Henry Golding revealed he has reconnected with several of his “Crazy Rich Asians” collaborators as the hit film, based on author Kevin Kwan’s book trilogy, gets a future on the little screen.

Golding, who starred as affluent heartthrob Nick Young in the 2018 film, told the “Today” show on Wednesday that he recently reunited with co-stars Awkwafina and Gemma Chan, on separate occasions, and discussed the series currently in development at Max. “Everyone is excited,” he said.

The “Snake Eyes” and “Another Simple Favor” actor said he met up with Awkwafina “the other night” and “not too long ago” reconnected with Chan and “Crazy Rich Asians” co-writer Adele Lim in London “to sort of discuss where we’re heading.”

“Crazy Rich Asians,” directed by Jon M. Chu and co-written by Lim and Peter Chiarelli, touted an all-Asian cast and was a watershed moment for underrepresented voices in Hollywood. The film made nearly $240 million worldwide on a budget of $30 million and paved the way for a sequel based off Kwan’s second book, “China Rich Girlfriend.”

In 2019, news broke that the “Crazy Rich Asians” sequel hit a significant roadblock as Lim exited the project over pay disparity. The status of the second film has been unclear since then, but it seems Lim will give “Crazy Rich Asians” another go. Warner Bros. Discovery is the parent company of both Max and Warner Bros. Pictures, which distributed the first film.

Lim is set to executive produce, write and serve as showrunner on the Warner Bros. Television project. Kwan and Chu (via his Electric Somewhere production banner) will both return as executive producers. Color Force’s Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson will also executive produce. It’s unclear where exactly the series will pick up, but it will be based off Kwan’s books.

The series is in early development with no casting deals in place, but Lim is keen on having original cast members return for the show, The Times has learned. In his “Today” interview, Golding did not confirm whether he was officially on board but said “we have so much runway to really share the world” of the “Crazy Rich Asians” franchise.

“I think we’re really excited to show more,” he said.

WASHINGTON — President Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. Customs and Border Protection is facing scrutiny for his role in an investigation into the death of a migrant who was brutally beaten by Border Patrol agents in 2010.

Critics allege Rodney Scott participated in a cover-up and is unqualified to lead the agency. His defenders say he acted appropriately and called him a fine choice to head one of the largest federal agencies with more than 60,000 employees, including the Border Patrol and agents at ports of entry.

Rodney Scott, who led the U.S. Border Patrol until 2021, faced questions about the death from senators Wednesday during a Senate Finance Committee hearing to consider his nomination.

“Today’s hearing is to determine whether Rodney Scott possesses that experience, along with the strength of character to be trusted with one of the most essential jobs in government,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “The evidence shows that he falls short.”

Scott was acting deputy chief patrol agent of the San Diego Border Patrol Sector when agents preparing to deport Anastasio Hernández Rojas beat and tased him in a walkway at the San Ysidro Port of Entry until he stopped breathing, court records show. He died in a hospital two days later, leaving behind a wife and five children.

Federal officials said Hernández Rojas, 42, fought with the agents attempting to remove him from the country.

Last week Wyden sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security seeking documents related to the death and investigation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s response Tuesday did not include documents. She called Wyden’s “uninformed” account of Scott’s alleged role in the investigation “infuriating and offensive.”

Noem said Scott was not at the scene when the incident occurred, had limited involvement with an internal investigative team that reviewed the case, and didn’t impede external investigations or conceal facts.

“No less than seven local and federal investigatory bodies reviewed the circumstances of Mr. Hernández Rojas’ death, and none found evidence of actions that were inconsistent with law, regulation, or policy,” Noem wrote.

Roxanna Altholz, director of the Human Rights Clinic at UC Berkeley Law, which represents the family of Hernández Rojas, said in a statement that the family has never received a full accounting of how the investigation was handled.

“His family has spent years asking the same question: How can 17 agents of the nation’s largest law enforcement agency, Customs and Border Protection, beat to death a man in public in front of dozens of eyewitnesses on videotape without consequence?” she wrote.

In 2017, the government settled a federal lawsuit with Hernández Rojas’ family for $1 million.

In a landmark decision Wednesday, an international human rights commission found that the U.S. is responsible for Hernández Rojas’ killing and that a cover-up followed. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights — an autonomous judicial body within the Organization of American States — called on the U.S. to reopen the criminal investigation of the agents involved.

During the hearing, Wyden called out Noem for not producing the documents he requested.

“The secretary responded with a letter that said Mr. Scott was basically a perfect angel and all the allegations against him are false, but produced zero documents that I requested to back it up,” Wyden said. “In the first 100 days of this administration it seems like this agency is practically allergic to the truth.”

Before Wednesday’s hearing, James Wong, a former deputy assistant commissioner of CBP’s office of internal affairs, wrote to Wyden with concern about Scott’s handling of Hernandez Rojas’ death.

Units known as critical incident teams (CIT), which were disbanded in 2022, investigated use-of-force incidents in the Border Patrol. They were “designed to mitigate liability for Border Patrol senior management and to present Border Patrol in the best possible light,” Wong wrote.

The team used an administrative subpoena, which Scott signed, to obtain Hernández Rojas’ medical records. Wong said that “was blatantly unlawful” because “such subpoenas should only be used for the very limited purpose of examining imports and exports, not for the collection of medical evidence or to search a premises.”

“By virtue of his position, Mr. Scott would have overseen all CIT operations on the case and all CIT information would have filtered through him to CBP headquarters,” Wong wrote. “This was not an investigation, it was a cover-up — one Mr. Scott supervised.”

Noem, in her letter to Wyden, wrote that “Mr. Scott’s signature, and the execution of the administrative subpoena he signed, were consistent with law and agency policy.”

According to court records, officials at the scene erased photos and videos from witnesses’ phones. The critical incident team declined to give San Diego police Hernández Rojas’ medical records. Footage of the scene was written over with new recordings.

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) asked Scott whether he did “anything in that case to interfere with the investigation.”

“Absolutely not,” Scott replied.

Wyden also took issue with other incidents in Scott’s past, saying he has not learned from his mistakes.

One of those was Scott’s membership in a private Facebook group for Border Patrol agents with more than 9,000 members that contained racist and sexually violent posts.

Wyden also cited Scott’s response to a former Border Patrol agent and survivor of sexual assault who posted criticism of Scott on X.

Scott responded with a post of his own:

“I investigated all your allegations. Not a crumb of evidence could be found to support any of them. But I did find out a lot about you. Lean back, close your eyes and just enjoy the show.”

A judge called Scott’s post “a classic rape threat” but found it fell short of being an imminent threat of violence.

