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Baltimore Port’s Closure Threatens Inflation and Bigger Deficits

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(Breitbart) The Port of Baltimore has been brought to a standstill thanks to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, creating risks to the U.S. economy of additional inflation, diminished productive capacity, and larger government deficits.

The Port of Baltimore was the 17th busiest port in the nation ranked by total tons in 2021, according to the latest data available from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. It is the fifth largest on the East Coast, outsized by the ports of New York-New Jersey; Virginia; Mobile, Alabama; and Savanah, Georgia.

Governor Wes Moore said last year that the port handled a record 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo, worth $80 billion, in 2023. That was a record high.

Moore described the port as”one of the largest economic generators” in Maryland.

It was the first in terms of the volume of automobiles and light trucks (including 847,158 cars and light trucks),roll on/roll off heavy farm and construction machinery, imported sugar, and imported gypsum, the governor’s office said.

It was ninth overall as measured by the volume of foreign cargo handled and ninth in terms of the value of foreign cargo., according to Moore.

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The closure of the port could create serious supply chain disruptions for both consumer goods and industrial imports that go into goods manufactured in the U.S. It’s unlikely that all of the lost capacity will be able to be absorbed by the other ports on the Eastern seaboard of the U.S.

This raises the danger of additional inflation in the U.S. Inflation has fallen from the very high levels seen in the first two years of the Biden administration but remains elevated by historical standards and above levels the Federal Reserve considers appropriate for a healthy economy. In the first two months of this year, inflation has come in unexpectedly high, creating worries that disinflation may have faded.

“The worst thing that can happen for the Fed, the worst thing that can happen for the economy, are these kinds of supply side shocks because what they do is they reduce the productive capacity of the US economy boost inflation at the same time,” Citigroup’s Andrew Hollenhorst said on Bloomberg TV’s Surveillance program Tuesday.

In addition to the supply constraints, the clearing of the harbor and the rebuilding of the bridge will require resources that would have otherwise been utilized elsewhere. This could add to pricing pressures.

If the U.S. government steps in to aid in financing the repairs, as is likely, that will increase the budget deficit at a time when federal borrowing is already historically very high. Further government spending could exacerbate inflation.

“This period of deflation in goods that we’ve been in for the last six months or so — we are probably coming out of that,” Hollenhorst said.

 

Prince Harry Among A-List Celebrities Named in $30 Million Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

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Warner Todd Huston (Breitbart)

Prince Harry has been named in court documents in the sex trafficking lawsuit lodged against Bad Boy Records founder and media mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.

The royal’s name appeared in the $30 million lawsuit filed by producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones who alleges that the music mogul participated on sexual misconduct, grooming, and sex trafficking.

According to the New York Post, the Duke of Sussex, 39, was one of several “A-List” celebrities whose names appear in the court documents.

The music mogul’s Los Angeles home was raided on Monday by federal agents in connection to the sex trafficking investigation.

“Investigators said across the coast, the music mogul’s Miami home was also raided Monday,” Fox News reported.

“SkyFOX flew over Combs’ home Monday afternoon and showed federal agents conducting their investigation at his home.,” it added. “FOX 11’s ground crew at the scene said the home was registered to Bad Boys Films, which is a division of Bad Boy Entertainment, along with one of Combs’ daughters.”

Combs forcefully denied the allegations, calling them “sickening” claims made by people “looking for a quick payday.”

“Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth,” Combs said.

A male music producer also accused Combs of sexually assaulting him and forcing him to have sex with prostitutes. Diddy has denied those claims, as well.

The court papers featuring the Prince’s name do not allege that Harry did anything wrong. His name reportedly only appears once in the documents.

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Special rapporteur report ‘brings shame’ to UN Human Rights Council, Israel says

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Francesca Albanese, U.N. special rapporteur, briefs reporters at UN Headquarters. Credit: Loey Felipe/U.N. Photo.

(JNS) The Israeli mission to the United Nations in Geneva lambasted a U.N. official over the report “Anatomy of a Genocide,” which accuses Israel of carrying out crimes against humanity in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

“The very attempt to level the charge of genocide against Israel is an outrageous distortion of the Genocide Convention,” the Israeli mission stated.

“It is an attempt to empty the word ‘genocide’ of its unique force and special meaning and turn the convention itself into a tool of terrorists, who have total disdain for life and for the law, against those trying to defend against them,” it added.

Francesca Albanese, the U.N. special rapporteur on the Palestinian-controlled territories, has a checkered history, including antisemitic statements. She regularly lays blame at Israel’s feet for problems in the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Albanese presented her report, which accuses Israel of committing genocide as an “inherent part” of its founding and continued existence, to the U.N. Human Rights Council on Tuesday.

The special rapporteur’s report “brings shame to the Human Rights Council,” the Israeli mission stated. “It is clear by her previous statements, before and after the OCt. 7 massacre that, under the guise of the U.N., the special rapporteur continues her campaign of delegitimizing the very creation and existence of the state of Israel.”

The report focuses mainly on Israel’s counterterror operation against Hamas after the latter’s Oct. 7 massacre.

“Israel’s genocide on the Palestinians in Gaza is an escalatory stage of a longstanding settler colonial process of erasure,” Albanese wrote in the report.

“The ongoing Nakba must be stopped and remedied once and for all,” Albanese added. She used the word for “catastrophe” that Palestinians use for the events leading up to the creation of the modern State of Israel.

