File: 43895985.png (44 KB, 500x284)

44 KB PNG

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/28/us/politics/james-comey-indictment.html

The Justice Department has secured a new indictment of James B. Comey, the former F.B.I. director, over a social media post, after a past indictment effort spurred by President Trump last year ended in failure, according to people familiar with the investigation.

The new case represents another twist in the department’s tortured efforts to satisfy the demands of Mr. Trump to pursue criminal charges against Mr. Comey, a longtime target of the president’s wrath.

The charge stems from an incident nearly a year ago, when Mr. Comey, vacationing on the North Carolina coast, posted a photograph on social media showing seashells arranged to say “86 47,” combining the slang term “86” often used to mean dismiss or remove in reference to Mr. Trump, the country’s 47th president.

Members of the administration, as well as Mr. Trump’s family, declared that the meaning of “86” was to kill, and that the message amounted to a threat to assassinate the president.

File: 1775178952871029.jpg (200 KB, 1080x1650)

200 KB JPG

The Federal Communications Commission is once again trying to muzzle those who poke fun at President Donald Trump.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr ordered early license reviews of Disney’s eight owned-and-operated ABC stations on Tuesday, according to Reuters, signaling a significant escalation in its battle with the media and free speech.

A source with knowledge of the development told NBC it’s “unprecedented.” The FCC is forcing Disney to reapply for licenses that don’t expire until at least 2028.

The move seems like clear retribution for a joke that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel made about Trump’s age, in which he described first lady Melania Trump as having the glow of “an expectant widow.”

Days later, an armed man opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner that the president was attending, prompting Melania Trump to demand that Disney’s subsidiary ABC fire Kimmel, who has insisted that the joke was “obviously ... about their age difference.”

The late-night host didn’t back down in his monologue on Monday, when he described the joke about the first couple as “a very light roast about the fact that he’s almost 80 and she’s younger than I am.”

“It was not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination,” he added. “And they know that. I’ve been very vocal for many years, speaking out against gun violence in particular.”

“I understand that the first lady had a stressful experience over the weekend, and probably every weekend is pretty stressful in that house. And also, I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject. I do,” Kimmel continued. “And I think a great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband about it.”

Comment too long. Click here to view the full text.

File: SEI_295093610-b896.jpg (74 KB, 585x550)

74 KB JPG

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/trump-urges-iran-sign-deal-after-report-suggests-us-may-extend-blockade-2026-04-29/
DUBAI/WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - Donald Trump discussed how to mitigate the impact of a possible months-long U.S. blockade of Iran's ports with U.S. oil companies, a White House official said on Wednesday, as the U.S. president urged Tehran to 'get smart soon' and sign a deal.
The talks with oil executives on Tuesday followed days of deadlock in efforts to resolve the conflict, which has led the U.S. to try to squeeze Iran's oil exports with a naval blockade to try to force it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping.
Trump, who has said Iran can call if it wants to talk, said the country "couldn't get its act together" in a post on Wednesday before details of Tuesday's meeting emerged.
"They discussed the steps President Trump has taken to alleviate global oil markets and steps we could take to continue the current blockade for months if needed and minimize impact on American consumers," the White House official said.
Oil prices rose almost 4% on Wednesday, with the Brent contract hitting a one-month high, after an initial report in the WSJ said the U.S. may extend its blockade.
Iran has pledged to continue disrupting traffic through the strait as long as it is threatened, which may mean more Middle East oil supply disruptions from the conflict, which has killed thousands and caused global economic upheaval.
Tehran warned on Wednesday of "unprecedented military action" against continued U.S. blockading of Iran-linked vessels. Trump has stressed repeatedly that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, while Tehran says its nuclear ambitions are peaceful.
"They don't know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They'd better get smart soon!" Trump said in the post, without explaining what such a deal would entail.
It featured a mock-up image of him in dark glasses and wielding a machine gun with the caption "No more Mr. Nice Guy."

