your outdoor space ready for family and friends, with its convenient Workzone Cable Reel.

Astonishingly, this handy tool will set you back just £12.99.

The reel enables you to “get power where you need it,” and will be available in stores on Thursday, April 17.

To compare the incredible value of the tool to Aldi’s rivals, Bosch‘s equivalent ‘Cable reel for Vacuum Cleaners’ is priced at £47.54.

That’s almost three times the price of Aldi’s offering.

The cable reel is part of Aldi’s weekly Specialbuys range, which hit shelves every Thursday and Sunday.

From DIY bargains to beauty dupes, the Specialbuys are always hugely popular with customers, and fly off the shelves, so you’d better get down to your local store quick, as they are only available while stocks last.

But anyone keen to do some major DIY over the Easter weekend should be sure to check Aldi’s opening times, as they differ over bank holiday weekends.

Aldi’s cable reel comes with a host of convenient features, such as four different sockets, and approximately 10 metres of cable, allowing you to tackle multiple tasks at once, across your entire garden.

The gadget also boasts a thermal cut-out, a smooth rotation mechanism, and of course, a handle.

More Aldi Bargains

If you’re looking for more great gardening deals this bank holiday weekend, then look no further than Aldi’s Corded Mini Circular Saw.

Also hitting the shelves on Thursday, April 17, the handy gadget is priced at just £39.99.

Unsurprisingly, it’s also a fraction of the price of similar products on the market, with Bosch’s GKS 190 Professional Hand Held Circular Saw costing £140 – £100 more than the Aldi buy.

The nifty tool promises to help you “saw through your DIY projects in no time,” and has a saw blade speed of 3500 rpm.

It has a cutting depth of 27 mm and a hoover adaptor for a clean workspace.

The “powerful and durable” circular saw cuts up to 70 mm and has a 1400 W motor.]

Alternatively, if you really want your patio looking good-as-new this Easter, then check out the FERREX Small Pressure Washer which is priced at £39.99.

This bargain bit of kit is arriving on the aisles on Thursday, and packs a powerful 1400W motor with a maximum pressure of 110 bar — ideal for tackling stubborn stains outdoors.

It comes with a three meter high-pressure hose, spray gun, cleaning lance with extension and a quick-connect system for easily switching attachments.

The handy gadget weighs just 5kg, making it perfect for mobile use, and it’s easy to store thanks to its integrated cable and hose holder.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Ethiopian runner Tesfaye Tsegaye Keress deftly made his way through nearly 18,000 participants to position himself near the starting line of the Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon in December.

Keress said his diminutive size – he stands just 1.62 metres (5.3ft) tall and weighs about 50kg (116 pounds) – allowed the 27-year-old to slink easily through the throngs of runners to secure a strategic spot near the front just before the starting pistol was fired, in what was billed as Vietnam’s biggest marathon.

Just days earlier, Keress had landed in Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam’s commercial capital. He was accompanied by fellow Ethiopian runner, Dereje Alemu Miko, who came to compete in the 21km (13-mile) half-marathon at the event where Keress would run the full 42.1km marathon.

In a competition consisting primarily of thousands of local Vietnamese runners, the participation of Keress and Miko immediately stirred interest. Local media wanted to know who the competitors from East Africa were.

As Keress told Al Jazeera, love for the sport of running was not the only reason for their trip to Vietnam.

Keress knew that taking first place in the Ho Chi Minh City marathon would earn him a $2,500 cash prize.

Winning was important, he said.

“I have a wife and two sons, and we live in Sendafa,” Keress said, naming his hometown in Ethiopia’s Oromia region, about 38km (24 miles) northeast of the capital, Addis Ababa.

“We run a chicken farm and have two cows for milk. We plan to expand our farm using the money from marathon races,” he said.

To win, he would not only have to beat some of Vietnam’s best long-distance runners but also Kenya’s Edwin Kiptoo – a fellow East African who currently dominates Vietnam’s marathon running circuit after winning a string of major races.

Finding their feet on Vietnam’s streets

Keress might be considered an average runner in his native Ethiopia – a country that has produced some of the world’s most renowned track athletes.

His personal best speed to complete a marathon is 2:23:50, which he achieved in 2023 in a marathon in Thailand. Though impressive, that speed would still rule him out of top-tier marathon competitions – the Boston Marathon requires speeds of less than 2 hours 13 minutes for entrants in its professional division.

In Vietnam, however, Keress’s speed makes him a championship contender in a country where running has seen a steep rise in popularity.

Over the past decade, marathons have boomed in Vietnam – a development partly attributed to the country’s increasingly wealthy middle class seeking ways to keep fit in the country’s burgeoning big cities. There is also a new social side to running in Vietnam’s well-attended marathons, according to reports, which have seen a steep rise in popularity since the mid-2010s.

Despite a years-long slump during COVID, the popularity of running came back even stronger post-pandemic, with many people focused on keeping healthy. Local news site VnExpress reported in 2023 that a total of 41 full marathon races, with some 264,000 entrants, took place in 27 provinces and cities across Vietnam that year. That was 10 more marathons than were held in Vietnam in 2022.

With hundreds of thousands of runners taking part in a plethora of marathons up and down this country of 100 million people, major private sponsors have stepped in with prize money.

Vietnam’s many marathons and lucrative prizes of thousands of dollars for winners are now attracting high-performing athletes – like Keress and Kiptoo – from the elite running centres of East Africa.

East African athletes have long been a dominant force in competitive running, with world-famous track stars like Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge – who in 2019 became the first person in recorded history to run a 42-km marathon in less than two hours – and Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie who is considered one of the greatest long-distance runners in history, having set 27 world records.

Sporting scouts have for years flocked to Kenya and Ethiopia, among other East African countries, to identify promising talent. Deals to compete in competitions around the world are often mediated by sport agents, who sponsor a runner and in return may take a cut of their winnings if successful. There is also the opportunity to capitalise on media attention with product and brand deals that race victories accrue for individuals and running teams.

Such an arrangement brought Keress and Miko to compete in the Ho Chi Minh City marathon and half-marathon in December. They are both managed by a promoter from Thailand who sponsors a team of runners and also operates a company specialising in energy supplements for athletes.

Marathon running has also taken off in Thailand, along with a growing market for running gear and other services. And when runners such as Keress and Miko win races, there is a high return for sponsoring brand names and their products and services.

From prize hunter to celebrity athlete in Vietnam

When Edwin Kiptoo – who should not be confused with another younger Kenyan runner with the same name but of much greater international acclaim – first arrived in Vietnam in December 2023, he described how he was initially unprepared for the country and its costs.

Simply finding accommodation on arrival was challenging for Kiptoo, who arrived with a budget of just 150,000 Vietnamese dong (less than $6), hoping to find a simple place to rest one night before the race. In downtown Ho Chi Minh City, the cheapest room Kiptoo could find was double that price.

But good fortune seemed to favour Kiptoo when he was befriended by local runner Le Hoan whom he met at the race station where they went to collect their running bibs the day before the race. Learning of Kiptoo’s struggle to find somewhere cheap to stay, Le Hoan tried to help in the search for accommodation using a booking app. Still no luck.