Scott defended his record, saying he has been transparent throughout his career. He said he apologized to the former agent for his post, calling it “a weak moment” that wasn’t meant to be threatening.

“Everybody makes mistakes,” he said. “I believe the ones I’ve made were very minor. We learn from them and move forward.”

The Biden administration forced Scott out of his role at Border Patrol in 2021 after he objected to directives to stop using terms such as “illegal alien.”

On Wednesday, both Democrats and Republicans congratulated Scott on his nomination. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) suggested that the attempt to prevent his nomination from moving forward wouldn’t succeed.

“I apologize for the smear campaign,” he told Scott.

Scott’s nomination hearing comes as Republicans advance budget legislation in the House and Senate that would provide billions of dollars to CBP. Illegal border crossings have plummeted over the last few months, federal data show.

The Trump administration eliminated many internal oversight bodies in Homeland Security, including the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, which investigated allegations of wrongdoing.

ZARA McDermott gets the lip seal of approval from Louis Tomlinson’s sisters.

The Strictly star, 28, now dating the ex-1D singer, 33, posted a pouty selfie in London.

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It got love-heart and kissy feedback from Lottie and Phoebe Tomlinson.

Zara and Louis went public with their relationship in March, weeks after her split from long-term boyfriend Sam Thompson.

The Love Island beauty and Sam had been together for five years before ending things at the end of 2024.

Zara and Louis’ romance became public after they were seen enjoying a dinner and overnight stay at The Suffolk in Aldeburgh in The Sun’s exclusive photos.

It came amid reports that Zara had formed close bonds with Louis’ sisters Phoebe and Daisy.

Phoebe is a young mum, while Daisy is dating footballer Ryan Viggar.

The pair share a combined 2.4 million followers on social media and modelled for brands including PrettyLittleThing and Boux Avenue.

The 21-year-old twins recently teased a new reality show, with sources claiming Zara has been helping them behind the scenes thanks to her experience as a TV presenter and documentary maker.

Louis and Zara confirmed their romance after they were seen snogging in Malibu.

The pair were also snapped holding hands in a sweet PDA during their trip to the US.

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There was an air of inevitability as Chelsea rocked up in Manchester on Wednesday night.

To say they were preparing to win their sixth successive WSL title would be wrong. Bompastor admitted they had not entertained the idea that Arsenal would drop points at Aston Villa, in turn opening the door for Chelsea.

Instead, this was a group of wounded animals, still bruised from their Champions League semi-final humiliation on Sunday and keen to put it right.

When word of Arsenal’s 5-2 defeat at Aston Villa eventually spread through the stands at Leigh Sports Village, Chelsea’s routine did not falter.

Bompastor stood arms folded, watching on as the players warmed up, acting as if they had no indication what was happening elsewhere.

This was Chelsea in their usual, ruthless mood, preparing to get the job done.

It was a stark contrast to the outpouring of emotion that came from the stands 90 minutes later when they were crowned champions again.

Supporters were so sure of victory when Lucy Bronze headed in the game’s only goal in the 74th minute, that they sang “Chelsea, champions” on repeat until the end.

Chelsea, as they have done so often this season, left it late to break the deadlock but did what needed to be done, even when they were not playing their best.

“Mentality monsters” has been their tag in recent times and they leant on that numerous times again this season.

Of their total goals scored, 33% of them came in the final 15 minutes of matches – more than any other WSL team.

They also picked up eight points after coming from behind in games – only Manchester City have earned more from losing positions.

Essentially, it was always Chelsea’s title to lose – they had won the previous five WSL trophies, had the biggest budget in the league and invested further in the transfer window.

Their spending has been unmatched – but that is why they are champions. The chasing pack walked, as Chelsea ran, bouyed by their invincible mentality.

When Hayes stepped down, Chelsea recruited one of the best coaches in Europe, snatching Bompastor from French giants Lyon.

When they were pushed to the brink last season by Manchester City, winning their fifth successive title on goal difference, they responded by signing Champions League winners Bronze and Keira Walsh from Barcelona.

They bounced back from a defeat at Manchester City in the Champions League to beat them days later in the league, and scored a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool to book their place in the Women’s FA Cup final.

They have built a squad capable of challenging on all domestic fronts and they remain on course to win the Treble this season, with two trophies already in the bag.

Is the gap widening between Chelsea and everybody else in the WSL? Their points tally and unbeaten season suggests it is.

Arsenal and Manchester United showed their credentials in spells. But the difference has always been that Chelsea still win when they are vulnerable.

April 30 (UPI) — A Maine Republican state legislator is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow her to vote again after her colleagues censured her for comments against transgender athletes.

State Rep. Laurel Libby is seeking an emergency injunction to block Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau’s declaration that Libby cannot speak on the floor or vote until she recants her view. Fecteau is a Democrat.

She wants a decision before the House next convenes on May 6.

Her request, which was filed Monday, first will go to Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, because she hears cases from the 1st Circuit. The matter can be referred to the full nine justices.

Libby is not disputing the censure, which was backed by the Democratic-led House, which voted 75-70 along party lines in March. She wants her voting rights restored in the House.

“This means her thousands of constituents in Maine House District 90 are now without a voice or vote for every bill coming to the House floor for the rest of her elected term, which runs through 2026,” Libby’s Consovoy McCarthy law firm wrote in the 49-page application to the high court obtained by CNN. “They are disenfranchised.”

Also, Libby and several constituents are suing Fecteau and the state House clerk for violation of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, regarding equal state legislative representation.

“For over 60 days, my constituents have had no say in actions taken by their government, actions that directly impact their lives,” Libby said in a news release. “Every vote taken on the floor of the legislature is a vote my constituents cannot get back. The good people of our district have been silenced and disenfranchised.”

Libby’s request for an injunction was denied Friday by District Judge Melissa DuBois and Monday by the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals pending appeal.

“Respondents here invoke immunity so they can continue to silence debate, disenfranchise a lawfully elected member of the House, and deny equal representation to her constituents,” her attorneys wrote.

Three other legislators have been censured in Maine’s 200-year history with none having votes banned.

In her Facebook post on Feb. 17, Libby wrote: “I am a believer of equality, but we can’t always have everything we want in life. Trans women competing against biological women may just be one of those things.”

She included the name and photo of the transgender girl, who competed as a boy the year prior, and won the championship in girls’ pole vault.

On Feb. 5, President Donald Trump signed an executive order called Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports..

At a meeting of governors at the White House on Feb. 21, Trump singled out Maine Gov. Janet Mills for not conforming to the executive order.

“We’re going to follow the law, sir. We’ll see you in court,” Mills said to the president, referencing the Maine Human Rights Act. This law, amended four years prior, includes gender identity as a protected class.