File: XQRPAXOF4ZNC5NCU3AMX5TAMCI.jpg (203 KB, 960x641)

203 KB JPG

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-war-iran-has-cost-25-billion-so-far-says-pentagon-official-2026-04-29/
The war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far, a senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday, providing the first official estimate of the military's price tag for the conflict.
With just six months before mid-term elections in which Trump's Republicans may face an uphill battle to keep their House majority, Democrats are riding high in public opinion polls as they attempt to link the unpopular Iran war with affordability.
Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of the comptroller, told lawmakers on the House Armed Services Committee that most of that money was for munitions.
Hurst did not detail what that cost estimate included and whether it took into account the projected costs of rebuilding and repairing base infrastructure in the Middle East damaged in the conflict.
Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, responded to Hurst: "I'm glad you answered that question. Because we've been asking for a hell of a long time, and no one's given us the number."
The US started carrying out strikes against Iran on Feb. 28 and the two sides are currently maintaining a fragile ceasefire. The Pentagon has poured tens of thousands of additional forces into the Middle East, including keeping three aircraft carriers in the region.
Thirteen U.S. troops have been killed in the conflict and hundreds wounded.
Disruptions in shipments of oil and natural gas since the war started have caused a run-up in U.S. gasoline prices and agricultural products such as fertilizers, on top of the long list of other high consumer prices.
Trump's popularity has taken a beating since the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28 that has led to a surge in gasoline prices.
Just 34% of Americans approve of the U.S. conflict with Iran, down from 36% in mid-April and 38% in mid-March, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found.

File: IMG_20260430_004005.jpg (142 KB, 720x1008)

142 KB JPG

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4pxr0gr02o
Oil prices have soared following reports that the US is preparing for an "extended" blockade of Iran.

The global benchmark oil price, Brent crude, briefly hit $120 (£89) a barrel on Wednesday evening, its highest price since 2022.

The BBC understands that energy executives including Chevron chief executive Mike Wirth met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss how to limit the fallout from the conflict on American consumers.

Oil traders appear to have taken the meeting as a sign the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz will continue for a long time.

The executives discussed topics including domestic energy production, progress in Venezuela, oil futures, natural gas, and shipping, according to a White House official.

They described the meeting as being part of the President's regular meetings with energy executives to discuss their industry.

The meeting follows separate reports from the Wall Street Journal that US President Donald Trump has instructed aides to prepare to extend the ongoing blockade of Iran's ports, in an effort to squeeze the country's economy.


Comment too long. Click here to view the full text.

File: 1746577213118773.jpg (294 KB, 1080x1339)

294 KB JPG

President Donald Trump was seemingly the target of an assassination attempt on Saturday — yet millions of Americans believe the event was “staged.”

“Trump’s focus on his planned redecoration in the face of an apparent attempt on his life – the third in less than two years — has provoked a barrage of conspiracy theories,” wrote The Telegraph's Ed Cumming on Monday. Mere hours after Cole Thomas Allen allegedly tried to storm the White House Correspondents Dinner to shoot Trump, Trump called a press conference to demand completed construction of his proposed $400 million White House ballroom, Cumming pointed out, fueling the conspiracies.

“The most prominent is that Trump and his administration staged the attack to help shore up the ballroom project, which he hopes to have completed before he leaves office in early 2029,” Cumming reported. “Authorities have stated they believe Allen acted alone and left a ‘manifesto’ in which he clearly stated he wanted to target officials in the Trump administration. But according to a report by The New York Times, the term ‘staged’ appeared in more than 300,000 posts on Twitter by noon on Sunday.”

He added, “On Bluesky, the social media network with a more Left-wing user base, many posts simply stated ‘staged’. Several prominent accounts reshared theories — without evidence — that were skeptical of the official version of events.”

The skepticism is not limited to liberals. As Cumming pointed out, the flurry of supposed assassination attempts on Trump — as well as his habit of politically exploiting them to vilify his critics and push his agenda — has raised suspicions everywhere.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/27/trump-assassination-attempt-conspiracy-theory/

File: 1039103910455.jpg (14 KB, 303x335)

14 KB JPG

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/29/moscows-victory-day-parade-to-be-held-without-military-vehicles-for-first-time-in-nearly-20-years-a92631
Russia will not display military hardware in this year's parade commemorating 81 years since the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in WWII, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The event, typically marked with a bombastic show of military strength each year, is scheduled for May 9 in Moscow's Red Square.