As Kiptoo had handed Le Hoan his passport during the search for somewhere to stay, the Vietnamese runner spotted that they were both born in the same year, and that the Kenyan’s birthday was on the same day as his wife’s. Taking the alignment of dates as an auspicious sign, Le Hoan invited the Kenyan to his home. Over dinner with Le Hoan’s family, Kiptoo told them how he was running to support his family and had to save as much as possible.

Le Hoan paid for the runner’s stay in a hostel that night – on the eve of the huge Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City. The next day, Kiptoo would run faster than Vietnam’s two best marathon runners, Hoang Nguyen Thanh and Nguyen Van Lai, to win the race and pocket a $2,500 cash prize on the spot.

“Mr Hoan took me home and offered me meals with his family. He also rented me a hostel room for the night,” Kiptoo recounted to Al Jazeera. “After I won my first race, I offered to pay Hoan back but he simply refused,” he said.

“The generosity of him and his family truly surprised me,” he added.

Kiptoo’s wins and public profile in Vietnam have rocketed since. He quickly became a star runner in Vietnam and his participation in races is now sought after. His winnings have also stacked up, earning an average of about $1,000 each week for taking first place in races across the country.

But that was just the beginning.

In October 2024, Kiptoo signed a major sponsorship contract with sportswear company Do-Win Vietnam.

The company announced in a celebratory Facebook post how it had entered “a formal partnership with renowned runner Kiptoo!”

“This collaboration will create new breakthroughs and further strengthen the brand’s position in the sports industry,” it said.

The deal covers the runner’s living expenses, competition entrance fees, and, crucially, secures a visa allowing Kiptoo to compete professionally in Vietnam. In the past, visas and visa extensions for Africans in Vietnam have been problematic, partly due to a crackdown on foreigners involved in crime in the country.

So having a major sponsor behind him gives runners such as Kiptoo a large degree of security.

The 38-year-old, whose wife and daughter are still in Kenya, has even been given access to exclusive, publicly funded sports facilities and resources, which are typically reserved for provincial or national-level Vietnamese athletes.

Now freed from financial pressure and logistical concerns regarding race participation, Kiptoo said he has been able to fully dedicate himself to training, making him a force nearly impossible to beat in Vietnam’s marathons.

“The support from Vietnamese people makes me feel at home,” Kiptoo told Al Jazeera.

Success in Vietnam has not only brought Kiptoo financial rewards but also elevated him to a sort of sports celebrity status among local people. He has been featured many times by local Vietnamese media because of his running success and his posts on Facebook receive thousands of reactions – mostly from his Vietnamese fans.

Competing in Vietnam is still a gamble

A marathon, which usually lasts at least two hours for top-level runners, inherently carries risks as it challenges a person’s physical and mental limits.

For African runners competing in Vietnam, challenges exist not only during the race but also in the many twists and turns their professional journey takes.

In March 2023, runners Kemboi Ezekiel from Kenya and Marta Tinsae Birehan from Ethiopia were full of hope on entering a race in Ho Chi Minh City after hearing that breaking the Vietnamese marathon record would win them a car. After arriving in the country, they discovered that the car prize had been a one-time offer available only in the previous year’s race.

Despite their disappointment, both runners went on to compete. While Ezekiel faced little competition in the men’s race, Marta unexpectedly collapsed while leading the women’s race. She had mistakenly consumed an electrolyte drink at a water station, which upset her digestive system.

Even Kiptoo, with more experience and many marathon championships under his belt in Vietnam, cannot escape challenges. In late 2024, he was sponsored to compete in a marathon in Hanoi. Due to a misunderstanding, a sponsor failed to register Kiptoo among the professional athletes competing. As a result, despite winning the marathon, Kiptoo only received an age-group prize of $200, rather than the $2,100 winner’s takings. He said he did not want to complain about the outcome, saying “we all have to follow the rules.”

Running in the Ho Chi Minh City Marathon in December along an already familiar course and accustomed to the climate, Kiptoo cruised to victory over Keress and thousands of others to further cement his reign over the Vietnamese marathon scene.

Finishing just behind Kiptoo, Keress limped across the finish line, grimacing in pain. He attributed his performance to fatigue from another recent marathon.

After receiving treatment in the recovery area, Keress’s pain subsided but his frustration lingered until his mood was lifted when he discovered that he had won $1,000 in prize money for taking third place – a welcome contribution to his dream of expanding his farm back home. However, as his promoter will also take a cut of his winnings, his actual takings would not be so big.

His teammate Miko dominated the half marathon, securing a $600 prize.

‘Unpredictable risks’

After their races, both runners were taken back to their hotel to rest before returning to Thailand, where they had been based for the previous six months in a training camp outside the capital, Bangkok. Their Thai promoter oversees all aspects of their running careers in Southeast Asia – from travel and accommodation to training plans, race entries and immigration visas.

For runners such as Keress and Miko, who have travelled little beyond their home countries, such management deals are indispensable. They told Al Jazeera how they hold their Thai manager in high regard, viewing him as a sort of father figure.

But the relationship seems closer to employee and employer, with the runners being very much bound by the overriding imperative of achieving good performance for their team and sponsor – in an unspoken power dynamic.

Keress and Miko recounted how they had plans to return to Ethiopia and reunite with their families.

They did not know how much prize money they would be bringing home with them as the cost of their travel expenses to competitions, accommodation and food are deducted from their winnings.

And not all marathons pay winners immediately – some prizes are delayed for months and financial security is far from assured for many runners.

Despite the difficulty and uncertainty faced by prize-hunting runners in Vietnam, rumours about the country as a life-changing destination for athletes are spreading in East Africa, according to Kiptoo, Keress and others.

Previously a teacher in Eldoret, in Kenya’s Rift Valley region, Kiptoo’s meagre salary barely supported his family. Then COVID-19 hit and his family’s finances were devastated. That was, he said, when he took up running seriously as a way out of poverty.

His success in Vietnam has not only allowed him to support his family but also to buy several properties as investments in Kenya.

Kiptoo recounted how he never expected that Vietnam would become so central to his life as an athlete and breadwinner for his family.

“In Kenya, we watch a lot of Vietnamese films, but very few people actually know what the country is really like,” Kiptoo said.

He did not know either, at the beginning.

Now with marathon running projected to continue growing in coming years, the draw of Vietnam for African runners is not likely to wane soon.

“Perhaps more Kenyan athletes will come here in the future to earn money through running events. But it’s not easy,” he said.

“The two countries are very far apart, and marathons always carry unpredictable risks.”

88 Club

At 88 Club, planks of artful shrimp toast, piles of chewy mung bean jelly noodles and clay pots of mapo tofu spin on well-lighted marble lazy Susans. This is Mei Lin’s take on Chinese banquet dining, and it marks a big return for the “Top Chef” and “Tournament of Champions” winner.

After closing their lauded contemporary Chinese restaurant Nightshade, and focusing on Sichuan-spiced fried chicken sandwich shop Daybird, Lin and business partner Francis Miranda are returning with a more formal, full-service restaurant for the first time in five years.

Mung bean jelly noodles with chile oil and aged black vinegar at 88 Club in Beverly Hills.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

“Having Daybird and doing the fast-casual thing was fun, but being in a kitchen and creating food for [88 Club’s] type of setting is even more fun, and it gives me a lot of creative juices to do a little bit more,” Lin said.