The report “began with the conclusion that Israel is committing genocide, and then tried to prove her distorted and politically-driven views with weak arguments and justifications,” the Israeli mission in Geneva stated.

The report does not examine Hamas’s regular attacks on Israel since the terror organization seized power in Gaza in 2007, including the Oct. 7 massacre.

“The special rapporteur firmly condemns the crimes committed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Israel on Oct. 7 and urges accountability and the release of hostages,” per the report. “This report does not examine those events, as they are beyond the geographic scope of her mandate. Nor does it examine the situation in the West Bank, including east Jerusalem.”

Albanese claimed on Feb. 10 that the Oct. 7 victims “were not killed because of their Judaism but in response to Israel’s oppression.”

The U.N. official has long demonized Israel, blaming it for the terrorism it faces and criticizing Israel’s very existence.

“Before Oct. 7, the special rapporteur accused the Jewish lobby of subjugating America; dismissed Israeli security concerns as paranoia; talked of ‘Israel’s greed’; compared Israel’s actions of that to the Nazis and legitimized terrorist actions by Hamas and other terrorist organizations,” the Israeli mission in Geneva stated.

“Since the war, she has continued this campaign unabated, excusing and legitimizing the attacks of Oct. 7, dismissing their antisemitic nature and dismissing any concrete evidence of acts of savagery that were perpetrated on that day,” it added.

NYPD Police Officer Fatally Shot During Traffic Stop

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This photo provided by the New York City Police Department shows police officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty on Monday, March 25, 2024, in New York. According to the city's mayor and police, Diller was shot and killed during a traffic stop in the Far Rockaway section of Queens. The officer and his partner were part of the NYPD Critical Response Team. (New York City Police Department via AP)

(AP/TJV) — A New York City police officer was shot and killed Monday during a traffic stop, the city’s mayor said. It marked the first slaying of an NYPD officer in two years.

“We lost one of our sons today and it is extremely painful. It is extremely painful,” Mayor Eric Adams said, addressing reporters at a hospital in Queens.

The shooting happened just before 5:50 p.m. in the Far Rockaway section of Queens, police said. Officer Jonathan Diller and his partner were part of the NYPD Community Response Team and were conducting a traffic stop at the time.

As they approached the vehicle, the suspect pointed a gun toward the officers and shot Diller beneath his bullet-proof vest, said Police Commissioner Edward Caban, who identified the slain officer on X, formerly known as Twitter. He said Diller’s partner returned fire and shot one of the people in the vehicle, who was taken to an area hospital.

The suspect Guy Rivera had been arrested by the NYPD four times before the shooting, according to authorities. He was previously charged with hate crime charges and criminal possession of a substance, police said.

Jones had been arrested 14 times, according to authorities. He was recently charged with having a loaded firearm in April 2023.

Diller was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center but could not be saved, officials said. A three-year veteran of the police department, he was married with a young child, Caban said.

“We struggle to find the words to express the tragedy of losing one of our own,” Caban said on X.

The police department’s chief of detectives, Joseph Kenny, said the two officers had initially initiated contact with the driver and his passenger because he was parked at a bus stop illegally. “He was asked to leave the car. He was given a lawful order numerous times to step out of the car. He refused. And when the officers took him out of the car, rather than stepping out of the car, he shot our officer.”

Witnesses described a chaotic scene.

“It happened so fast,” one bystander, Melissa Morgan, 39, told the Daily News. “The police officer fell on the floor and the other officers dragged the two guys out of the car. I was running for cover.”

Another witness, Deon Peters, told the New York Post he saw Diller on the ground.

“He was moving, he was saying ‘I’m hit, I’m hit,’” Peters said.

The slaying was the first of an NYPD officer since 2022, when two officers, Wilbert Mora, 27, and Jason Rivera, 22, were ambushed in a Harlem apartment building after responding to a domestic disturbance call.

Adams, who said he met with Diller’s grieving widow, called the shooting a “senseless act of violence.”

“Can I say it any clearer? It is the good guys against the bad guys,” he said. “And these bad guys are violent. They carry guns. And the symbol of our public safety, which is that police uniform, they have a total disregard for.”

Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association of New York, expressed anger over the shooting.

“These attacks on New York City police officers have to end right now,” he said. “We have a family upstairs that’s devastated. We have police officers in this hallway who lost a brother. It has to end now.”

NYC Subway Rider Is Pushed Onto Tracks and Killed, Latest in a Series of Attacks Underground

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(AP) — A subway rider was pushed onto the tracks and killed by a train, the latest in a string of violent episodes in New York City’s transit system that have prompted officials to beef up policing in the subway system.

The shoving victim, who has not been identified, was pushed onto the tracks inside an East Harlem subway station shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, police said. The operator of an oncoming No. 4 train was unable to stop and the person was killed, police said.

The suspected shover, Carlton McPherson, 24, was arrested on a murder charge, a police spokesperson said. No information about an attorney for McPherson was available Tuesday morning.

The fatal push happened on the same day that New York City officials announced a plan to send 800 more police officers into the subway system to crack down on fare evasion.

While officials have framed fare-beating as a problem because of lost revenue, they say it also contributes to a lawless atmosphere.

“The tone of law and order starts at the turnstiles,” NYPD Transit Chief Michael Kemper said at a news conference Monday.

Officials said overall crime in the transit system is down 15% so far this month compared to last year, but several high-profile shootings and slashings in the last few months have scared many commuters.