Several military schools, cadet corps, "as well as the military hardware column, will not be participating in this year's military parade due to the current operational situation," the ministry said.

However, the parade is expected to include representatives of all branches of the Armed Forces, as well as videos showing servicemen "carrying out tasks in the special military operation zone," a reference to the war in Ukraine, it said.

An aerial display is also planned.

"During the aviation segment of the parade, aircraft of Russian aerobatic display teams will fly over Red Square, and at the conclusion of the parade, pilots of Su-25 ground attack aircraft will color the skies of Moscow in the colors of the flag of the Russian Federation," the ministry said.

Last year, more than two dozen world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, were in Moscow to watch a procession of thousands of troops and an array of weapons, including new tanks and drones.


Comment too long. Click here to view the full text.

File: d7153ba0-43c4-11f1-a0e9-f(...).jpg (93 KB, 800x450)

93 KB JPG

https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/c052j5qvnr2o

Di Nigerian govment don ask South African govment to protect Nigerians and oda black immigrants wey dey live for South Africa sake of di rise in xenophobic protests.

According to di Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (Nidcom), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, di tension for South Africa don dey get out of hand.

"While many expect say make di tensions go down following earlier engagements between both govments, di situation on di ground dey get worse", Abike tok.

Nidcom say di commission receive reports say "pupils wey be Nigerian dey fear to attend school, and genuine business owners dey fear to open dia shops sake of fear of targeted attacks, looting, and harassment".

All dis kasala begin afta viral videos capture wen groups of South Africans wey describe diasef as anti-immigration taskforce dey attack foreigners; harass some of dem and even assault odas.

Also, demonstrations for several cities wey include Cape Town, Durban and East London don turn violent, and reports of looting, property damage and injuries full ground.

For one video, about three men bin punch di face and head of one Ghanaian during di protest wen dem find say im be Ghanaian.

Comment too long. Click here to view the full text.

Nick Edser,Archie MitchellandJonathan Josephs,Business reporters
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4pxwlr52yo

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is quitting the Opec and Opec+ groups of major oil producing nations next month after nearly 60 years of membership.
The UAE said its decision would help it meet growing global energy demand in the long term after recent investments to boost its production capacity.
It is seen as a blow to the cartel, with one analyst describing the exit as "the beginning of the end of Opec".
The Gulf state's energy minister said being a country with no obligation under the groups would give it more flexibility.
The UAE's departure represents a win for US President Donald Trump, who has previously attacked Opec for "ripping off the rest of the world". In January he asked Saudi Arabia and other Opec nations to "bring down the cost of oil" and doubled-down on his threat to use tariffs.

File: c6bb75ce-ff14-4e37-b0f2-3(...).jpg (498 KB, 2083x1396)

498 KB JPG

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy2482pn0lo
Five former US officials, including a former top military lawyer, have criticised the Pentagon for not acknowledging potential American involvement in a deadly strike on an Iranian school earlier this year.

Some of those officials said it was highly unusual not to release even basic details of the strike after such a length of time.

A missile hit a primary school in Minab during the opening salvos of the US-Israeli war on February 28, killing 168 people including around 110 children according to Iranian officials.

In the two months since then the Pentagon has said only that the incident is under investigation.

US media reported in early March that US military investigators believed American forces were likely responsible for hitting the school unintentionally but had not reached a final conclusion.

Asked a series of questions by the BBC about the strike and the accusations of a lack of transparency, a Pentagon official said "this incident is currently under investigation," adding that more details would be provided when they became available.

The BBC has reviewed three historical cases in which civilians were killed during US military operations and in each case significantly more information had been released by the Pentagon within less than a month.


Comment too long. Click here to view the full text.