At 88 Club, Lin is serving the kind of food she grew up eating and cooking but preparing and plating it with a bit more refinement — and in a sleek, low-lighted, marble-adorned setting in Beverly Hills. In comparison to the fine–dining cuisine of Nightshade, where mapo tofu took the form of lasagna and tom yum spice dusted her take on the bloomin’ onion, Lin said her approach to 88 Club is more broadly familiar and more straightforward.

“It’s very unapologetic and it’s straight to the point, and that’s the whole approach to the entire menu,” she said, adding, “It’s a lot of the flavors that you know, just turned on [their] head a little bit. It’s nothing that you haven’t seen before, but it’s done to perfection.”

Lin and her culinary team, which includes chef de cuisine and La Dolce Vita vet Nick Russo, cook glossy cha siu made from Iberico pork, rotating through cuts and serving it with a dollop of hot mustard. There’s fried whole sweet and sour fish, its sauce poured tableside. Plump wontons practically burst with prawns and bamboo shoots, all swimming in a fragrant chicken stock. For dessert, Lin whips up almond tofu with seasonal farmers-market produce; jasmine milk tea custard buns; a creamy mango coconut sago with tart pops of pomelo; and a light ginger ice cream topped with a chewy almond cookie.

Bar seating at 88 Club in Beverly Hills.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

The bar area, which includes five seats and lounge tables, offers a pared-down menu of the dining room’s full offerings. (Maybe, Miranda hints, Daybird could pop up in the space one day to bring the Westside a taste of Lin’s numbing-spice fried chicken.)

In the background of running Daybird, Lin and Miranda began planning the restaurant over the last two years. Leading up to the launch, they scoured flea markets for Chinese antiques, art and plateware. “We kind of always have the idea in the back of our heads of doing some classic Chinese flavors,” said Miranda, who is also an owner of Trophies Burger Club.

Diana Lee curated the wine program, which includes rieslings to pair with the aromatic Chinese food, while Kevin Nguyen headed up cocktails and nonalcoholic concoctions that re-create classics with a Chinese tinge: The Long Island iced tea riffs on a Hong Kong-style lemon iced tea, and the dirty martini uses house-fermented mustard greens and their brine.

88 Club is open Tuesday to Thursday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 11 p.m. 9737 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 968-9955, 88clubbh.com

Grilled kielbasa and handmade pierogi at Stara Pierogi & Sausage inside the Original Farmers Market.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

New vendors at the Original Farmers Market

A string of new restaurants recently opened inside the Original Farmers Market, adding to the color and variety of the historic 91-year-old destination. For Kamila Zymanczyk, who immigrated from Poland five years ago, it was love at first sight. She and her family knew they wanted to open Stara Pierogi & Sausage there.

“We were looking for some Polish Eastern European cuisine [in L.A.], and we couldn’t find many,” she said. “We thought there should be something else, another place, and we went to the [Original] Farmers Market. We fell in love with this place.”

Zymanczyk grew up cooking at home with her great-grandmother, her grandmother and her mother; most of the dishes served at her casual food stall are made with their traditional recipes. She and her children handmake pierogi stuffed with a range of fillings; fresh paczki, or doughnuts; nalesniki, or crepes; schnitzel; and griddled imported kielbasa sausages with onions.

Wood-fired pizza at Savta in the Original Farmers Market.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Nearby, the full-service Savta — which originated in New York City — serves California cuisine with a European bent. Founder Vincent Benoliel offers wood-fired pizzas; crispy artichokes with panko and lemon cream; linguine vongole with bottarga; steak frites with green peppercorn sauce; chicken with honey and hummus; clams au gratin and more.

Upstairs, Benoliel’s new hand-roll concept, Sora Temaki Bar, serves classic sushi hand rolls and sashimi in addition to specialty temaki that include panko-fried oysters with ginger tartar sauce; toro with caviar and Santa Barbara-caught uni; plus seared Japanese Wagyu with garlic chips and tare.

On April 25, Mediterranean restaurant Theía — previously located farther west, in Beverly Grove — will reopen in the Original Farmers Market under new ownership. The latest iteration will feature dishes such as grilled lamb skewers, lobster cavatelli and chocolate mousse baklava, along with live entertainment including DJ sets, belly dancers and acrobats.

Stara Pierogi & Sausage is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m; Savta is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sora Temaki Bar is open Sunday to Thursday from noon to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. 6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, farmersmarketla.com

Coconut milk risotto with baked mahi mahi, fried onions and tomato gravy at Kurrypinch in East Hollywood.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Kurrypinch

After bringing his vibrant Sri Lankan cuisine to Van Nuys and Tarzana, and then closing both locations, Kurrypinch chef-owner Shaheen Ghazaly is giving Hollywood a taste. Longtime fan and business partner Dr. Nimesh Rajakumar teamed up with Ghazaly to reopen Kurrypinch, this time in a larger and more central location. The Sri Lankan-raised, Pakistan-born Ghazaly meticulously grinds his own chile pastes each morning and painstakingly makes his own roti, all in the name of spreading the allure and awareness of Sri Lankan cuisine.

He and his team serve kiribath-inspired coconut milk risotto with mahi mahi, Ghazaly’s signature ghee mashed potatoes, avocado juice, weekend-only biryani and more. The East Hollywood restaurant features a six-seat chef’s table overlooking the grill, plus roughly 50 seats in the dining room.

Kurrypinch is open Tuesday to Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., then 5 to 10 p.m. 5051 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 407-6176, kurrypinch.com

A hurricane and a mint julep (right) at the Evangeline Swamp Room, the Chinatown bar from the Little Jewel of New Orleans.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

The Evangeline Swamp Room

After more than a decade of waiting, the team behind Chinatown staple the Little Jewel of New Orleans opened its adjacent cocktail bar for mint juleps, grasshoppers, hurricane cocktails and more.

Charbroiled oysters at the Evangeline Swamp Room.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Since Little Jewel’s launch in 2014, owners and husband-and-wife team Marcus Christiana-Beniger and Eunah Kang-Beniger focused primarily on the operations of their New Orleans-ode restaurant, which is famed for its po’boys, debris fries, gator sausages and other specialties. But all the while they dreamed of opening the Evangeline Swamp Room next door, waiting to begin construction.

Now, after years of readying the space and replicating the scene of a French Quarter watering hole, Christiana-Beniger and Kang-Beniger — along with business partner Evan Mack — serve classics and regional specialties such as the Ramos gin fizz, the vieux carré and the sazerac, alongside frosty, strong libations and a pared-down food menu from the restaurant next door. Look for charbroiled oysters, po’boys, skillet crawfish mac and cheese, fried frogs legs and fried okra, plus special events, including live music and crawfish boils.

The Evangeline Swamp Room is open Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. 701 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, (213) 620-0461, swamproom.la

Angel’s Tijuana Tacos bricks-and-mortar

Guests line up in Anaheim for the first bricks-and-mortar location of Angel’s Tijuana Tacos.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

After seven years of street vending and pop-ups, some of the best tacos in Los Angeles now have a permanent storefront. Angel’s Tijuana Tacos operates more than a dozen stalls spread across Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire, filling freshly hand-pressed corn tortillas with trompo-singed al pastor and other specialties dolloped with generous scoops of guacamole. Its first bricks-and-mortar location, in Anaheim, features indoor seating and hand-painted murals, and offers all of the signatures found at the street stands, such as tacos, quesadillas, vampiros, burritos and meat-piled baked potatoes.