This month, U.S. Department of Agriculture has paused funds for certain programs and the U.S. Department of Justice has sued, alleging Title IX violations over Trump’s order on trans athletesvin women’s sports.

Trans people appear to have no advantage in sports, according to an October 2023 review of 2017 research published in the journal Sports Medicine.

The move comes after survivors and relatives of victims of apartheid-era crimes launched a court case against Ramaphosa’s government.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an inquiry to establish whether previous governments led by his party intentionally blocked investigations and prosecutions of apartheid-era crimes, taking a step that survivors and families of those who were killed had demanded for decades.

The landmark move will address allegations of “improper influence in delaying or hindering” investigations levelled against post-apartheid governments led by the African National Congress (ANC) party, Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement on Wednesday.

“President Ramaphosa appreciates the anguish and frustration of the families of victims, who have fought for so many years for justice,” Ramaphosa’s office said.

The president’s announcement of a judicial commission of inquiry came after 25 survivors and relatives of victims of apartheid-era crimes launched a court case against his government in January, seeking damages.

They alleged that successive South African governments since the late 1990s had failed to properly investigate unresolved killings, disappearances and other crimes during the time of forced racial segregation despite recommendations made by the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The commission was set up in 1996 by then-President Nelson Mandela under the chairmanship of fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu.

Its mission was to expose and record apartheid-era crimes and give some of those responsible an opportunity to confess their role, including members of the apartheid government’s state security forces that were implicated in many killings.

The ANC was the organisation at the forefront of the battle against the system of white minority rule and led South Africa to democracy when apartheid ended in 1994. But ANC-led governments since then have been criticised by some for prioritising national reconciliation ahead of justice for victims.

One of the most prominent unresolved cases is that of the Cradock Four, a group of Black anti-apartheid activists who were abducted and murdered by security forces in 1985. Their bodies were burned and security officers were suspected of torturing them.

No one has been prosecuted for the killings, and the circumstances of the deaths have never been fully revealed. These are among the thousands of crimes during apartheid where victims and families still haven’t seen justice.

Lukhanyo Calata, whose father Fort was one of the Cradock Four, is part of the group that took the current South African government to court in January.

Calata said at the start of that court case that successive South African governments since the administration of President Thabo Mbeki from 1999-2008 had failed to act on the commission’s recommendations and had denied victims and their families justice.

He and other relatives say that government ministers intervened to prevent the investigation and prosecution of crimes.

Scott Mills and Rylan return to host the Grand Final on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, backing UK entry Remember Monday who will perform in Basel, Switzerland

Eurovision fever is officially hitting the airwaves once again as BBC Radio 2 gears up for an all-out takeover of the 2025 Song Contest, broadcasting straight from the heart of Switzerland.

The station is pulling out all the stops, with fan-favourites Scott Mills, Rylan, and Richie Anderson leading the charge – and this year, they’re joined by Radio 2 staple Sara Cox, who’s jumping back into the Eurovision madness with gusto.

Scott and Rylan will be back behind the mics for the Grand Final, delivering live commentary on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. Having first teamed up for coverage in Liverpool 2023 and again in Malmö 2024, they’re no strangers to the glitter and drama of Eurovision.

This year, they’ll be rallying behind the UK’s hopefuls, Remember Monday, as the trio takes to the stage with their entry, What The Hell Just Happened?

As seasoned veterans of Eurovision, Scott and Rylan are ready to bring listeners everything from green room gossip to emotional anthems. And in a moving tradition, the duo will once again raise a toast to the late, great Sir Terry Wogan just before the ninth act performs – honouring the legacy of the broadcaster who helped make Eurovision magic for generations of fans.

Meanwhile, the excitement begins long before Saturday night. Scott is taking The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on the road, broadcasting live from Basel all week, while Richie Anderson explores the Swiss city, capturing the atmosphere and diving into the local flavour.

Sara Cox and Richie will be on hand for the Semi-Finals, airing live on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, while Scott and Rylan handle the TV coverage on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Expect banter, backstage stories, and plenty of sparkle.

As Eurovision Saturday (May 17th) arrives, the station transforms into a nonstop party. From morning till night, Radio 2 will be all Eurovision, all the time – with guests and listener shoutouts. And for the die-hard fans, Michelle Visage will count down Your Ultimate 21st Century Eurovision Song, revealing the UK’s Top 40 favourites from the past two decades.

Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas says: “We know how passionate our audience is about Eurovision, so we’re thrilled to once again be their go-to destination. From the build-up through to the big night itself – and all things Basel in between – we’ve got it covered.”

Scott adds: “Rylan’s been secretly rehearsing every routine from all 37 acts – he’s taking this very seriously. We’re backing Remember Monday all the way. If they crack the Top 5, I’ve promised matching tattoos! And to take my breakfast show abroad for the first time, and for Eurovision no less, is honestly a dream.”

Rylan is ready to take on Basel, saying: “It’s that time again, baby! I’m back with my Eurovision soulmate Scott Mills – and yes, we’ll be screaming support for our girls, Remember Monday. I’ve heard they were warned not to party with me, but I’ve got a feeling I can lure Richie and Sara to EuroClub!”

Sara’s buzzing too: “Can’t wait to get stuck into the joyful chaos that is Eurovision – bring on the colour, the costumes, and the good vibes.” And Richie reflects on his Eurovision journey: “Commentating alongside Sara is surreal – before Malmö, I even listened to her old commentary for tips.

“This is my fourth Eurovision, but it’s still as magical as when I watched Gina G in ‘96 at my Auntie Jackie’s house. It’s pure joy, and I’m so proud to bring that energy to Radio 2 listeners.”

The climactic Grand Final, broadcast live from St. Jakobshalle in Basel, will see 26 nations competing for glory – 20 qualifiers from the Semi-Finals, the Big Five, and last year’s winners Switzerland. Each act gets just three minutes to win the hearts of juries and voters around the world, with the ‘rest of the world’ vote making a comeback.

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READ MORE: Rochelle Humes’ chic £40 linen trousers are a must-have for spring and summer

A WOMAN is fighting for her life after being knifed in the stomach outside an office.

The victim, in her 40s, was stabbed at around 9.15am on April 30 at a building in Whiteley, Hampshire.

She was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to cops.

Police arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder after the attack unfolded.

The suspect, from Southsea, was also taken to hospital.

He was treated for an injury under the supervision of officers.

A police spokesperson said: “We were called at 9.15am to reports of a woman being stabbed at an office building.

“On arrival, a woman in her 40s was located with stab wounds to her abdomen.

“She has been taken to hospital for treatment, her injuries are described as life threatening.