Earlier this month, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she was sending National Guard troops to help conduct random bag checks in subway stations.

Hours before Monday’s news conference about the plan to send more officers into the system, a man was stabbed multiple times on a subway train in a dispute over smoking, police said. A suspect was arrested.

Cargo Ship Hits Baltimore’s Key Bridge, Bringing It Down. Rescuers Are Looking for People in Water

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(AP) — A container ship rammed into a major bridge in Baltimore early Tuesday, causing it to snap in several places and plunge into the river below. Several vehicles fell into the chilly waters, and rescuers were searching for at least seven people, six people are still unaccounted for.

Collapse’s cause: The ship, which is called Dali, reported losing power just before it struck a column on the bridge, authorities said.

 Search ongoing: Two people have been pulled from the water following the collapse; one was in serious condition. Rescuers are searching for six construction workers who were working on the bridge at the time of the collapse.

— Bridge location: The bridge, part of I-695, once spanned the Patapsco River, a vital artery that along with the Port of Baltimore is a hub for shipping on the East Coast.

Two people were rescued from the waters under the Francis Scott Key Bridge, one in serious condition, according to Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace. He said authorities “may be looking for upwards of seven people” but said that number could change. It was not clear if the two rescued were included in the seven.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says the cargo ship reported losing power just before it crashed and caused the bridge to collapse.

Moore said Tuesday that a mayday call from the ship allowed officials to limit traffic on the bridge before the crash.

A preliminary investigation suggests that the crash was an accident, and that there’s no credible evidence of a terrorist attack, Moore, a Democrat, said at a news conference near the collapsed bridge.

“This morning, our state is in shock,” he said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the cargo ship to crash into the bridge long before the busy morning commute in what one official called a “developing mass casualty event” in a major American city just outside of Washington.

The ship crashed into one of the bridge’s supports, causing the structure to snap and buckle at several points and tumble into the water in a matter of seconds — a shocking spectacle that was captured on video and posted on social media. The vessel caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.

“Never would you think that you would see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of an action movie,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, calling it “an unthinkable tragedy.”

Sonar has indicated that there are vehicles in the water, where the temperature was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Earlier, Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press that several vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the collapse, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck. The bridge came down in the middle of night when traffic would be lighter than during the day when thousands of cars traverse the span.

Cartwright called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event,” though he didn’t know at the time how many people were affected.

He added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge, which spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor. The river leads to the Port of Baltimore, a major hub for shipping on the East Coast. Opened in 1977, the bridge is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he was working to get federal resources deployed. The FBI was also on the scene.

Synergy Marine Group — which owns and manages the ship called the Dali — confirmed the vessel hit a pillar of the bridge at about 1:30 a.m. while two pilots were in control. It said all crew members, including the pilots, were accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries.

Parts of the Francis Scott Key Bridge remain after a container ship collided with a support Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Baltimore. The major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below. Rescuers were searching for multiple people in the water. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)

The Dali was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and flying under a Singapore flag, according to data from Marine Traffic. The container ship is about 985 feet (300 meters) long and about 157 feet (48 meters) wide, according to the website.

In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.

The vessel appears to have crashed into one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The ship caught fire, and thick, black smoke billowed out of it.

“This is a dire emergency,” Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press. Though he said it was too early to know how many people were affected, he called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”

Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Cartwright said. “Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,” he said.

 

He added that some cargo appeared to be dangling from the bridge, which spans the Patapsco River at the entrance to a busy harbor. The river leads to the Port of Baltimore, a major hub for shipping on the East Coast. Opened in 1977, the bridge is named for the writer of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency and said he was working to get federal resources deployed. The FBI was also on the scene.

Agencies received emergency calls around 1:30 a.m. reporting that a ship leaving Baltimore had struck a column on the bridge, according to Cartwright. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer truck.

The temperature in the river was about 47 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius) in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a buoy that collects data for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

From a vantage point near the entrance to the bridge, jagged remnants of its steel frame were visible protruding from the water, with the on-ramp ending abruptly where the span once began.

 

The ship is called “Dali,” according to Cartwright. A vessel by that name was headed from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as its final destination, according to Marine Traffic and Vessel Finder. The ship was flying under a Singapore flag, WTOP radio station reported, citing Petty Officer Matthew West from the Coast Guard in Baltimore.

Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. posted that emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.

“All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority posted on X.

In 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in a tunnel in downtown Baltimore and caught fire, spewing black smoke into surrounding neighborhoods and forcing officials to temporarily close all major roads into the city.

Diddy’s Home Raided By Homeland Security

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(Daily Caller) The home of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was raided by Homeland Security on Monday in connection with a sex trafficking investigation, Fox 11 News reported.

Combs’ Holmby Hills mansion was the subject of Monday’s raid, and reports indicate the famous rapper’s Miami home was also raided on the same day, according to Fox 11 News.

Helicopters hovering over the rapper’s estate showed federal agents conducting their search of his home. The investigation reportedly comes on the heels of numerous allegations that Diddy drugged and sexually assaulted young women over the course of his career.

 

Initial reports suggest the home is registered to Bad Boys Films, a division of Bad Boys Entertainment. One of Combs’ daughters is also reportedly listed on the home.

 

The alleged sexual assault crimes were reportedly committed in multiple states. A warrant of this magnitude suggests the state and local attorneys have been working together on the case against Diddy. It is believed the investigation centers around laptops, flash drives and any evidence that may connect the famous singer and producer to the crimes that he’s been accused of committing.