There are also a few notable additions: Micheladas can be found only at the bricks-and-mortar, along with French fries that come loaded with cheese, guacamole and your choice of meat — an occasional special at limited stalls.

Angel’s Tijuana Tacos restaurant is open in Anaheim Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. 3436 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, instagram.com/angelstijuanatacos

Heavy Handed Silver Lake

Heavy Handed in Silver Lake.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Heavy Handed’s short rib double cheeseburger with fries in Silver Lake.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Last year, one of L.A.’s most popular smashburger operations expanded from Santa Monica to Studio City, its bright orange-and-red building a beacon for short rib smash burgers, dipped soft-serve cones and tallow fries. Now it’s launched a third outpost, and this time it’s even farther east. Heavy Handed’s signatures can now be found in Silver Lake, taking over the former All Day Baby space with new retail items from owners Max Miller and Danny Gordon as well. In Silver Lake, the wine list skews more natural, funky and experimental, tailored to the neighborhood; the location also features multiple TVs broadcasting a range of live sports, and seats roughly 55. The late-March opening marked the debut of Heavy Handed’s take-home buckets of bread-and-butter pickles and squeeze bottles of “heavy” sauce, which can also be found in Santa Monica and Studio City.

Heavy Handed is open daily in Silver Lake from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. 3200 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, heavyhanded.la

Court says detained pro-Palestine student has shown ‘significant evidence’ violations to her constitutional rights.

Washington, DC – A federal judge in the United States has ordered the government to transfer a pro-Palestine Turkish student, Rumeysa Ozturk, to Vermont for the court to assess legal challenges to her detention.

In a ruling on Friday, District Court Judge William S Sessions found that Ozturk – who is currently held in Louisiana – has presented “significant evidence” to back the allegations that her detention violated her free speech and due process rights.

Ozturk was arrested and had her visa revoked in March. Supporters say she was targeted over an op-ed she co-authored last year, criticising Tufts University for dismissing a student government resolution that called on the school to divest from Israeli companies.

For these claims to be assessed, Sessions wrote, Ozturk’s case needs to be heard in court.

“The Court concludes that this case will continue in this Court with Ms Ozturk physically present for the remainder of the proceedings,” he wrote.

The judge gave the government until May 1 to transfer Ozturk and set a bond hearing on May 9 for her to argue for a temporary release.

Ozturk was sent to a detention facility in Louisiana, in what critics say is part of a government effort to keep detainees away from their supporters and lawyers – and place them in conservative-leaning legal districts.

The Tufts University student was arrested near her home in Massachusetts on March 30. Surveillance footage of the incident shows masked immigration officers, who did not identify themselves as law enforcement, approaching her on the street and grabbing her hands.

Critics have described the incident as an abduction.

Her student visa has been revoked as part of a massive crackdown by President Donald Trump’s administration on foreign students who have protested or criticised Israel’s war on Gaza.

Sessions confirmed that the only identifiable evidence that the US government is using to detain and deport Ozturk is the op-ed.

“Her evidence supports her argument that the government’s motivation or purpose for her detention is to punish her for co-authoring an op-ed in a campus newspaper which criticized the Tufts University administration, and to chill the political speech of others,” Sessions said.

“The government has so far offered no evidence to support an alternative, lawful motivation or purpose for Ms Ozturk’s detention.”

He also stressed that the First Amendment, which protects free speech, “has long extended” to non-citizens living in the US.

The case Sessions is overseeing is known as a habeas corpus petition. It challenges Ozturk’s detention, not the broader push to deport her.

Deportation matters are reviewed through a separate system, where non-citizens bring their cases in front of an immigration judge who works within the executive branch. It is not a separate part of the government, as the independent judiciary is.

Advocates say immigration judges often “rubber-stamp” the decisions of the executive branch under which they work. An immigration judge in Louisiana denied Ozturk’s release on bail earlier this week.

Immigration cases can be appealed to a board of immigration appeals, an administrative body. As a last resort, immigrants can petition to bring their case in front of a court of appeals that is part of the regular judicial system.

The Trump administration has been stressing that the law gives it leeway over immigration issues – and that, in turn, offers the presidency broad powers that supersede concerns about free speech and due process.

To authorise the deportations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has invoked a rarely used provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act that grants him the authority to remove non-citizens whom he deems to “have serious adverse foreign policy consequences” for the US.

But part of Friday’s ruling could have sweeping implications for Ozturk and other students facing deportation.

Sessions dismissed the notion that detained immigrants can have their constitutional rights ignored because of an administrative process.

The judge said the government is arguing that an immigration law “grants practically limitless, unreviewable power to detain individuals for weeks or months, even if the detention is patently unconstitutional”.

The Angels activated shortstop Zach Neto off the injured list before Friday night’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants.

The 24-year-old Neto injured his right shoulder injury when his arm got caught underneath his chest on a headfirst slide into second base against the Chicago White Sox last Sept. 26. He missed the final three games of the season and had surgery in November.

A first-round pick out of Campbell University in North Carolina in 2022, Neto hit .249 with a .761 OPS, 23 home runs, 34 doubles, 77 RBIs, 70 runs and 30 stolen bases in 155 games last season.

The return of Neto’s bat should be a considerable upgrade over Tim Anderson and Kevin Newman, who played solid defense but provided little offense for the Angels. Anderson hit .171 with a .422 OPS, one double and three RBIs in his first 15 games. Newman hit .136 with a .273 OPS and no RBIs in nine games.

Since scoring 11 runs at Tampa Bay on April 10, the Angels have scored 14 runs, an average of 2.3 runs per game and have lost five of their last six at Houston and Texas.

Neto missed all of spring training and began a rehabilitation assignment at triple-A Salt Lake on April 1. He made eight starts at shortstop, playing 56 innings in the field, and five at designated hitter, batting .286 (14 for 49) with a .988 OPS, four homers, three doubles and eight RBIs in the 13 games.

To make room on the roster for Neto, utilityman Nicky Lopez was designated for assignment.

April 18 (UPI) — Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was improperly deported to El Salvador, was moved from the notorious maximum-security Terrorism Confinement Center to another detention center nine days ago, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Friday.

The Democratic senator said he met his constituent for 30 minutes off prison grounds Thursday.

“He’s no longer at CECOT,” said Van Hollen, who was back in the United States. “He’s at a different prison, which is pretty far outside of San Salvador.”

He briefed reporters at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, appearing with the man’s wife, mother and brother who he said were “desperate to learn” if Abrego Garcia was still alive.

He said the “conditions are better” in this new detention center, which is in Santa Ana about 39 miles away.

“His conversation with me was the first communication he’d had with anybody outside of prison since he was abducted,” Van Hollen said. “He said he felt very sad about being in a prison because he had not committed any crimes.”

Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador on Wednesday in hopes of visiting the jailed Abrego Garcia and securing his release, but was prevented by Salvadoran soldiers from nearing the prison. That was despite several Republicans earlier touring the facility, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

He met with Vice President Vice President Felix Ulloa, who told him it wasn’t possible to see him.

The situation changed on Thursday.

The United States last month deported Abrego Garcia — along with hundreds of others accused of being affiliated with the Venezuelan gang MS-13 without a hearing.

The Trump administration admitted they erroneously sent the Maryland resident to El Salvador, calling it an administrative mistake in not giving him due process.