“A 37-year-old man from Southsea has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

“He has been taken to hospital to be treated for an injury but remains with officers.”

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BRITAIN basked yesterday in the hottest day of the year so far — but one market town still had its Christmas lights up.

Temperatures hit 28C in London and the South East, and 25C in the Midlands.

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Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland largely topped 20C too — on a par with holiday hotspots such as Ibiza and Benidorm.

Today is set to be hotter still, peaking at 30C and giving us the hottest start to May on record.

Meanwhile, streets in Ramsey, Cambs, remain bedecked with unlit fairy lights four months after the festive period ended.

A golden crown decorates council offices, there are shooting stars on lamp posts, and a large Merry Christmas sign at the library.

The volunteer-run Christmas light committee says its hasn’t got the money for a cherry picker to get them down.

Ex-chairman Lisa Renfree said: “The committee runs on a very tight budget and tries to keep the costs down so it can use the money on the actual decorations.

“If they don’t have to pay out for a cherry picker, which is expensive to hire, they can spend more money on lights for the residents to enjoy.”

Decorations are traditionally removed on Twelfth Night, early in January, and it is considered bad luck to leave them up longer.

Deputy chair of the committee Jade Aubin said they hope to remove the lights this weekend.

Elsewhere families flocked to beaches, parks and riversides.

Sunseekers found balmy Bournemouth a great spot for selfies while Pontefract, West Yorks, was a double for the Dutch thanks to tulips and a mini-windmill.

Two year old Rowan Walton has fun building sandcastles at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside.

And trippers enjoyed a cooling dip at Brighton’s pebble beach.

Today’s temperature could top the 27.4C May 1 record set in Lossiemouth, in Moray, Scotland in 1990.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “It will be the warmest day of the week. Overnight temperatures will also be very high in places. It’s possible national and station records for daytime and overnight temperatures may be broken.

“The far North will always see cooler conditions, with these more seasonal temperatures likely spreading erratically south later in the week.”

Temperatures will gradually start to fall over the Bank Holiday weekend to around average on Monday.

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Fox News filed a motion for summary judgment Tuesday, attacking voting machine company Smartmatic’s demand for $2.7 billion in damages in its defamation suit against the conservative-leaning news channel.

In 2023, Fox News paid $787.5 million to settle a separate defamation suit filed by Dominion Voting Systems over its reporting on President Trump’s false claims of election fraud in 2020. But “Smartmatic is not Dominion,” according to the Fox News legal team.

Fox News’ filing in New York Supreme Court says the network’s coverage of Trump’s false election fraud allegations did not hurt Smartmatic’s business.

The Boca Raton, Fla.-based Smartmatic, which does business in 40 countries, countered that Fox News’ conduct has cost 100 people their jobs at the company and billions of dollars in asset value. The company filed its defamation suit in 2021.

But Fox News argued that Smartmatic already had a poor reputation, saying the company provided election services to a “corrupt regime in Venezuela for more than a decade” and “has always faced difficulties finding governments willing to work with it.”

“While Smartmatic claims scores of lost contract opportunities, there is no evidence that Fox News’s coverage caused a single former, existing or potential customer to refuse to do business with Smartmatic,” the court filing said.

Eric Connolly, an attorney representing Smartmatic, called Fox’s argument “a deflection.”

“This is exactly the kind of tactic you expect from an abuser,” Connolly said in a statement. “Rather than take responsibility, they try to blame the victim. They are attacking Smartmatic to distract from the central issue: they defamed the company and caused serious harm.”

Smartmatic was frequently mentioned when Trump’s lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell appeared as guests on Fox News and Fox Business Network programs in late 2020 and spread Trump’s erroneous charges that voting machines were rigged to throw the election to Joe Biden.

While Smartmatic was often mentioned in the Fox News coverage, the company was barely involved in the 2020 election. Smartmatic equipment was only used in Los Angeles County and in none of the swing states that decided the outcome, a fact that was communicated to Fox News at the time.

Fox News argued that reporting on allegations made by a sitting president and his lawyers was newsworthy and protected by the 1st Amendment. Many of those false claims were amplified by pro-Trump Fox News commentators such as Jeanine Pirro and Maria Bartiromo on their programs and through social media.

Smartmatic’s motion said Fox News journalists, hosts and executives — including Rupert Murdoch — acknowledged in private and in court depositions that they knew Trump’s claims were false. They continued to air them nonetheless to placate their conservative viewers, the motion added, showing reckless disregard for the truth.

“Their own fact-checking efforts disproved the accusation,” Smartmatic’s court filing said. “They also believed guests appearing on their shows to discuss the accusation were nuts, crazy and unreliable.”

Fox News’ court filing indicates that if the case goes to trial, the defense is likely to flood the zone with documentation of Smartmatic’s other legal problems over a number of years.

Smartmatic President Roger Piñate and two other employees were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice in August for allegedly making illegal payments to a former Philippines elections commissioner in order to get its voting machines and services used in the country’s 2016 election.

Smartmatic has said that the case had nothing to do with voter fraud.

Earlier this year, Smartmatic settled a defamation lawsuit against right-wing outlet Newsmax, which also gave a platform to Trump’s falsehoods and did not acknowledge that Biden was president-elect for more than a month after the election was called.

With the Lakers, Clippers and Kings all one loss from summer vacation, the sporting eyes of Los Angeles turn to the Dodgers.

If you’ve been busy watching the NBA and NHL playoffs, let us catch you up on the Dodgers. After a start so good that folks giddily wondered if the Dodgers could win every game, and after a couple of runs so bad that the Dodgers twice fell into third place in the National League West, the opening month is over and the verdict is in: The Dodgers are who we thought they are.

They are in first place, in the toughest division in the major leagues. They have 21 victories, the most by any Dodgers team at the end of April since their streak of annual postseason appearances started in 2013. They are on pace to win 110 games, and their odds of making the playoffs stand at 98.3%, according to Baseball Prospectus.

There are 29 major league teams that start the season hoping to advance to the playoffs, and then there are the Dodgers, who start planning for October in March. For all the angst about the Dodgers’ injured pitchers, well, that is all part of the plan.

The Dodgers awoke Wednesday with 13 pitchers on the injured list, the most of any major league team, matching the combined total of the rest of the NL West. They have 32 pitchers under control: on the active roster, on a minor league option, on the injured list, or on two-way status (Shohei Ohtani, who is expected to resume pitching later this season).

They do not try to find five starting pitchers and ride them all season. They do try to end up with five healthy and effective starters for the postseason, and they try to maximize their chances to do that by collecting as many pitchers as they can, with the support of an ownership group willing to pay players to rehabilitate.