Diddy’s troubles reportedly erupted when famous R&B singer, and Diddy’s former girlfriend, Cassie launched a lawsuit against him in New York, alleging sexual abuse, among other allegations.

Cassie accused Diddy of forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes while he filmed them, and claimed he raped and beat her, over the course of their decades long relationship, according to Page Six.

One week later, two other women came forward with sexual assault claims against the rapper. One of those women, Joi Dickerson-Neal, accused Diddy of raping her, and claimed he possessed revenge porn that he threatened to use against her. She claimed she was drugged and raped, according to The New York Post.

 

This story continues to develop.

Hamas rejects Israeli offer, demands full ceasefire

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Palestinians celebrate on the street after Palestinian factions and Israel agreed on a ceasefire, in Gaza, May 13, 2023. (Atia Mohammed/Flash90)

By World Israel News Staff

The Hamas terror group rejected an Israeli proposal which would see a pause in the fighting and the release of hundreds of terrorists from Israeli prisons.

Instead, Hamas doubled down on their original demands for a total Israeli withdrawal from the coastal enclave and a permanent end to the war.

In a statement, Hamas blamed Prime Minister Benjamin “Netanyahu and his extreme government” for the “failure of negotiation efforts and for placing obstacles in the way of reaching an agreement until now.”

The terror group also said that they wanted a “real prisoner exchange deal.” This claim is significant, considering that recent reports indicated Jerusalem was prepared to release some 700 Palestinian terrorists – many of whom were convicted of murdering Israelis – in exchange for just 40 hostages.

Security blogger Abu Ali Express noted that Hamas’ rejection of the Israeli offer came just hours after the U.S. failed to veto a UN resolution which demanded a ceasefire, without a stipulation for the release of the hostages.

Washington’s refusal to veto the UN call for a ceasefire may have signaled to Hamas that Israel’s closest ally is growing impatient with the ongoing conflict.

Recent comments by Vice-President Kamala Harris that the U.S. may levy “consequences” against Israel should the IDF invade Rafah could also have strengthened Hamas’ perception that Jerusalem is facing increasing international pressure to stop the fighting.

Before the rejection by Hamas, some Israeli officials had expressed cautious optimism regarding the prospects of an agreement.

“Right now, we’re feeling 50/50 about the chances for a deal,” a member of the Israeli negotiating team told The Times of Israel on Sunday.

According to the Times of Israel, the main snag in the talks hinges on the number of high-profile Palestinian terrorists Israel is wiling to release from its prisons.

NY’s Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act May Address State’s Housing Crisis

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- State Senator Andrew Gounardes has proposed a groundbreaking solution in the form of the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act. Credit: nysenate.gov

NY’s Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act May Address State’s Housing Crisis

Edited by: TJVNews.com

New York State’s housing crisis has reached critical levels, with affordable housing becoming increasingly scarce. State Senator Andrew Gounardes has proposed a groundbreaking solution in the form of the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act. This legislation aims to empower religious institutions to contribute to solving the housing shortage by fast-tracking affordable housing projects, circumventing local zoning laws that have historically hindered such developments.

In December, Senator Gounardes introduced the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act, recognizing the potential of religious institutions to address the housing crisis. Gounardes described New York’s zoning laws as “restrictive” and saw an opportunity to leverage faith-based organizations in providing affordable housing solutions. He emphasized the importance of respecting the unique character of communities across the state while urgently addressing the housing crisis.

At a rally on March 5th, Gounardes articulated his commitment to the bill, stating, “New York has a severe affordable housing crisis and our houses of worship are uniquely positioned to help.”

Unlike previous attempts that provided incentives for affordable housing, Gounardes’s plan directly addresses the barriers faced by faith-based organizations. The Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act would grant religious groups the right to develop on their own land, subject to specific criteria. It aims to streamline the development process by implementing a comprehensive training program on housing development for faith-based groups.

Moreover, the legislation proposes new zoning regulations designed to stimulate the construction of affordable housing. By eliminating the need for time-consuming environmental impact statements and site plan reviews, the bill seeks to expedite the building process. Notably, it mandates a strict 60-day timeline for issuing building permits, significantly reducing the time required for project approval.

The Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act has garnered attention from various stakeholders, each offering unique perspectives on its potential implications. They have applauded Senator Gounardes’ efforts to remove regulatory barriers and facilitate the involvement of faith-based organizations in addressing the housing crisis.

Mayor Eric Adams unveiled his ambitious “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” plan, advocating for increased housing development as a means to revitalize New York City. His proposal aligns with the state legislation introduced by Senator Andrew Gounardes.

During a press conference on March 22nd, Mayor Adams expressed his support, stating, “Today we are saying ‘yes in G-d’s backyard,’ and enabling faith-based organizations and non-profits to convert old convents, school buildings and other properties into desperately-needed housing.”

Under the proposed legislation, faith-based groups in municipalities with fewer than 50,000 residents could build up to 30 units per acre, while larger areas could accommodate up to 50 units per acre. However, in New York City, where density is a pressing concern, Mayor Adams’ plan may necessitate different regulations to address the unique challenges of urban development.

Despite the widespread support for the legislation at the state level, some local officials have expressed reservations regarding its potential ramifications. Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner highlighted concerns about the erosion of community character and the loss of control over zoning regulations.

Feiner cautioned against the exemption of faith-based organizations from zoning and planning laws, fearing that it could lead to abuse of the system. He expressed apprehension that landowners might exploit the legislation by falsely claiming religious affiliation to circumvent zoning restrictions.