Despite the Supreme Court and a Maryland court judge demanding that Abrego Garcia be returned, the Trump administration continues to publicly argue that he is a MS-13 gang member and appeals the court decisions that would secure his return.

On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied the Trump administration’s request for a stay pending appeal on the order demanding they “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s state-side return.

The White House posted on X on Friday that Abrego Garcia is “never coming back” scribbled over a copy of the New York Times, which inserts its own version of the headline, calling him an “MS-13 illegal Alien.”

The U.S. government has been paying the Central American nation to house the prisoners.

Van Hollen said the Trump administration has promised to pay $15 million to the country, and $4 million has already been spent.

Abrego Garcia described the conditions, including being placed in a single cell with 25 people. “He said he was not afraid of the other prisoners in his immediate cell but that he was traumatized by being at CECOT and fearful of many of the prisoners in other cell box who called out to him and taunted him in various ways,” Van Hollen said.

He also mentioned his deportation from Maryland.

“He told me that he was taken to Baltimore first,” Van Hollen said. “I assume that was the Baltimore Detention Center. He asked to make a phone call from there to let people know what had happened to him but he was denied that opportunity.

“He said he was later taken with some others from Baltimore to a detention center in Texas and some point thereafter — I don’t know if it was hours or days — he was handcuffed, shackled and put on a plane along with others where they couldn’t see out of the windows.”

Abrego Garcia is married to an American citizen and was granted residence in 2019. The 29-year-old migrated to the United States when he was 16.

Abrego Garcia spoke to the senator about his 5-year-old son, who has autism and was in the car when the man was pulled over by immigration agents.

Van Hollen said his efforts are not just about one prisoner.

“It’s about protecting the constitutional rights of everybody who resides in the United States of America,” Van Hollen said. “If you deny the constitutional rights of one man, you threaten the constitutional rights and due process for everyone else in America.”

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele posted on social media he was “sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!”

Van Hollen on Friday denied that any alcoholic beverages were consumed during the meeting.

This former fishing village is a true under-the-radar gem, boasting access to multiple coastal trails and an award-winning beach beloved by windsurfers, rock-poolers and sand-castle enthusiasts

There is stiff competition for the crown of ‘best UK beach’ but an underdog seems to have gained a top spot. The UK is home to miles and miles of impressive coastline, featuring fine sand beaches and secluded coves that offer holidaying families and even avid surfers plenty to explore.

Cornwall is usually the first region that comes to mind when thinking of the UK’s best beach destinations. However, one particularly picturesque beach is making a strong case for the North Yorkshire coastline.

Filey Beach is defined by a wide expanse of golden sand, situated in the classic seaside resort of Filey. Unlike many of its east coast neighbours, Filey is less of a commercial tourist destination and manages to maintain an air of serenity and family-friendly charm.

READ MORE: Beautiful UK seaside town named Britain’s dreamiest with huge woodland

Despite being less of a tourist hub, Filey beach is fitted with all the modern conveniences of a cafe, first aid point, deckchair hire and plentiful parking. It is also accessible with disabled facilities and parking spaces available.

Kite-flying, sand castle construction and horseback riding are a few of the common activities that take place on this five-mile stretch of beach. Filey beach is also considered one of the safest in the country, with a gentle slope and no deeper parts to catch you unawares.

Donkey rides are a distinguishing feature of Filey beach, running between Easter and September or when operators are available. Other children-friendly features of the area include a paddling pool and children’s fairground near the promenade.

The beach is also patrolled by an RNLI qualified lifeguard service during peak season. That said, dogs are not permitted on the beach between the months of May and September.

Filey beach is also a big hit with adults who enjoy sailing and surfing – but with high cliffs behind the bay, offshore winds can make sailing very difficult. Wind surfing is also common at Filey beach, there is even a windsurfing school nearby and the North East sector is reportedly an ideal spot for beginners.

The superb water quality is another reputable feature of the beach and has earned the ENCAMS Seaside Award in the past. Filey beach was also recognised as “Beach of the Year” by the Sunday Times in 2018.

The beach itself stretches from the steep cliffs of the Filey Brigg peninsula down to Bempton Nature Reserve. Situated toward the north, Filey Brigg is known for its intriguing rock pools that are usually a hit with avid and budding explorers.

Filey Brigg is also a beloved spot for birdwatching and marks the end point of the Cleveland Way coastal Walk. The moderate trail begins at Helmsley and goes on for 109 miles through moorlands – passing the famous Helmsley Castle – and into coastal territory.

The buzzing promenade that runs adjacent to the beach also has a Sculpture Trail and beach chalets. The artwork that travellers will notice as they walk along is inspired by the village’s fishing heritage.

Situated between Scarborough and Bridlington, Filey is one of many picturesque stops for those avid to explore England’s North Sea coast. Scarborough in particular is worth a detour if you’re in the area, home to award-winning sandy bays and impressive North Sea views from the nearby headland.

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From jubilance to devastation

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Beginnings of the culture wars

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How the debate began to change

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Supreme Court ruling in practice

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Celebrity Big Brother evictee Daley Thompson mocked Tiffany Pollard for being ‘friendless’ leading to the US star screaming at him on Late and Live, calling him ‘rotten’

Tiffany Pollard was involved in more Celebrity Big Brother drama on Friday night, as she had another ‘clash’ on Late and Live.

She hit back at evicted housemate Daley Thompson who randomly mocked the US star and former housemate. He commented on air about her being “friendless” during her series of the show, leading to roars from the audience.

Tiffany wasted no time in hitting back at the retired athlete, getting her revenge over his jibe. She called him “rotten” and said she did not need his friendship, leaving the audience and viewers in hysterics.

She said: “I don’t need your friendship because you might be a good kisser but you need to kiss some tomatoes because you are rotten honey.” But it was all fun and games though, as they laughed it off before a later moment saw Tiffany daring Daley to “touch her again”.

He laughed, saying it was “a promise not a threat”, with it all over a friendly hug. While there was no drama there, the same couldn’t be said for Tiffany and second evictee Trisha Goddard who clashed over a mystery incident earlier in the week.

READ MORE: Celebrity Big Brother’s Daley Thompson brands co-stars ‘rats’ after eviction

Tiffany claimed Trisha had been rude to her before making it very clear she was not happy. Trisha said they could talk about it later and that she was complimenting her, and the drama was halted.

Meanwhile on Friday night Daley became the third housemate to be evicted following a nail biting public vote. As the news was delivered he said it had been a blast.

Upon exiting the house, Daley told hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best that living in the house was “fantastic” as he encouraged them to spend a few weeks in the property. During his exit interview, he said: “I would have liked to have stayed longer but I was quite happy to come out.

“The problem with it is, no matter what goes on in there, it’s you lot out here,” as he pointed to the public. He added that he didn’t have “high hopes” for his housemates, adding: “They have been funny, revealing, great people.”

When presented with who had nominated him and why, the sportsman commented: “None of them surprised me because they’re all rats.”

He rejected claims that he didn’t do any washing up. “I promise you on my child’s life,” he said. He revealed that every day he would wash up and make cups of tea for his housemates.

He claimed his housemates “saw him as a threat.” Speaking about his time in the house, he said: “I was chatting to everybody, offering people advice if they wanted it and I was generally trying to be friendly with everyone.” But he later added that: “Jealously always rears its ugly head.”

