California career politician Barbara Lee wins mayor race in embattled Oakland
Former Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., defeated former Oakland City Council member Loren Taylor in Oakland’s special election for mayor, following months of uncertainty for the struggling city. While Taylor made inroads as a relative political outsider with campaign finance reports revealing he outraised the career California politician, Lee was ultimately triumphant following Friday’s ranked choice tallies. The race for mayor had been too close to call on Tuesday night following Oakland’s April 15 special election as Taylor maintained a slight lead over Lee, with just over a thousand more votes in his favor. Oakland follows a ranked choice voting system, where candidates with the least votes are eliminated as voters’ backup choices get a boost in the tally. The liberal-run city has had four different mayors in a four-month period after Mayor Sheng Thao was recalled this November and subsequently indicted on eight counts of bribery. Oakland has been without a clear leader this year as the city continues to grapple with ongoing crises. ‘FED UP’: EMBATTLED BLUE CITY’S FUTURE HANGS IN THE BALANCE AHEAD OF MAYORAL SPECIAL ELECTION Taylor’s campaign to finish out Thao’s term was aimed at shaking up the political “status quo” and restoring Oaklanders’ faith in their politicians after months of uncertainty. Taylor’s policy platform highlighted public safety initiatives, budget stabilization to avoid bankruptcy, anti-corruption and increased efficiency at City Hall, tackling homelessness and boosting the local economy. CALIFORNIA CITY’S MASSIVE $130M DEFICIT THREATENS DANGEROUS CUTS TO ITS FIREFIGHTING CAPACITY There were 5,490 homeless individuals in Oakland in 2024, a 9% increase since 2022, according to Alameda County Health’s January 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) report. While the Oakland Police Department reported a decrease in violent crime in 2024, 2025 began with a crime surge, including five recorded homicides within a 48-hour period. By Jan. 3, The San Francisco Chronicle reported Oakland’s third homicide of the year and seventh since Dec. 30, 2024. Oakland’s staggering $129.8 million budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2024-25 forced some Oakland firehouses to close their doors earlier this year, but the City Council was able to pass a resolution to reopen those firehouses earlier this year. “Oaklanders are frustrated,” Taylor told Fox News Digital in an interview ahead of the special election. “We are upset that we have not been getting what we deserve, what we should be getting from our local government. The status quo continues to fail us when we see crime rates rising out of control, we see homelessness still growing when it’s shrinking in neighboring cities, we see our city facing the largest fiscal budget deficit in our history – a number of failures that show that what we have is not working.” Lee touted a long list of political endorsements during her campaign and had the name recognition that landed her a victory. She lost the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate last year to her former colleague in the House, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. “Barbara Lee is meeting voters every day in their living rooms, at their doors and at community events. She hears their priorities loud and clear – she is running to be a mayor who can make Oakland safer, address the fiscal crisis and root out corruption. That is why her 100-day plan tackles public safety, homelessness, good governance and economic opportunity head on,” a spokesperson for Lee’s campaign told Fox News Digital ahead of the special election. Lee vowed to bring a “fresh perspective” to Oakland’s City Hall, and she accused Taylor of helping “make the bad decisions that shaped the city.”
3 killed as heavy rain triggers flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban
Officials said a cloudburst struck the Seri Bagna village of Ramban, resulting in the deaths of three persons, including brothers Aqib Ahmad and Mohd Saqib.
US air strikes pound Yemen
NewsFeed Video shows US air strikes pounding Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, just days after the US bombed Hodeidah’s airport and Ras Isa port, killing at least 80 people. The UN says it’s gravely concerned by the US campaign against the Iran-backed group, which the Trump administration argues is necessary to protect international shipping in the Red Sea. Published On 20 Apr 202520 Apr 2025 Adblock test (Why?)
US attacks on Yemen tell Iran that US is “eyeing confrontation”
[unable to retrieve full-text content] The US is negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program while bombing its allies, says Professor Hassan Ahmadian.