While the legislation has garnered significant support in the Senate, with 18 sponsors, and additional backing in the Assembly, with 27 sponsors, local officials remain cautious about its implications.

 

Hamas Digs In on Hostages After Biden Betrays Israel at UN

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Nasser Nasser / Associated Press

Joel B. Pollak(Breitbart)

Hamas is reportedly refusing to accept Israel’s terms for a hostage deal and digging in on its demands after the Biden administration refused to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution on Monday calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution did not require that Israeli hostages be released as a condition of a ceasefire — a requirement that the U.S. had made in previous proposals. Instead, the resolution simply mentioned the release of the remaining hostages.

Hamas saw that as a victory — as did nations like South Africa, which is currently pursuing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice at The Hague, claiming that Israel is committing “genocide” in its war against Hamas.

Hamas praised the Security Council, and said that it was prepared to discuss the exchange of Israeli hostages (which it described as “prisoners”) for Palestinian terror convicts — but only after a ceasefire.

The Times of Israel reported: “Hamas says it has informed mediators that the terror group will stick to its original position on reaching a comprehensive ceasefire, which includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, a return of displaced Palestinians and a “real” exchange of prisoners.”

Egypt and Qatar, which are mediators in hostage talks, also praised the UN resolution, while Israel condemned it.

In effect, the resolution requires Israel to accept defeat in its main goal, which is to end Hamas as a military threat. The resolution therefore makes a hostage deal less likely than before — unless Israel is prepared to let Hamas win.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby claimed in a briefing Monday that the new resolution, from which the U.S. merely abstained, “does link hostages and a ceasefire.” But it does not make one depend on the other.

A draft U.S. resolution, which was vetoed by Russia and China last Friday, made a ceasefire dependent on the release of the Israeli hostages — indeed, that was one of the reasons cited by opponents of the U.S. draft for voting against it.

The White House claimed Monday that its position had not changed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disagreed, canceling a meeting between his senior aides and President Joe Biden’s aides to discuss their differences.

Kirby said that the Biden administration was “perplexed” by Netanyahu’s decision, and claimed Netanyahu was overreacting to the resolution by “choosing to create a perception of daylight here when they don’t need to do that.”

The Biden administration’s decision to abstain from the resolution recalls a similar decision by the Obama White House in its last weeks in 2016, when the U.S. abstained from U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334, which declared the Israeli presence across the 1949 armistice lines — including in the Old City of Jerusalem — illegal. The backlash against that decision led President Donald Trump to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of the recent book, “The Zionist Conspiracy (and how to join it),” now available on Audible. He is also the author of the e-book, Neither Free nor Fair: The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.

How Sourdough Captured Americans’ Hearts and Ovens

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AP

(AP) – April 1 isn’t just for fools; it’s also National Sourdough Day. Sourdough is making a big comeback in American kitchens, and it’s not just about the unique tangy taste. This resurgence taps into deeper cultural and health trends reshaping food relationships. Learn why the sourdough craze has taken the country by storm.

 

Although sourdough bread harkens back to pioneer days and beyond, it’s enjoying a comeback in American homes and bakeries. “The resurgence of sourdough now is due to a combination of factors,” says Emmy-award-winning Good Morning America television host, ABC news reporter and cookbook author Christianne Klein.

Sourdough resurgence in America’s kitchens

Baking sourdough bread emerged as a comforting, hands-on, at-home hobby for people during the pandemic lockdowns, as widely reported by news stations nationwide. However, sourdough’s popularity has waxed and waned regionally for decades. “I grew up in California with a mom who was obsessed with sourdough bread,” says Klein. “So it’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember.”

Interest in sourdough continued after lockdowns ended, as evidenced by a January 2024 viral TikTok video about an 1847 Oregon Trail sourdough starter. And the sourdough craze isn’t contained to America.

According to a recent MarketsandMarkets report, the global sourdough market size is forecast to grow to USD 3.5 billion in 2028 from USD 2.3 billion in 2023. At the same time, interest in other fermented foods, like kaffir and kombucha, have emerged.

Community, culture and comfort

Sourdough has the somewhat unique distinction of being an artisan food that creates community. In addition, it plays a significant role in American culture and history.

Sourdough circles

For example, in recent years, we’ve seen the emergence of sourdough circles. These online and face-to-face communities attract beginners and seasoned bakers, who share tips, recipes and even starters in groups for sourdough aficionados.

Local sourdough circles hold workshops or meet-ups to teach others how to nurture their starters from scratch or perfect their loaf-shaping technique. This helps to create a community. The community is supported by online forums, local baking classes and the passing of starters from one baker to another.

Cultural significance

Sourdough transcends typical traditional American foods because of its connection to a communal past. Families may pass down starters and sourdough bread recipes through generations like treasured heirlooms, each carrying distinct flavors shaped by their specific regions and environments. “There are people who have been babysitting sourdough for generations,” says Klein.

Comfort food at its finest

Sourdough tradition weaves together communities and cultures and combines the social aspect of sharing starters and sourdough loaves. This shared experience brings people closer. Sourdough has embedded itself in various American cultures as a symbol of pioneer heritage and communal bonding.

It also fits the current interest in a return to traditional cooking methods, homesteading and an appreciation for slower food processes and simple living. Cultivating and nurturing sourdough ties us to generations past who relied on fermentation for preservation long before commercial yeast became available.