Celebrity Big Brother 2025 airs weeknights and Sundays at 9PM on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

One of the most important insights of public policy is the understanding that most laws are predicated upon a (stated or unstated) quid pro quo.

Take, for example, the roiling months-long debate about President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda. Think back to the arrest and initiation of removal proceedings against Mahmoud Khalil, the green card-holding pro-Palestinian organizer at Columbia University. Critics said that Khalil never committed an actual black-letter crime — and perhaps he didn’t. But the government has argued he supported the foreign terrorist organization Hamas and contributed to a hostile campus environment for Columbia’s besieged Jewish students. Doing so could abuse the terms of his noncitizen legal permanent residence and forfeit his right to be here.

We might view it this way: If Khalil violated his implicit “quid,” he lost his corresponding “quo.”

Many similar examples abound throughout our legal fabric. Consider also Section 230, the 1990s-era technology law: In exchange for helping to “offer a forum for a true diversity of political discourse,” as the statute aims to do, a given social media platform will not be treated as a “publisher” for purposes of defamation law. But Big Tech has repeatedly violated the “quid” (suppressing perspectives for political reasons), and now a change to the statutory “quo” is appropriate.

This same prism can explain the ongoing, and rapidly escalating, standoff between Trump’s administration and Harvard University — and Trump’s ambitious agenda to rein in the fiscal and cultural excesses of elite American higher education, more generally.

For decades, American institutions of higher education have benefited from extraordinary taxpayer largesse. Federal government grants and other forms of direct taxpayer subsidizations of universities are legion, not to mention tuition revenue from federally backed student loans. Capital gains of major university endowments are also taxed at the minuscule rate of 1.4% — a fraction of the taxation rate to which the endowments would be subject were they operating as any other type of business or investment fund.

This favorable governmental treatment of higher education is the back-end “quo.” But policymakers predicated that “quo,” long ago, on the corresponding “quid”: American universities, in educating young Americans and instilling in them a love of their faith traditions, their nation and God, conduce to the common good and deserve direct public support.

The basic problem with this argument, in the year 2025, is that — quite simply — it is indescribably and laughably out of touch with reality.

American higher education, viewed as a whole, no longer conduces to the common good. Indeed, it has not done so for a very long time now. William F. Buckley Jr., the founder of National Review, published “God and Man at Yale,” a prominent cri de coeur against the liberal educational establishment, seven and a half decades ago. The rise of the Frankfurt School and rampant cultural Marxist indoctrination soon followed. The problem of institutions of higher education churning out not godly patriots but decadent ingrates has been with us for a very long time. But for too long, the higher education “quo” of extra-generous taxpayer treatment stayed constant despite the collapse of the onetime “quid.”

Trump, in seeking to condition federal taxpayer grants to elite universities like Columbia and Harvard on the universities’ bare-minimum compliance with the nation’s civil rights laws, is taking the smallest step possible to recalibrate the discombobulated quid pro quo that has defined the taxpayer-university relationship for decades. American universities retain full 1st Amendment rights to speak, instruct and promulgate however they would like — but they cannot do so on the taxpayer dime when they engage in flagrant racial, ethnic or religious discrimination against applicants and students in violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. There is also always the “Hillsdale College option” — like Michigan-based Hillsdale, any other school can simply opt out of federal funding. Perhaps they should!

Many notable Democrats, such as former President Obama, have lined up to defend Harvard — the Trump administration’s most recent and outsized funding target. Truly, it is remarkable. The onetime party of the working-class — “lunch bucket Joe,” as former President Biden was once known — has transmogrified into the leading partisan proponent of a status quo in which working-class men and women nationwide subsidize not necessarily the local technical training school, but the distant Ivy League ivory tower. Democrats may not win back the Rust Belt any time soon, but they can at least bank on the Harvard and Yale faculty lounges. And maybe they’re OK with that. I know I am.

Josh Hammer’s latest book is “Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West.” This article was produced in collaboration with Creators Syndicate. @josh_hammer

America’s Justin Thomas has a two shot-lead over Kim Si-woo after the second round of the RBC Heritage.

Thomas shot a course-record 10-under-par 61 in his opening round at the Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina.

The 31-year-old followed it up with a two-under round of 69, featuring four birdies and two bogeys, to finish a couple of strokes ahead of South Korea’s Kim.

Kim fired the round of the day, a seven-under 64, to claim a share of second place at 10 under with Russell Henley (68).

Thomas is seeking his first victory since winning his second major at the 2022 US PGA Championship.

England’s Tommy Fleetwood kept himself in contention with 66 to share fourth with Andrew Novak while defending champion Scottie Scheffler made 70 and is a further shot back at eight under.

Major winners Collin Morikawa (66), Brian Harman (69) and Wyndham Clark (70) are part of a five-way tie at seven under.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has cast doubt over the intentions of the United States a day before a second round of nuclear talks is set to take place with Washington.

The new round will come a week after the two countries held their highest-level negotiations since US President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned a 2015 landmark nuclear deal three years later. Iran has since abandoned all limits on its nuclear programme, and enriches uranium to up to 60 percent purity – near weapons-grade levels of 90 percent.

“Although we have serious doubts about the intentions and motivations of the American side, in any case, we will participate in tomorrow’s negotiations,” Araghchi said on Friday during a news conference in Moscow with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

Araghchi will set off on Saturday for Rome for a new round of Omani-mediated talks with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

“We are fully prepared to pursue a peaceful resolution for Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme,” Araghchi said.

Lavrov said Moscow was ready “to play any role that will be useful from Iran’s point of view and that will be acceptable to the United States”.

Russia, which commands the world’s largest confirmed arsenal of nuclear weapons, has deepened its military ties with Iran since it launched its offensive on Ukraine in February 2022, and has played a role in Iran’s nuclear negotiations in the past as a veto-wielding United Nations Security Council member.

Western countries, including the US, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons – an allegation Tehran has consistently denied, insisting that its programme is for peaceful civilian purposes.

Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, reporting from Tehran, said there is “a cloud of mistrust in the air” despite statements made by Araghchi.

“With the talks ahead, there is a perception among Iranians that there is this mistrust that exists pertaining to the United States, but going back to the statement that were heard today … we saw a mix of doubt and hope at the same time,” Asadi said.

“Iran is saying it is not interested in putting other issues … [such as] defence capabilities … on the table of negotiations,” he added.

‘Unrealistic demands’

US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran if it does not agree to a deal with the US.

On Tuesday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the country’s military capabilities were off limits in the discussions.

The official IRNA news agency reported Iran’s regional influence and its missile capabilities, long criticised by Western governments, were among its “red lines” in the talks.

On Wednesday, the Iranian foreign minister said Iran’s enrichment of uranium was not up for discussion, after Witkoff called for it to end.

“If there is similar willingness on the other side, and they refrain from making unreasonable and unrealistic demands, I believe reaching an agreement is likely,” Araghchi said during Friday’s news conference.

Lavrov emphasised that any potential agreement should only pertain to the nuclear issue.

“This is a fundamental point that must be taken into account by those who try to burden the negotiations with non-nuclear issues and thus create a very risky situation,” he said.

Iran told the US during last week’s talks it was ready to accept some limits on its uranium enrichment, but needed watertight guarantees Trump would not again ditch the pact, an Iranian official told the Reuters news agency on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official said Tehran’s red lines “mandated by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei” could not be compromised in the talks, adding that those red lines meant Iran would never agree to dismantle its centrifuges for enriching uranium, halt enrichment altogether, or reduce the amount of enriched uranium it stores to a level below the level it agreed in the 2015 deal.