No one pitched more innings last season than Gavin Stone, at 140. In 2013, Clayton Kershaw pitched 259 innings, including the postseason.

However, as the Dodgers have become acutely aware of managing the workloads of their starting pitchers, they have not prioritized managing the workloads of their key position players.

The Dodgers have the oldest group of position players in the majors, and the sustained success means extra weeks on the schedule every year.

Over the past five years, Mookie Betts has 205 postseason at-bats and Freddie Freeman 175. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees has 119 and, among NL West rivals, Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks has 66 and Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres has 48.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team has discussed that issue, but mostly in regard to catching. Will Smith had 105 at-bats last April and 76 this April; backup Austin Barnes had 21 at-bats last April and 32 this April (and he is batting .250 this April, 27 points above his career average).

Among other position players, Roberts said, “I don’t know if that tax of playing an extra month is necessarily a disadvantage for the following season.”

The Dodgers’ renowned research and development department has not done a deep dive into that question, according to president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.

“So much of our focus is on pitching,” Friedman said, “and, after a long season, what the offseason program looks like, what the ramp-up looks like, what the season looks like. I don’t worry about it that much on the position player front.”

While “load management” is established in the NBA lexicon, Roberts said he is less concerned in baseball because the postseason features more off days than the regular season, including nearly a week off after the regular season if your team is one of the top two seeds in each league.

“They’re actually more antsy and rested than we would actually like,” Roberts said. “It’s a tricky one.

“To give Freddie Freeman off days to say that you’re managing his workload, I think it just makes some people feel better that they’ll be ready for the postseason. There’s no correlation. And it’s not an exact science.”

Freeman said the Dodgers do manage his workload, but not always with days off. On Tuesday night, with the Dodgers enjoying a big lead, Freeman was removed after six innings.

“They do such a good job of load management here,” said the 35-year-old Freeman, “and I’m reluctantly to starting to get on board with it as I get older.

“I ingrained in myself that I get paid to do a job and I do my job. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around, ‘You’re not doing your job today.’ ”

On Wednesday, Freeman homered, singled and drove in two runs. The Dodgers again ran up the lead, and again they removed him after six innings.

Barcelona and Inter Milan shared a compelling 3-3 draw in a high-octane Champions League semifinal first leg clash.

The Italian side raced to a two-goal lead on Wednesday with superb strikes from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries, before the unstoppable Lamine Yamal pulled Barca back into it with a sublime solo effort.

Ferran Torres levelled for the five-time champions and, although Inter nosed ahead through Dumfries again, a Yann Sommer own goal left the tie on a knife-edge at the halfway stage.

Inter were desperately hoping Thuram would be fit to play after a thigh injury, and he showed precisely why, scoring the fastest-ever Champions League semifinal goal after 30 seconds.

Barcelona’s Copa del Rey final-winning goalscorer Jules Kounde hacked a poor clearance to the edge of the box, and Inter capitalised.

Dutch wideman Dumfries aimed a low cross towards Thuram and Inigo Martinez slipped at just the wrong time, allowing the France striker room to finish with an impudent back-heel flick.

Quadruple-chasing Barcelona seized control and pushed forward, roared on by a nervous 50,000-strong Olympic stadium crowd.

Yamal, on his 100th Barcelona appearance, appealed for a penalty after he was shoved by Alessandro Bastoni and then set up Torres, who fired wide.

The Spaniard, standing in for Barca’s injured top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski, lashed a volley narrowly off target.

Against the run of play Inter, whose treble hopes crumbled after three consecutive domestic defeats prior, scored their second, with another fine finish.

Francesco Acerbi nodded on a corner, and Dumfries reached the dropping ball first to score with a stunning acrobatic effort.

Barcelona teams over the past few years may have crumbled, but Hansi Flick’s youthful side are not burdened by the series of European failures since they last won the competition in 2015.

Least of all teenage wizard Yamal, who pulled Barcelona back into the game just three minutes later with a wonderful individual goal that made him the youngest player ever to score in the semis.

On the eve of the game, the Spaniard rejected comparisons to all-time Barca great Lionel Messi, but his goal was straight from the Argentinian’s playbook.

Yamal shook off Thuram, floated inside from the right flank and past Henrikh Mkhitaryan into the box, drawing defenders towards him, but before they could stop him, stroked an inch-perfect shot in off the left post.

Minutes later, Yamal nearly repeated the trick. This time, he darted outside, pausing to let Federico Dimarco lunge past him and off the pitch.

From a tight angle, the youngster flashed a shot that Sommer tipped onto the crossbar.

High on confidence, Yamal set up further chances for Torres and Dani Olmo that went begging, before Barca pulled level.

Pedri hooked a ball into the area for Raphinha to head across goal and Torres to convert from close range after 38 breathless minutes.

Kounde limped off before half-time in a blow for Barca, who also replaced the inexperienced Gerard Martin with Ronald Araujo at the break.

Dimarco hammered over early in the second half, before Simone Inzaghi hooked him, having suffered a torrid night up against the relentless Yamal.

Inter took the sting out of the game early in the second half and then sucker-punched Barca, scoring from another corner, with Dumfries’s header bouncing in off Olmo.

Barcelona equalised within two minutes, with Yamal stepping over a corner on the edge of the box, allowing it to run to Raphinha.

The Brazilian’s rasping effort smashed against the crossbar and then in, off the back of the unfortunate diving Sommer’s head.

Pau Cubarsi made a vital recovery tackle to stop Thuram after he got in behind Barcelona’s high line, and Mkhitaryan had a goal ruled out for an extremely tight offside.

Yamal looped a second strike onto the crossbar late on, but the sides could not be separated.

The second leg takes place in Milan next Tuesday, with the winner to face Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal on May 31 in the Munich final.

Islamabad asks the United States to help ease tensions with New Delhi after receiving ‘credible intelligence’ of an imminent strike.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged India and Pakistan to work with each other to de-escalate tensions after last week’s attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, according to the US Department of State.

In separate calls with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday, Rubio expressed support to India in combating “terrorism” and urged Pakistan to cooperate in probing the attack, the State Department said.

Sharif’s office said in a statement that the Pakistani leader urged Washington to press India to “dial down the rhetoric and act responsibly”.

He also expressed regret that India had chosen to “weaponise water” by stepping away from the Indus Waters Treaty, which does not permit unilateral withdrawal from its commitments governing river flows in disputed Kashmir.

The call came after Islamabad claimed to have “credible intelligence” that India was planning to attack it within 24-36 hours, in retaliation for the killing of 26 men in last week’s deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

India has moved to punish Pakistan after accusing it of backing the attack in the Kashmiri town of Pahalgam, which Islamabad denies, driving tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals to their highest point since a suicide car bombing in 2019.