Sourdough and fermentation

Klein, who’s also editor-in-chief of FoodFamilyTravel.com, says part of the rise of sourdough is health-related. “It corresponds to the increase in interest in fermented foods,” she says.

Unlike bread made with commercial yeast, sourdough relies on wild yeasts and bacteria in its environment. This process, known as fermentation, gives sourdough its distinctive tangy flavor. It also breaks down gluten more extensively than regular bread-making techniques, potentially making it easier to digest.

Due to their health benefits, America’s interest in fermenting vegetables and other foods has surged recently. Studies, including one from Harvard Medical School, found improved digestion and more robust immune systems due to probiotics found in fermented foods. This drives an increased appetite for naturally fermented products like kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut and, of course, sourdough.

Sourdough starter

All sourdough baking begins with the starter, a mixture of flour and water that ferments over time and helps the bread dough rise. The sourdough starter helps produce slight flavor variations in each bread batch.

It depends on room temperature, humidity and even geographical location. The balance between lactic acid bacteria or good bacteria and wild yeast gives sourdough its distinctive tangy flavor, chewy texture and crisp crust.

Since bakers keep starters alive through regular feedings with more flour and water, they can last many years. This gives them personal historical value to the bakers who maintain them.

Sourdough bread and beyond

For those bakers passionate about crafting food with character, sourdough offers endless possibilities beyond traditional loaves. Sourdough recipes may include pancakes, waffles, cookies, pizzas, cakes and even recipes that use up the sourdough discard or starter that gets removed with each feeding.

Sourdough offers potential health benefits, a sense of community, a connection to shared history and the opportunity to learn an artisan food skill. It aligns with the growing interest in fermented foods and offers a comforting, chewy staple. Despite all the sourdough accessories available to purchase online and in kitchen specialty stores, today’s baker only needs a little bit of what a baker of 200 years ago would need. Just flour, water, warmth and time.

Finally, there’s the taste. “There is no other bread like it,” says Klein.

Sarita Harbour is a long-time business and finance writer. She createdAn Off Grid Lifeto help people become more self-reliant. Sarita and her family live off the grid in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Trump’s Social Media Company to Start Trading on the Nasdaq on Tuesday

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The Truth Social account for former President Donald Trump is seen on a mobile device, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in New York. Trump’s Truth Social looks set to hit Wall Street in a move that could give him stock worth billions of dollars on paper. But the former president likely can’t cash it out right away, unless some things change. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

(AP) – Trump Media & Technology Group, whose flagship product is social networking site Truth Social, will begin trading on the Nasdaq stock market on Tuesday.

Shareholders of Digital World Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded shell company, approved a deal to merge with the Trump’s media business in a Friday vote.

The common stock of Trump Media & Technology Group will trade under the ticker symbol “DJT.”

Former president Donald Trump is set to own most of the combined company — or nearly 79 million shares. Multiply that by Digital World’s closing stock price Friday of $36.94, and the total value of his stake could be nearly $3 billion.

Majority of 56% Believe Joe Biden Trying to Win by Jailing Trump

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President Joe Biden slammed America’s conduct during the Second World War in a conversation with Israel’s war cabinet, arguing that the Allied bombings of Nazi Germany led to the “United Nations and all these rules”. Credit: AP

By John Nolte(Breirtbart)

A clear majority of 56 percent believe Joe Biden is looking to win the 2024 election by jailing his opponent, Donald Trump — you know, like Putin does.

The question asked by McLaughlin & Associates is as straightforward as it gets. First, it starts with the facts: “President Trump has been indicted on a total of 91 counts by supporters of Joe Biden and his Justice Department.” Then comes the question: “If convicted of these charges, do you think that Joe Biden wants to stop President Trump from winning the election by putting him in jail?”

Independents agreed by a margin of  50 to 33 percent that Biden is seeking to jail Trump for political reasons. A plurality of moderates agreed, 48 to 32 percent.

Other questions in this poll indicate that the country is souring more and more on this fascist lawfare crusade Biden and his supporters have launched against Trump.

“Since Donald Trump leads Joe Biden for President in many polls,” one question asked, “do you think these investigations and indictments by the Biden Justice Department are being done to stop Donald Trump from running for President again?”

Back in July of last year, a plurality of 49 percent said yes, while 40 percent said no. Today, that number has jumped to 52 percent for yes and 38 percent for no.

There is similar movement in responses to this question: “Do you agree or disagree that Joe Biden’s Justice Department should stop targeting Donald Trump and interfering with the upcoming presidential election and Biden should let the voters decide who the next president should be?”

Back in July, 54 percent agreed that Biden should stop interfering in the election via lawfare, while 38 percent disagreed. Today, that difference has widened even further to 58 to 34 percent.

Another question asked:

Do you agree or disagree that there is a double standard and bias at Joe Biden’s Department of Justice, the FBI and the IRS, where they continue to target Republicans like Donald Trump, but these same groups go easy and give sweetheart deals to Joe Biden and his family members when the evidence shows Joe Biden and his family have failed to pay their taxes, taken bribes and extorted money from our enemies such as the Communist Chinese and Russia?

Biden lost 56 to 41 percent on that one, which makes it fairly obvious that despite the corporate media’s ongoing corruption in protecting Biden from his own scandals, voters see the double standard.

Finally, “[H]ow much of a role would you say Joe Biden has played in the indictments of former President Donald Trump?”