> A rule change pushed by White House officials would slash benefits or end support for as many as 400,000 Supplemental Security Income recipients with Down syndrome, dementia and other disabilities whose parents or relatives receive SNAP benefits.

https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-social-security-ssi-disability-benefits-cuts-parents-children

>Even a glance at Shy’tyra Burton’s life reveals her need for the sort of federal government assistance that helps disabled Americans stay in their homes. Born two months prematurely into a poor family in Philadelphia, unable to breathe or swallow without tubes and largely confined to medical facilities until age 4, Burton was diagnosed with a litany of developmental and intellectual disabilities that left her with an IQ below 70.

>She persevered and graduated from a high school special education program, then attempted community college. But she struggled to grasp basic tasks and information. She couldn’t get hired, including at McDonald’s. After multiple medical and psychological evaluations and a hearing before a judge, the federal government approved her for the Supplemental Security Income program, which provides a basic income to those with severe disabilities and to indigent older people.

>For Burton, now 22, the $994 monthly benefit is lifesaving but not enough to completely support herself on her own. So, like many SSI recipients, she has continued to live with her father, who makes around $2,000 a month as a Philadelphia sanitation worker.

https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-lone-wolf-self-radicalisation-was-mumbai-stabbing-incident-a-terror-attack-here-s-how-case-is-linked-to-religion-3208148

File: 1777221785748093.webm (284 KB, 1792x828)

284 KB WEBM

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/04/26/white-house-correspondents-dinner-security-status/
The White House correspondents’ dinner, attended by the president and several Cabinet members, was not given top security status that would have unlocked the full weight of federal security resources.

The Trump administration provided a lower level of security for the White House correspondents’ dinner than it has for other gatherings of high-ranking officials, even though the president and many Cabinet members were in attendance, according to officials familiar with the plan.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance were quickly evacuated to safety Saturday when a gunman charged the security perimeter and attempted to storm the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel. Others in attendance included Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The concentration of high-ranking leaders in one ballroom left the nation unusually vulnerable as the would-be assassin raced past Secret Service before he was apprehended. A worst-case scenario might have resulted in passing the power of the presidency to the senior-most senator of the majority party, Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who was not at the event and is third in line to the presidency behind Vance and Johnson.
When so many officials gather in one place for official functions such as an inauguration or State of the Union address, the secretary of homeland security typically puts the Secret Service in charge of coordinating all security through a formal designation known as a “National Special Security Event.”
There was no such designation on Saturday night at an event also attended by thousands of journalists and other government officials, according to local and federal officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss security details.

File: 1777082379566997.png (120 KB, 328x296)

120 KB PNG

>Thread theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BekKhIP0Jks

https://nypost.com/2026/04/26/us-news/read-whcd-gunman-cole-allens-full-anti-trump-manifesto/

Accused White House Correspondents’ Dinner gunman Cole Allen sent a sprawling, crazed manifesto to family members about 10 minutes before Saturday’s attack, sources told The Post.

The 1,052-word missive obtained by The Post Sunday morning — signed Cole ‘coldForce’ ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ Allen” — outlined his “rules of engagement” for the shooting and stated he believed it was his righteous duty to target administration officials.

Cole Allen’s manifesto in full:

> Hello everybody!

> So I may have given a lot of people a surprise today. Let me start off by apologizing to everyone whose trust I abused.

> I apologize to my parents for saying I had an interview without specifying it was for “Most Wanted.”

Comment too long. Click here to view the full text.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/26/security-gaps-allowed-gunman-within-100-yards-of-trump/

Trump gunman mocked ‘insane’ lack of security

Cole Allen expressed surprise over the ‘level of incompetence’ at event moments before opening fire

Cole Allen covered with a Mylar blanket after being arrested at the White House correspondents' dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel
Cole Allen after being arrested at the White House correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel

The alleged gunman behind the third assassination attempt on Donald Trump mocked the “insane” lack of security at the event, it has emerged.

Around 10 minutes before Cole Allen, a teacher from California, opened fire at the White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday evening, he sent an anti-Trump manifesto to his family, describing his surprise at the “level of incompetence” at the venue.

The 31-year-old, armed with a shotgun, handgun and multiple knives, stormed a security checkpoint at the Washington Hilton hotel and came within 100 yards (90m) of the US president.


Comment too long. Click here to view the full text.