New Delhi shut its airspace to Pakistani airlines, the government said on Wednesday, days after Islamabad banned Indian airlines from flying over its territory. The ban on Pakistani aircraft will be in effect from April 30 to May 23, according to a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) issued by the government.

Indian and Pakistani troops have exchanged small-arms fire over the past six nights, which New Delhi says was initiated by the Pakistani side across their de facto border running through Kashmir. No casualties were reported.

Hindu-majority India accuses Pakistan of funding and encouraging armed groups in Kashmir, a Himalayan territory claimed in its entirety by both nations but ruled in part by each of them. Islamabad says it only provides moral and diplomatic support to a Kashmiri demand for self-determination.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in separate phone calls with India and Pakistan officials, stressed the need to “avoid a confrontation that could result in tragic consequences”.

Britain has also called for calm between its Indian and Pakistani communities, and advised against all travel to Jammu and Kashmir – India’s official name for the territory – with few exceptions.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.

Ousmane Dembele struck after just four minutes with a superb first-time finish to give the French side the advantage to take back to the Parc des Princes next week.

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In the latest episode of Tactics Exposed, SunSport’s Dean Scoggins ran the rule over the Emirates clash – and picked out five key tactical talking points…

The match went the way I was expecting – I thought PSG were the better side and their plan came off better.

But we shouldn’t overlook the missing Thomas Partey factor – he will be big in the second leg.

Both goalkeepers made great saves.

The last ten minutes were key: if PSG took one of those late chances, we would be talking about a real, real uphill struggle for Arsenal.

The Gunners stayed in it, created chances of their own and it was a great watch.

1. OU LA LA

I said in the preview Tactics Exposed show one of the midfielders would drop into defence, Achraf Hakimi would go out, Nuno Mendes pushed out and they drew the press before Dembele dropped deep to collect the ball, turn and go.

They did it four or five times and it wasn’t until half-time that Arsenal worked it out.

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Having Declan Rice and Mikel Merino dragged out allowed space for the false No9 to come in between and receive the ball in areas where he can’t be marked – Dembele was brilliant in the first half.

Someone – either William Saliba or Jakub Kiwior – needs to go out with Dembele, he can’t be given the freedom of the Emirates in midfield.

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Then with the goal, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia holds the width but Jurrien Timber stays narrow before squaring him up on the edge of the area.

Declan Rice goes and doubles up, Saliba is free but Merino gets back into the box before the shot – but the Spaniard doesn’t occupy the space Rice vacated.

Rice is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t – Merino is the one who doesn’t do the midfielder’s job and cover.

Dembele’s little side-step to his left was genius, too.

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2. TIMBERRRR!

Timber had a really tough night and committed four fouls in the first 20 minutes and didn’t get a yellow card.

The referee was very poor for both teams and didn’t help the game as a spectacle.

PSG force you to isolate full-backs with wingers – do you go and engage or hold off?

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It wasn’t just Timber’s fault because PSG’s midfield make a diamond shape and Arsenal’s midfield weren’t sure who was supposed to block the lane.

After those fouls, Bukayo Saka did a great job of screening, coming in off the touchline to help out but that also meant Saka was not in the position he wants to be when Arsenal won the ball back.

Of Arsenal’s attacks, 44 per cent came down the right-hand side, but only ten per cent of their shots came from that channel.

PSG starved Saka in the position he likes to pick up because Timber was struggling.

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3. UN PETIT FRERE

Vitinha was absolutely fantastic.

At any level of football from grassroots to elite, you can see when a midfielder runs the game at their pace and for the first 30 minutes at least, Vatinha did that.

If he wanted to slow it down, he did. If he wanted to hit Arsenal quickly, bang, they were on the attack.

Vitinha actually had a similar number of touches as the anonymous Martin Odegaard but it was the areas he got the ball and acting as the bounce man.

In the build-up to the goal, he got his body in the way to ping the ball back to the defence and that sort of play is unbelievable.

It was like PSG had 12 men.

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When they are three at the back, with three Arsenal men pressing, he makes it four for a 4v3.

Then he moves into midfield, Arsenal drop into a 4-4-2 shape out of possession and he makes it a five in midfield for PSG.

Then when they attack, there are five going forward with only forward with only four defenders and he is the one joining in.

He is the overload man in all three areas and was the best player on the pitch, especially in the first half.

Vitinha joins the play up. He is a genius.

He is like Alexis Mac Allister on the ball and Dominik Szoboszlai off the ball.

Arsenal need to work out how to get hold of him in the second leg.

4. ODE OH DEAR

I’m not sure what has been going on with Odegaard for the last ten or 12 games – his level has really dropped off.

He relies on Saka stretching the game to give him space which I’ve already explained was not the case but he had a really off night on the biggest night of the season.

Arsenal have leaders all over the pitch but for me, Rice should be captain.

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Odegaard got the press wrong against PSG, the team follow his trigger and he has been brilliant at it for years and it’s how Arsenal can set up in a 4-4-2 out of possession.

But on Tuesday he kept going at the wrong time because Vitinha was dragging him into positions he didn’t want to be in which opened spaces up in midfield – which is where the goal came from.

Odegaard was getting stuck in a half No8, half No10 role and it was epitomised by the Bradley Barcola chance.

5. RAYA HOPE

The save from Desire Doue when he got down low to his right… incredible stop.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made two world-class saves at the other end but Raya was crucial for Arsenal.

What he also did was take pretty much all their free-kicks in their own half right up to the halfway line – it was almost old school sending it long.

People may criticise the long-ball tactic but it was the right tactic because PSG were vulnerable with the diagonal long ball and the bouncing ball which came from Raya’s excellent distribution.

It forced chances, they could have scored and it also led to corners where we know Arsenal are dangerous.

Aside from that, Arsenal carried the ball really well and got out of positions well to feed Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Myles Lewis-Skelly was excellent again, his one-v-one defending and duels are as good as anyone I’ve seen for years in that position.

Hakimi got very little joy in duels against him and where Timber could not work out what to do with Kvaratskhelia, Lewis-Skelly did miles better with Doue and Hakimi.

That forced Doue to come inside, so Lewis-Skelly came inside and inverted and bolstered Arsenal’s numbers in the middle.

This is 1-0, it is half-time and this is not done.

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Arsenal ratings vs PSG as Raya saves keep Gunners in it and poor Odegaard subbed off

ARSENAL face an uphill battle next week.

The Gunners suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their all-important Champions League semi-final home leg.