It would also not negotiate over its missile programme, which Tehran views as outside the scope of any nuclear deal, Reuters reported.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier on Friday that the US administration is looking for a peaceful solution with Iran but will never tolerate the country developing a nuclear weapon.

Rubio met with British, French and German officials in Paris and pressed them to maintain sanctions against Iran instead of allowing them to run out.

Israel also reiterated its unwavering commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, saying it had a “clear course of action” to prevent this.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I, along with all relevant bodies, are committed to leading a clear course of action that will prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Friday.

THE Rock is one of the most recognisable faces in the history of WWE.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was heavily involved in the build-up to WrestleMania 40, teaming with Roman Reigns in the main event of night 1.

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Now in an authority role, rather than an in-ring one, The Rock tried to get Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes to sell him his soul ahead of Elimination Chamber.

However, Rhodes refused, and instead John Cena shocked the world by turning on Rhodes and siding with The Rock, turning heel for the first time in his career in the process.

There are unconfirmed rumours that a third man will join Cena and The Rock in their authority faction, with names such as Seth Rollins and Jey Uso rumoured to be turning heel to join the Brahma Bull.

The Rock has only made a handful of appearances on WWE TV since WrestleMania 40, firstly to hand Cody Rhodes a note on the RAW after WrestleMania.

Then, The Final Boss appeared at Bad Blood, and held up three fingers.

Following Bad Blood, he appeared at an episode of RAW, and episode of NXT and an episode of Smackdown before he shocked the world with Cena at Elimination Chamber.

SunSport can reveal if The Rock will appear at WrestleMania 41.

Is The Rock at WrestleMania 41?

The Rock is not currently scheduled to compete at WrestleMania 41, but his involvement in the build up to night 2’s main event suggests he may show up.

John Cena sold his soul to the Rock at Elimination Chamber, and will face Cody Rhodes in the main event of night 2.

Since his last match at WrestleMania 40, Dwayne Johnson has appeared more as an authority figure than an in-ring competitor.

Alongside his rumoured appearance with Cena, there are rumblings about who the third man in his authority faction may be, as he has teased that another person will sell their soul to him.

But, any appearance by The Rock at WrestleMania is yet unconfirmed, so he may not show up in Las Vegas at all.

President Donald Trump says the United States will “take a pass” on trying to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war if either Moscow or Kyiv makes it too difficult to end the conflict.

Trump was speaking after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented – following talks with European allies in Paris – that Washington would “move on” if a truce did not seem “doable” within days.

The US president refused on Friday to cast blame on either Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the February 2022 full-scale invasion of pro-Western Ukraine, or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. But he insisted both sides had to make progress.

“Now, if, for some reason, one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say: ‘You’re foolish. You’re fools. You’re horrible people’ – and we’re going to just take a pass,” Trump said.

“But, hopefully, we won’t have to do that.”

Rubio further suggested on Friday that Trump’s patience towards the negotiations is running thin.

“If it’s not possible, if we’re so far apart that this is not going to happen, then I think the president is probably at a point where he’s going to say, ‘Well, we’re done,’” he said.

Trump told reporters on Friday, however, that he did not want to say he was walking away from the talks. He said he still believes there is a good chance to end the conflict.

“It’s coming to a head right now,” he said.

US Vice President JD Vance also said he was “optimistic” a resolution could be reached, while speaking on a trip to Rome.

‘Trying to help’

Ukraine has agreed to a full temporary ceasefire and accused Russia of stalling on a deal to get a better negotiating position.

Putin last month rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for a full and unconditional pause in the conflict, while the Kremlin has made a truce in the Black Sea conditional on the West lifting certain sanctions.

When asked if Putin was stalling, Trump, who held direct talks with the Russian leader in February, said: “I hope not … I’ll let you know soon.”

Trump also denied he was being “played” by the former KGB agent, who denied Russia was going to invade right up until the eve of the attack.

“Nobody’s playing me, I’m trying to help,” Trump said.

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper published on Monday that it is “not easy” to agree on “key components” of a peace deal.

He did, however, concede that the Trump administration is trying to understand the “root cause” of the conflict, which he said was triggered by “the actions of Washington and Brussels” in having “brought the current regime to power in Ukraine”.

Fighting continues

Amid ceasefire negotiations, on the front line on Friday, a Russian missile strike killed one person in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, with a separate drone attack killing another person in the nearby city of Sumy.

At least five children were among dozens of people injured in Friday morning’s attack on Kharkiv that damaged 15 residential buildings, a business and an educational facility, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and emergency services.

Reporting from Kyiv, Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi said Russia also targeted Lviv, Dnipro, Mykolaiv and Kyiv.

“We saw multiple missile, drone, artillery and rocket attacks in cities across the country about 5am local time when curfews come to a close and people begin their daily lives,” he said.

“[In Kharkiv], civilian infrastructure was damaged, one person was killed, and 74 were injured. Of the 74, five were children,” Basravi reported.

President Zelenskyy said on Thursday that although Russia had seemingly scaled back its targeting of energy infrastructure, the overall volume of missile and drone attacks remained unchanged. It is striking Ukraine’s civilian sites instead, he added.

Russia has said it had hit “key drone production sites” and Ukrainian military airfields.

Moscow also warned on Friday of potential escalation if Germany proceeds with plans to send Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine. Speaking at the United Nations on Thursday, Russia’s ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, declared that such a move would mark Germany’s direct entry into the war.

“These countries are waging a war against Russia using their proxy forces,” he said. “Delivering Taurus missiles would be another step toward escalation.”

OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.

Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today. 

♈ ARIES

March 21 to April 20

Counting your recent successes, however small, is better than listing losses.

Your chart has a sense of progress, but it needs you to play your part.

So celebrate what makes you unique. Maybe you’ve looked away from cash concerns for a while, but giving finances attention today can be so rewarding.

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♉ TAURUS

April 21 to May 21

Here comes the sun – straight into your sign, and bringing a golden surge of good energy.

So try to step away from a too-strict set of demands, and simply relax.

A family bond may seem over-concerned with money – but something deeper is at play and now you see what this could be.

Luck waits by a white bridge.

♊ GEMINI

Setting yourself free from “should” and embracing “could” is the gift of the sun – and you are ready to run with this.

People close to you – or even strangers – may have made too many demands, and now you can break away from feeling you must help.

Your most thoughtful family member has a plan to delight you.

♋ CANCER

June 22 to July 22

Friendships, old and new, are in the star spotlight – as you realise you are more prepared to forgive than you first expect.

You can offer support, and show love, but still draw a line of respect around yourself that you refuse to cross.

Mars may shake loyalty, but sticking to a cash promise is non-negotiable.

Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♌ LEO

July 23 to August 23

It’s your time to shine with the sun at the top of your chart.

So many golden goals to choose from make for a challenging day, but your chart shows you how to go after it.

This can include an elusive Aries, who rarely seems to be in the same time zone. Special baking skills have celebrity potential.

Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♍ VIRGO

August 24 to September 22

Overnight, your horizons open up – and instead of writing off any offer of more specialised study, you can express your interest.