Thousands gather for centuries-old Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem
Thousands of Christians gathered in the cavernous Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a centuries-old Holy Fire ceremony. Holding unlit candles, they packed into the sprawling 12th-century basilica built on the site where, according to tradition, Jesus was crucified and buried. In near-total darkness, the Greek patriarch entered the Holy Edicule and emerged with two lit candles. The flame was passed from one candle to the next, the light overcoming the darkness in the rotunda. The flame was later transferred to Orthodox communities in other countries on special flights. Eastern Orthodox Christians believe the light miraculously appears inside the Holy Edicule, built on the traditional site of Jesus’s tomb, while sceptics going back to the Middle Ages have dismissed it as a carnival trick for the masses. Either way, the ceremony, which goes back at least 1,200 years, is a sight to behold. It has also ignited safety concerns. In 1834, a frenzied stampede broke out in the darkened church, and the ruler of the Holy Land at the time barely escaped after his guards drew swords and hacked their way through the crowd, historian Simon Sebag Montefiore recounts in his history of Jerusalem. Some 400 pilgrims died in the melee, most from suffocation or trampling. Advertisement Israeli authorities have sought to limit participants in recent years, citing safety concerns. That has drawn protests from church leaders, who have accused them of upsetting the delicate, unwritten arrangements around Jerusalem’s holy sites known as the status quo. On Saturday, there was a heavy military presence as thousands of worshippers passed through Israeli checkpoints to enter. Some worshippers lamented that the turnout lacked numbers this year because of Israel’s 18-month war on Gaza. “The number of police is higher than the number of pilgrims,” said Adeeb Joude, key holder for the Holy Sepulchre. Israel captured East Jerusalem, including the Old City with major sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, in the 1967 Middle East War, and annexed it in a move not recognised internationally. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state. The Old City has a long history of tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, among different religious groups that share its hilly confines and even within certain faiths. Perceived infringements on the status quo in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have led to brawls between monks of different denominations. Israel says it is committed to ensuring freedom of worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims, and has long presented itself as an island of tolerance in the Middle East. In recent years, however, tensions have risen with the local Christian community, most of whom are Palestinian Christians, a population that has dwindled through decades of conflict as many have moved abroad. Advertisement Adblock test (Why?)
J-K CM Omar Abdullah blasts Delhi airport after flight diverted to Jaipur: ‘A bloody…’
Accompanying his post with a selfie taken from outside an IndiGo plane at the Jaipur airport, Abdullah wrote, “3 hours in the air after we left Jammu we get diverted to Jaipur & so here I am at 1 in the morning on the steps of the plane getting some fresh air.”
DNA Verified: FASTag to be replaced by satellite-based toll system across India from May 1? Truth is…
This comes after several media reports suggested that the new system would replace the current FASTag method starting that date.
Indiana takes first action in long-shot plan to acquire parts of Illinois
Indiana is taking a first step toward a rather unlikely effort to amend its border and acquire parts of Illinois. The legislature in the Hoosier State passed a bill last week to establish the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission that would recommend whether to alter the border between the two states. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, a Republican, plans to sign the measure into law, his office said on Friday. The governor will then face a Sept. 1 deadline to schedule the commission’s first meeting. CONSERVATIVE PORTION OF BLUE STATE LOOKING TO BREAK OFF AND JOIN NEIGHBORING RED STATE This comes as residents of some counties in Illinois seek to separate from the densely populated and deep blue Chicago area. But despite support from the Indiana government and the people in the Illinois counties that would change states, the Illinois government and the U.S. Congress would need to approve the plan to change state boundaries. Illinois’ top elected officials do not support the idea. A companion bill in Illinois authorizing the state to participate in the commission to change the border has not received a hearing in an Illinois House committee. Democrat Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also described the Indiana measure earlier this year as “a stunt.” Minor boundary changes between states are not a new idea, as there have been at least 50 in U.S. history, according to the National Center for Interstate Compacts at The Council of State Governments. However, no major changes have been implemented since the Civil War era, when some counties in Virginia separated to create West Virginia. The current effort to change the border between Illinois and Indiana is fueled in part by political divisions. The Chicago area is controlled by Democrats and, given the area’s large population, the party also controls the state government, while Republicans represent many other parts of Illinois. The Indiana government, meanwhile, is controlled by Republicans. NY LAWMAKER CALLS FOR STATEN ISLAND TO SECEDE In the last five years, voters in 33 Illinois counties have approved ballot measures asking if they want to consider separating from Cook County, a county that includes Chicago, to form a new state. But the initiative does not necessarily mean they would join Indiana, if given the opportunity. A similar effort is ongoing in eastern Oregon, as some counties in that Democrat-controlled state want to break away and join Republican-led Idaho. The Idaho House approved a measure two years ago allowing Oregon to enter into discussions, but similar measures have not moved forward as they remain stuck in committees in the Oregon legislature. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