Ousmane Dembele stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence when his first-time shot hit the post and bounced over the line just three minutes into the match.

After a nervous start, it took the Gunners around 20 minutes to settle.

But when they did, the momentum began to swing in their favour.

Just moments into the second half, Mikel Merino finally put the ball in the net – only for it to be chalked offside after a lengthy VAR check.

And Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard forced worldy saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

David Raya then produced stunning stop from Goncalo Ramos as the Gunners held on at 1-0.

It’s not over – there is still at least 90 minutes to be played.

But away from home, it will not be easy.

Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated Arsenal’s stars on the night…

Republicans and Democrats at the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday agreed on the need for reforms at the State Department but disagreed over Secretary of State Marco Rubio‘s plan to cut bureaus and staff focused on human rights.

Rubio last week announced sweeping reforms to the agency. In addition to gutting USAID, Rubio described plans to cut 132 bureaus, most of them pertaining to advancing human rights, women’s rights, protecting religious freedom and stabilization efforts.

Moreover, he called for a 15% decrease in the number of State Department domestic workers.

At a hearing Wednesday, titled “The Need for an Authorized States Department,” members of Congress disputed how the cuts would affect the ability of the United States to promote its values abroad and lead the world in human rights and humanitarian efforts.

Authorization bills allow Congress to exercise the power of the purse over federal departments, however, Congress has not passed an authorization bill for the State Department since 2002.

“The longer the Department of State goes without an authorization bill, the farther away it is from the will of the American people,” said one of the witnesses, former ambassador and former Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale.

Members from both parties expressed concern that without an authorization bill, the executive branch has conducted foreign policy without congressional approval.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, denounced Congress’s lack of oversight of foreign policy. “Right now, this committee, and this Congress are surrendering influence and control over our diplomacy to the President of the United States,” he said.

“We should debate how American tax dollars should and should not be used abroad,” said Chairman Brian Mast, R-Florida. He said the State Department spent $14 million on cash vouchers for immigrants at the southern border, $24,000 for a national spelling bee in Bosnia, and $20,000 for a drag show in Ecuador.

“President Trump, Secretary Rubio and DOGE are already making changes and they’re looking at us to be a partner in that process,” he said.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., the top Democrat in the committee, criticized Rubio’s plans.

“What we’ve seen before us is not reform, it’s abandoning decades of bipartisan support for centering human rights and democracy in our foreign policy, without consultation, without engagement and without any regard for Congress’s constitutional role,” he said.

Republican representatives, however, said the State Department had become too bureaucratic. Between 2000 and 2024, the budget grew from $9.5 billion to $55 billion.

“The State Department has many duplicative missions but not a clear mission, a clear outline on how to go out there and affect the missions positively on behalf of the American people,” said Mast.

In particular, he criticized the lack of coordination and organization when the Biden administration withdrew troops from Afghanistan.

One of the major bureaus that would be cut is the Under Secretary of Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights. According to the Department of State website, this office “leads global diplomatic efforts to advance universal human rights, democratic renewal, and human-centered security.” Moreover, Rubio planned to cut the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues and the diversity, equity and inclusion office.

Representative Meeks pushed back against Marco Rubio’s reform plan and accused him of being compliant with President Donald Trump‘s wishes.

“There is no greater demonstration of this incredible cowardice in my opinion than that of Secretary Rubio, who knows this is wrong. But he would rather sit atop a kingdom of ash than defend the work he once praised,” said Meeks.

Members of the Committee also warned that foreign adversaries, such as the People’s Republic of China and Russia, would fill the gap if the United States pulled back from its role of promoting human rights abroad.

Uzra Zeya, CEO of Human Rights First, said these reforms would be detrimental to U.S. foreign policy. “The PRC is already filling that gap. We are seeing China increase its diplomatic spending by over 8% for 2025, over 6% last year and so again. To what end are we retreating from the field when our greatest geopolitical challenger is doubling down?” she asked the House Committee members.

Members of Congress passionately debated how the United States had recently been treating its allies and adversaries.

“So unfortunately, since his return to office in January, President Trump has chosen to attempt to overpower foreign partners rather than engage in strategic diplomacy, his administration claims their policy will bring bring safety, security and prosperity,” said Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa. “But all that I’ve seen thus far is a reeling economy, weakened relationship with our allies and emboldened adversaries.”

When asked whether an authorization bill could actually pass Congress and whether Congress could have a say in how the Department of State operates, Dean answered, “We’re going to make sure that we have a say, that is our job.”

US President Donald Trump marks 100 days of his second term – a time for the United States and the world to take stock, and perhaps, a breather.

The 100-day mark has been a political yardstick for nearly a century.

So, is it important? What does it tell us?

Presenter: Imran Khan

Guests:

Niall Stanage – Political analyst and White House columnist for The Hill newspaper

Patrick Mara – Chairman of the DC Republican Party and member of the Republican National Committee

Michael Fauntroy – Professor of policy and government at George Mason University

Katy Perry knows online critics have much to say about her recent Blue Origin field trip to space and her new live tour. Despite this, the pop star wants fans to “please know I am OK.”

“I have done a lot [of] work around knowing who I am, what is real and what is important to me,” the “Firework” and “California Gurls” singer said Tuesday on Instagram.

Perry, 40, wrote about how she moves past online scrutiny in a lengthy comment replying to a fan’s post on Instagram. Several fan accounts dedicated to the Grammy nominee shared a video of a Times Square billboard congratulating the singer on her Lifetimes tour, which launched on April 23 in Mexico City. In her comment, she thanked the fan groups for their support and addressed “the ‘online’ world” which she said “tries to make me a human piñata.”

The singer has faced heat on multiple fronts recently, notably for her participation in Blue Origin’s April space launch. On April 14, Blue Origin launched six women — including Perry, Lauren Sánchez and Gayle King — into space. The performer sang “What a Wonderful World” while in zero gravity, kissed the ground upon landing and said the launch made her feel “super connected to love.” Those moments quickly became fodder for internet memes — and backlash.

Critics, including model-actor Emily Ratajkowski, slammed the celebrity joyride as wasteful and performative. Fast food chain Wendy’s also shaded Perry, tweeting “Can we send her back” upon the pop star’s return to Earth. Singer Lily Allen said in an episode of her “Miss Me?” podcast that she found the flight “out of touch,” but she eventually walked back her criticism.

Scrutiny over Perry’s Blue Origin ride — which she did not directly reference in her comment — carried over to the launch of her Lifetimes tour the following week. Video featuring Perry’s stiff and low-energy “E.T.” choreography from the first night of her tour went viral on TikTok. “Should’ve spent less time in space and more in rehearsals,” one user commented.