It’s strong, not weak, to admit what you don’t know – or don’t understand. You can set the pace here for a nostalgic team.

A hand-painted portrait can speak straight to your hidden heart.

Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♎ LIBRA

September 23 to October 23

The sun helps you shine a light of self-knowledge on recent actions – and you can see how to undo them, if you want to.

It’s not easy to apologise or explain but trust yourself to do it well.

In love? Simple down time together can be such a thrill. Single? The One is doing a one-time extra job today.

Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♏ SCORPIO

October 24 to November 22

Seeing only the best of relationships, committed and casual, is much easier now – plus you have the ability to speak before a silence gets too settled.

But loving someone else doesn’t mean ignoring your own needs – there is a balance there.

The moon helps you read faces, and respond in exactly the right way.

Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♐ SAGITTARIUS

November 23 to December 21

The Mars and Neptune team in your chart links creative ideas and travel – you may need to look further afield for the right home for your unique skills, but it is there.

If you’re in love, start by faking confidence, and soon it can be the real deal.

If you’re single, your soulmate is painting or taking pictures when you meet.

Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♑ CAPRICORN

December 22 to January 20

Music, dancing and frolics – this can be a day for all of these to find a space in your timetable.

When you need to choose between work and fun – choose fun.

Looking closer at a set of family items can reveal a legacy link.

Prize numbers can float into your mind when you close your eyes and concentrate.

Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

2

♒ AQUARIUS

January 21 to February 18

The part of yourself you prefer to keep hidden, can be shared today – especially at home.

If you’ve been feeling less than authentic, especially around someone younger, you can change this with just one word in a conversation.

A property search can heat up again when everyone tries harder to agree.

Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

♓ PISCES

February 19 to March 20

You can be a fireball of communication – lighting up any event, and expressing so well what others struggle to say.

But do beware of putting words into anybody’s mouth. Let them choose for themselves.

Friendship strands that go back a long way may have faded, but the spark can reignite at a last-minute event.

Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has stepped up his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the same time that the Supreme Court is considering a case that could make it easier for the president to fire him.

The developments are occurring against a backdrop of wider turmoil in the economy and financial markets, brought on by Trump’s sweeping taxes on imports. Most economists worry that an assault on the Fed’s longstanding independence from politics would further disrupt markets and add to the uncertainty enveloping the economy.

In comments at the White House on Thursday, Trump suggested he has the power to remove Powell and criticized him for not aggressively cutting interest rates.

“If I want him out, he’ll be out of there real fast, believe me,” Trump said. “I’m not happy with him.”

All the scrutiny threatens the Fed’s venerated independence, which has long been supported by most economists and Wall Street investors. Here are some questions and answers about the Fed.

Why does the Fed’s independence matter?

The Fed wields extensive power over the U.S. economy. By cutting the short-term interest rate it controls — which it typically does when the economy falters — the Fed can make borrowing cheaper and encourage more spending, accelerating growth and hiring. When it raises the rate — which it does to cool the economy and combat inflation — it can weaken the economy and cause job losses.

Economists have long preferred independent central banks because they can more easily take unpopular steps to fight inflation, such as raise interest rates, which makes borrowing to buy a home, car or appliance more expensive.

The importance of an independent Fed was cemented for most economists after the extended inflation spike of the 1970s and early 1980s. Former Fed Chair Arthur Burns has been widely blamed for allowing the painful inflation of that era to accelerate by succumbing to pressure from President Nixon to keep rates low heading into the 1972 election. Nixon feared higher rates would cost him the election, which he won in a landslide.

Paul Volcker was eventually appointed chair of the Fed in 1979 by President Carter, and he pushed the Fed’s short-term rate to the stunningly high level of nearly 20%. (It is currently 4.3%). The eye-popping rates triggered a sharp recession, pushed unemployment to nearly 11% and spurred widespread protests.

Yet Volcker didn’t flinch. By the mid-1980s, inflation had fallen back into the low single digits. Volcker’s willingness to inflict pain on the economy to throttle inflation is seen by most economists as a key example of the value of an independent Fed.

What do Wall Street investors think?

An effort to fire Powell would almost certainly cause stock prices to fall and bond yields to spike higher, pushing up interest rates on government debt and raising borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and credit card debt.

Most investors prefer an independent Fed, partly because it typically manages inflation better without being influenced by politics but also because its decisions are more predictable. Fed officials often publicly discuss how they would alter interest rate policies if economic conditions changed.

If the Fed was more swayed by politics, it would be harder for financial markets to anticipate — or understand — its decisions.

So does that mean the Fed is completely unaccountable?

Well, no. Fed chairs like Powell are appointed by the president to serve four-year terms, and have to be confirmed by the Senate. The president also appoints the six other members of the Fed’s governing board, who can serve staggered terms of up to 14 years, though most governors leave before the end of their terms.

Those appointments can allow a president over time to significantly alter the Fed’s policies. Former President Biden appointed five of the current seven members: Powell, Lisa Cook, Philip Jefferson, Adriana Kugler and Michael Barr. As a result, Trump will have fewer opportunities to make appointments. He will be able to replace Kugler, who filled an unexpired term ending Jan. 31, 2026.

Congress, meanwhile, can set the Fed’s goals through legislation. In 1977, for example, Congress gave the Fed a “dual mandate” to keep prices stable and seek maximum employment. The Fed defines stable prices as inflation at 2%.

The 1977 law also requires the Fed chair to testify before the House and Senate twice every year about the economy and interest rate policy.

But can the president fire Powell?

Powell says the law establishing the Fed does not allow a president to fire a chair except for cause. There is some complication in that Powell was separately appointed as a member of the Fed’s board of governors, and then elevated to the position of chair — by Trump, in 2017.

Most legal scholars agree that Trump can’t fire Powell from the Fed’s board of governors, but there is less agreement over whether a president can remove him as chair. In January, Michael Barr, who was vice chair for supervision, stepped down from that post but remained on the board to avoid a potential legal clash over whether Trump could fire him.

Should Trump try to fire Powell anyway, the ensuing fight would almost certainly end up at the Supreme Court.

What could the Supreme Court do?

We may get an early sign of how the Supreme Court would decide it this summer. There is already a case before the court on the issue of whether the president can fire top officials at independent agencies.

The case stems from Trump’s firings of two officials, one from the National Labor Relations Board and the other from an agency that protects workers from political interference. The Supreme Court last week let the firings stand while it considers the case. It could rule this summer that the president, as the head of the executive branch, could fire officials at any federal agency even if Congress had intended it to be independent.

The case would overturn a 90-year old precedent known as Humphrey’s Executor, in which the court ruled that the president couldn’t fire such officials.

Powell said Wednesday he is watching the case closely, adding that it might not apply to the Fed. Lawyers for the Trump administration, seeking to narrow the focus of the case, have argued that it doesn’t involve the Fed.

Both the Trump administration and the Supreme Court justices have carved out exemptions for the Fed before. In February, the White House issued an executive order that placed several financial regulatory agencies, including the Fed and the Securities and Exchange Commission, more directly under the president’s control. Yet the order specifically exempted the Fed’s ability to set interest rates from that order.

And in a case in 2023, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said in a footnote that the Fed is a “unique institution with a unique historical background” that made it different from other independent bodies. If the court does give presidents more power over the heads of independent agencies, it could potentially exempt the Fed.

Rugaber writes for the Associated Press.