Fifty-eight percent say Biden played a “major” (40 percent) or “minor” (18 percent) role. Only 33 percent say he played no role at all.

McLaughlin & Associates surveyed 1,000 likely voters between March 9 and 14 and also asked about the overall state of the 2024 presidential race. Currently, Trump leads by six points, 49 to 43 percent.

Additionally, Biden’s favorable/unfavorable rating is underwater by 13 points, 55 percent unfavorable to 42 percent favorable. His job approval rating is upside-down by 14 points, with only 42 percent approving, while 56 percent disapprove. Two-thirds of the country, 66 percent, say the country is on the wrong track. When asked if the economy is getting better or worse, 63 percent said worse, while only 31 percent said better.

The public sees through these politically-driven indictments, and they appear to be backfiring in a pretty serious way. Would Trump be polling this well — better than he ever has before — were it not for these craven attempts to throw him in prison and seize his assets? I doubt it.

WATCH — Trump Lawyer Alina Habba: Democrats Are Using “Corrupt Methods” to Try to Beat Him

Matt Perdie / Breitbart News

 

Get a FREE FREE FREE autographed bookplate if you purchase John Nolte’s debut novel, Borrowed Time (Bombardier Books). 

 

 

Are You One of the Millions About to Have Cataract Surgery? Here’s What Ophthalmologists Say You Need to Know

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AP

(AP) – Cataract surgery is one of the most popular and commonly performed procedures in the world. The vast majority of patients have excellent outcomes with few complications.

Here are the numbers:

As ophthalmologists who have performed thousands of these procedures, we know that many patients have misconceptions about both cataracts and the surgery. For example, some think a cataract is a growth on the eye’s surface.

We like to compare a cataract with the frosted glass of a bathroom window, where light can be transmitted but details cannot. Or when turbulence from a storm causes normally clear water in the ocean to become murky. In much the same way, the eye’s once transparent lens becomes cloudy.

After surgery, there’s no bending, inversions, lifting or straining, high-impact activities or eye makeup for one to two weeks or until the doctor says it’s OK.

About the surgery

Cataract surgery removes the clouded lens of the eye and replaces it with a new, clear lens to restore your vision. Most patients report the procedure is painless.

It’s typically an elective surgery that is performed on an outpatient basis. The patient is often awake, under local anesthesia, with sedation similar to that used for dental procedures. We like to say patients receive the equivalent of three margaritas in their IV.

Numbing drops are then applied to the eye’s surface, along with an anesthetic inside the eye. Patients with claustrophobia, or movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, may not be suitable candidates for awake surgeries and require general anesthesia.

Before surgery, patients receive dilating drops to make the pupil as large as possible. The surgeon makes a tiny incision, usually with a small pointed scalpel, between the clear and white part of the eye to gain access to the lens capsule, a thin membrane similar in thickness to a plastic produce bag at the grocery store.

This capsule is suspended by small fibers called zonules, which are arranged like the springs that suspend a trampoline from a frame. The surgeon then creates a small opening in the capsule, called a capsulotomy, to gain access to the cataract. The cataract is then broken into smaller parts so they are removable through the small incision.

This is similar to a tiny jackhammer, breaking the large lens into smaller pieces for removal. That sounds scary, but it’s painless. Ultrasound emulsifies the lens and vacuum power then aspirates it from the eye.

Laser-assisted cataract surgery has been found to have similar outcomes to traditional cataract surgery.

Complications are rare

Serious complications, such as postoperative infection, bleeding in the eye or a postoperative retinal detachment are rare; they occur in approximately 1 in 1,000 cases. But even in many of these situations, appropriate management can salvage useful vision.

Capsular complications deserve additional discussion. According to some studies, they occur in up to 2% of cases. If a hole or tear of the posterior capsule is encountered during cataract surgery, the clear gel in the vitreous – the back chamber of the eye – may be displaced into the front chamber of the eye.

If that happens, the gel must be removed at the time of the cataract surgery. This will reduce the likelihood of additional postoperative complications, but those who have the procedure, known as a vitrectomy, have an increased risk for additional complications, including postoperative infections and postoperative swelling.

After the surgery

Patients usually go home right after the procedure. Most surgery centers require that the patient have someone drive them home, more for the anesthesia rather than the surgery. Patients begin applying postoperative drops that same day and must wear an eye shield at bedtime for a few weeks after surgery.

Patients should keep the eye clean and avoid exposure to dust, debris and water. They should try not to bend over and should avoid heavy lifting or straining in the first week or so after surgery. Lifting or straining can cause a surge of blood pressure to the face and eye. Known as a choroidal hemorrhage, it can lead to bleeding into the wall of the eye and be devastating to vision.

Things that cause only moderate increases in heart rate such as walking are OK. Routine postoperative examinations are usually completed the day after surgery, about a week after surgery and about a month after surgery.

Light and UV exposure, coupled with time, causes the lens of the eye to become increasingly cloudy.

A choice of lens

The plastic lens used to replace the cataract, or intraocular lens, requires careful sizing for optimal results and a nuanced discussion between patient and surgeon.

Early intraocular lens technologies were monofocal, and most patients with these lenses chose distance correction and used reading glasses for near tasks. This is still the preferred approach for approximately 90% of patients having cataract surgery today.

Recent advances have led to intraocular lenses that offer multifocality – the opportunity to have near as well as distance vision, without glasses. Some multifocal lenses are even in the trifocal category, which includes distance, near, and intermediate vision, the latter of which in recent years has become very important for computer and phone use.