On social media, the singer was also accused of using AI-generated background visuals on her tour. In his review of Perry’s “143” album, Times critic Mikael Wood raised a similar flag about her music: “‘143’ is an oddly cold dance-pop album with boring melodies, utilitarian grooves and vocal performances that feel vaguely AI-derived.”

Amid all the noise, the “Teenage Dream” singer on Tuesday explained that she takes backlash with “grace” and sends love to her critics. “I know so many people are hurting in so many ways and the internet is very much a dumping group for [the] unhinged and unhealed,” she wrote.

The “Woman’s World” performer continued: “What’s real is seeing your faces every night, singing in unison, reading your notes, feeling your warmth. I find people to lock eyes and sing with and I know we are healing each other in a small way.”

On her Instagram account, the former “American Idol” judge on Tuesday posted a video of a special moment she shared with a fan. “Never forgot this is the whole point,” reads text over the video.

Perry wrote in her comment that she is on a “human journey playing the game of life with an audience of many.” That journey, she said, can sometimes be imperfect, but “I get back up and go on and continue to play the game.”

“Somehow through my battered and bruised adventure I keep looking to the light,” she continued. “And in that light a new level UNLOCKS.”

Perry’s Lifetimes tour continues with three shows in Guadalajara before she comes stateside. She kicks off the U.S. leg of her tour with a show at Houston’s Toyota Center on May 7. Perry is set to perform at the Honda Center in Anaheim on July 13 and the Kia Forum in Inglewood on July 15.

Syria promises to ‘protect all components’ of society, including Druze, after Israel launches air raids near Damascus.

Syrian authorities have decried “foreign intervention” in Syrian affairs after Israel launched air attacks on a town near Damascus where government forces and several other groups had taken part in deadly clashes.

A Syrian Ministry of Interior source told Al Jazeera Arabic that at least four Israeli air strikes targeted security personnel in the mainly Druze town of Ashrafieh Sahnaya on Wednesday.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, in a statement, rejected “all forms of foreign intervention”, but did not explicitly accuse Israel of carrying out the attacks. Syria “affirms its unwavering commitment to protect all components of the Syrian people … including the children of the honourable Druze community,” the Foreign Ministry added in its statement.

Israel said it had carried out a strike in Syria against so-called “extremists” who attacked members of the Druze community, following through on what it said was a promise to protect the minority group.

The military said that three Syrian Druze citizens had been evacuated from Syria to receive medical treatment in Israel.

The strikes came following confrontations between Syrian government loyalists and members of the Druze military council that killed dozens of people in two days.

The director of security for the Damascus countryside, Hussam al-Tahhan, told Syria’s state-run SANA news agency that a security operation was launched there and that reinforcements were sent to ensure the return of “security and stability” to the area’s neighbourhoods.

At least 16 security forces and six fighters were killed on Wednesday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor. At least 17 people, including 10 security forces, were killed on Tuesday.

‘Extreme panic’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strike on the town of Ashrafieh Sahnaya sent a “stern message” to Syria’s new government, led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

“Israel expects them to act to prevent harm to the Druze community”, he said.

Israel’s armed forces chief later ordered the military to prepare to strike Syrian government targets if the Druze community faces more violence.

Syrian Druze leaders have repeatedly rejected Israeli intervention and declared their loyalty to a united Syria.

The latest violence erupted on Tuesday with clashes between Druze and Sunni groups in the predominantly Druze area of Jaramana, ignited by an audio clip attacking the Prophet Muhammad that was circulated on social media.

The recording was attributed to a Druze leader. The spiritual authority for the Druze community in Jaramana condemned the recording, insisting it was fabricated “to incite sedition and sow division among the people of the same nation”.

Syria’s new rulers, former opposition fighters who led the rebellion that overthrew longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, have struggled to maintain security for the country’s minorities, despite urging national unity and inclusivity.

Since al-Assad was overthrown in December, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes into Syria, stepping up attacks that it also carried out routinely in previous years, and has deployed troops to a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone on the occupied Golan Heights.

The latest incidents only serve to increase the sectarian tension in Syria, with minorities already on edge following horrifying bloodshed last month.

After al-Assad loyalists from the Alawite community clashed with security forces in March, hundreds of people were killed in a wave of vigilante attacks in the northern areas of Tartous and Latakia governorates.

‘Extreme panic’

Residents of Sahnaya reported intense street fighting throughout Wednesday.

“We’re in extreme panic and fear because of the indiscriminate shelling, which is forcing most of us to stay totally shuttered inside our homes,” said Elias Hanna, who lives on the edge of Sahnaya.

“We’re worried that the massacres of the coast will repeat themselves near Sahnaya against the Druze,” he said.

Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy to Syria, is “deeply concerned” by violence in the country, especially in the suburbs of the capital Damascus and in Homs,” the United Nations said.

He called for immediate measures to ensure the protection of civilians and prevent incitement of communal tensions.

Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that Israel “cease its aerial strikes” on Syria.

“At this sensitive time for Syria, the duty of the international community is to contribute to the establishment of security and stability in Syria,” ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said in a statement. “Given this context, Israel must put an end to its air strikes, which are damaging the country’s efforts to achieve unity and integrity.”

MAYA Jama and Ruben Dias kiss and cuddle to confirm their romance for the first time with a loved-up display.

The Man City defender, 27, even cheekily bit the TV star’s neck as they stood pitch side at a weekly Baller League match.

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Love Island host Maya, 30, has been dating Ruben since they met at an awards bash in November but has kept their relationship under wraps until now.

The Sun’s exclusive video shows the couple hugging in a bunker behind the goal at the Copper Box Arena, in East London.

At one point the Portuguese pitch ace pulls her in for a hug, planting a smooch on her cheek and then rubs her back.

Later he playfully bites at the back of her neck.

A source said: “Maya and Ruben seemed very close, very loved up and were clearly very comfortable with each other.

“They were chatting to others around them but gravitated back to each other. They seem very happy with each other.”

It is the first time the couple have been seen together in public since they began dating.

Maya and Ruben were introduced at the MTV EMAs in Manchester in November, following the breakdown of her on-off relationship with rapper Stormzy last summer.

Last month we told how she had introduced Dias to her mum Bernadette, with sources saying they were “getting more serious”.

She also revealed in March she was taking Portuguese lessons.

The influencer-led Baller League sees former Premier League players, futsal players and celebrities face one another in 12 teams.

Maya is among several celebrities backing the new-look football format.

The TV host has teamed up with Swiss player Alisha Lehmann to lead MVPs United for the influencer-led football league.

The likes of KSI and darts star Luke Littler also attended Monday’s sport event.

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