UP woman goes to parlour to get her eyebrows done, husband arrives, chops off her braid
According to the police, the matter came to light when the woman’s father, Radhakrishna, filed a dowry harassment complaint against her husband after the incident.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club: LaLiga – Start, team news, squads, Ancelotti
Al Jazeera takes a look at Athletic’s visit to Real Madrid, where the LaLiga defending champions’ season hangs in the balance. Who: Real Madrid vs Athletic ClubWhat: Spanish LaLigaWhere: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, SpainWhen: Sunday at 9pm local time (19:00 GMT) Follow Al Jazeera Sport‘s live text and photo commentary stream. Defending champions Real Madrid are in desperate need of all three points as they entertain Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga. The Spanish giants’ defence of their Champions League title ended with a defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday. And with Barcelona moving seven points clear at the top of LaLiga with their 4-3 comeback win against Celta Vigo on Saturday, Los Blancos can ill afford to drop points against a team that are proving tough to topple. What is the latest on Ancelotti’s future? Real coach Carlo Ancelotti has refused to speak about his future with the club after recent reports again linked him with a move to Brazil’s national team. The veteran Italian manager was asked several times by reporters on Saturday at a pre-game news conference if he would leave the Spanish giant this summer, and each time he responded that he didn’t want to speak about it. “At the end of the season, we will speak about this with the club,” he said more than once. Advertisement The 65-year-old is under contract with Madrid through June 2026. What has happened to Real Madrid’s season? Speculation regarding Ancelotti’s career plans once again spiked after Madrid’s exit from the Champions League. Besides the Copa del Rey, Madrid is still in the fight to defend its LaLiga title and will also play in the Club World Cup this summer. FT: #BarçaCelta 4-3 Raphinha leads the REMONTADA for @FCBarcelona! 🔥#LALIGAEASPORTS | #DesenlaceLALIGA pic.twitter.com/85zk1Fshis — LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) April 19, 2025 What is the link between Brazil and Ancelotti? Brazil have reportedly been after Ancelotti since last year as they seek an elite coach for the 2026 World Cup. The South Americans fired Dorival Junior as coach last month. What is Ancelotti’s record as a manager? Ancelotti is the only coach to have won the Champions League five times — three times with Madrid (2014, 2022, 2024) and twice with AC Milan (2003, 2007). He is also the only coach to have steered teams to domestic league titles in Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France. Who is reportedly lined up to replace Ancelotti? Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso are both considered top candidates to replace Ancelotti should he leave Madrid. Klopp, however, is “very happy” in his current post at Red Bull despite rumours linking him to a return to management with Real Madrid, his agent said on Friday. The German became Red Bull’s global head of football in January, taking care of a stable of clubs, including RB Leipzig, the New York Red Bulls and Bragantino in Brazil. Advertisement Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen’s coach, on Friday refused to shut down speculation he could be set for a move to Real Madrid in the summer. “It’s not a good time to discuss the future. We’re at a very important moment in the season,” Alonso said. Leverkusen are six points behind league leaders Bayern Munich with five games remaining. How are Athletic Club fairing in LaLiga? Athletic hold fourth spot in the Spanish top flight with 15 wins from 31 games. No team have lost fewer games than the Bilboa-based club, who have suffered defeat on only four occasions. 📋✅ Our squad for the match! 🆚 @Athletic_en pic.twitter.com/a59FO36sqC — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 19, 2025 Real Madrid team news Kylian Mbappe is serving a one-game suspension after his red card against Alaves. Eduardo Camavinga returns from the suspension that ruled him out of the defeat by Arsenal. Ferland Mendy and Andriy Lunin have a chance of returning from knocks, but Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal are out with knee injuries. Athletic Club team news Inaki Williams is likely to remain a sub due to an adductor injury. This match has probably come too soon for Yuri Berchiche to return from a muscular problem. 🗒 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 Ernesto Valverde has called up 2️⃣3️⃣ players for tomorrow’s clash with @realmadriden at the Santiago Bernabéu. ℹ️ Travel details 👉 https://t.co/VXWeD3nQkX#RealMadridAthletic #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/PTUplPO7Aq — Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) April 19, 2025 Adblock test (Why?)