Most patients with these advanced technology multifocal lenses are happy with them. However, a small percentage of patients with multifocal lenses can be so bothered by visual disturbances – notably night glare and halos around light sources in the dark – that they request removal of the multifocal lens to exchange it for a standard intraocular lens. These exchanges are a reasonable option for such situations and offer relief for most affected patients.

Determining who’s an ideal candidate for a multifocal intraocular lens is an area of active research. Most clinicians would recommend against such a lens for a patient with a detail-oriented personality. Such patients tend to fixate on the shortcomings of these lenses despite their potential advantages.

As with many technologies, current generation advanced technology intraocular lenses are much better than their predecessors. Future offerings are likely to offer improved vision and fewer side effects than those available today.

But these newer lenses are often not reimbursed by insurance companies and often entail substantial out-of-pocket costs for patients.

Deciding on what type of lens is best for you can be complicated. Fortunately, except in unusual circumstances, such as when a cataract develops after trauma to the eye, there is seldom a hurry for adult cataract surgery.

McClatchy & Gannett Reduce Reliance on AP; a Paradigm Shift in News Sourcing

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Gannett & McClatchy, have announced plans to scale back their reliance on The Associated Press, a longstanding provider of news reports and images. Photo Credit: APNews.com

McClatchy & Gannett Reduce Reliance on AP; a Paradigm Shift in News Sourcing

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a significant development within the media landscape, two prominent American newspaper chains, Gannett and McClatchy, have announced plans to scale back their reliance on The Associated Press (A.P.), a longstanding provider of news reports and images, according to a recently published report in the New York Times.  This move marks a notable departure from traditional news sourcing practices and underscores the evolving dynamics of the media industry.

Gannett, the largest newspaper company in the United States and publisher of USA Today, revealed its intention to cease utilizing articles, photos, and videos from The A.P. across its extensive network of publications. As was reported by the NYT, Kristin Roberts, Gannett’s chief content officer, highlighted the company’s robust internal journalism capabilities, stating, “Between USA Today and our incredible network of more than 200 newsrooms, we create more journalism every day than The A.P.” This assertion underscores Gannett’s confidence in its own editorial prowess and its commitment to fostering in-house content creation.

While Gannett will no longer rely on The A.P. for general news content, it will retain access to specific A.P. services, such as election data and the A.P. stylebook. Additionally, the report in the NYT indicated that Gannett has forged a partnership with Reuters, a rival news agency, to bolster its global news coverage as it transitions away from The A.P.

Lark-Marie Antón, a spokeswoman for Gannett, emphasized that this strategic shift will enable the company to allocate resources more effectively towards enhancing its newsrooms’ capabilities.

Following Gannett’s lead, McClatchy, which operates numerous newspapers including The Miami Herald and The Kansas City Star, announced its decision to also reduce its reliance on A.P. services. Kathy Vetter, McClatchy’s senior vice president of news and audience, informed editors that the company would discontinue certain A.P. services, with the feed ending on March 29 and no further A.P. content to be published after March 31, according to the information provided in the NYT report.  However, McClatchy will retain access to A.P.’s election results data, indicating a selective approach to severing ties with the news agency.

While McClatchy has identified replacements for most A.P. content, challenges remain in finding a universal solution for state ‘wires’ content. As was noted in the NYT report, the company’s decision underscores the complexities of balancing editorial priorities with fiscal responsibility in an ever-changing media landscape.

The actions taken by Gannett and McClatchy signal a broader trend within the media industry, reflecting a shift away from traditional news wire services towards greater self-sufficiency and strategic partnerships. This trend underscores the growing importance of proprietary content creation and the desire among media organizations to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Lauren Easton, a spokeswoman for The A.P., acknowledged the ongoing discussions with Gannett and McClatchy regarding their contracts, characterizing them as “productive and ongoing,” as was indicated in the NYT report.  Easton highlighted the challenges facing the news industry and emphasized The A.P.’s commitment to delivering fact-based journalism to news consumers nationwide.

Founded in 1846, The A.P. has evolved over the years, diversifying its revenue streams beyond traditional newspaper licensing fees.  The NYT report also pointed out that while fees from U.S. newspapers account for roughly 10 percent of The A.P.’s income, the loss of McClatchy and Gannett is not expected to have a material impact on its overall revenue, according to Easton.

France Raises Its Security Readiness to Highest Level After Attack in Russia, Worried About IS

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French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Israel on Tuesday. Credit: Alexandros ichailidis/Shutterstock.

(AP) — France’s government increased its security alert posture to the highest level Sunday after the deadly attack at a Russian concert hall and the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility.

French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced the decision in a post on X, saying authorities were “taking into account the Islamic State’s claim of responsibility for the (Moscow) attack and the threats weighing on our country.″

The announcement came after President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency security meeting prompted by Friday’s attack in a Moscow suburb that killed more than 130 people. The attack was claimed by an affiliate of the Islamic State group.

France has repeatedly been hit by deadly Islamic State attacks, including the Bataclan theater massacre in 2015 in which extremists opened fire on concert-goers and held hostages for hours. French troops have also fought against Islamic extremists in the Middle East and Africa.

France was already on high security alert ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this year, which are expected to draw millions of visitors to the country. Security concerns are notably high for the the exceptional opening ceremony July 26, which will involve boats riding along the Seine River and huge crowds watching from the embankments.