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SpaceX Launches 23 Starlink Satellites on Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral – Space Travel Now

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SpaceX Launches 23 Starlink Satellites on Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral – Space Travel Now
SpaceX Launches 23 Starlink Satellites on Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral – Space Travel Now
On April 28, 2024, a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station launched 23 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. Image: Adam Bernstein/Space Travel Now

Following the European Commission's historic launch of a pair of Galileo satellites, SpaceX launched another set of its own Starlink high-speed Internet satellites. Sunday evening's Falcon 9 launch marked the 29th dedicated launch of Starlink satellites in 2024.

Starlink 6-54 mission liftoff from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) at 6:08 pm EDT (2208 UTC).

The Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting the mission, tail number B1076 in the SpaceX fleet, launched for the 13th time. It previously supported Ovzon 3, Intelsat IS-40e, SpaceX's 26th Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-26) flight and six Starlink missions.

Eight minutes after liftoff, B1076 landed on the SpaceX droneship, 'read instructions.' This is the 80th landing at JRTI and 301st booster landing till date.

In a social media post, SpaceX Vice President of Launch Kiko Dontsev noted that the team completed five hours of JRTI at Port Canaveral between the droneship's arrival and departure in support of the DroneShip 6-54 mission.

The 23 Starlink satellites add to the 5,874 currently in orbit, according to numbers tabulated on April 24 by astronomer and expert orbital observer Jonathan McDowell. Prior to this launch, 633 Starlink satellites have been launched in 2024.

On Wednesday, SpaceX announced that the Federated States of Micronesia, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean east of Australia, is the latest country to be added to the list of countries where Starlink service is available.

Dragon Departure

The Starlink 6-54 launch will begin its approximately 36-hour journey from the Florida coast to Splashtown, hours after the SpaceX cargo Dragon detaches from the International Space Station. Undocking took place at 1:10 pm EDT (1710 UTC).

Tuesday morning's splashdown will bring the CRS-30 mission to an end. It will be attached to the ISS for more than 30 days and will return with more than 4,000 pounds of science experiments.

Another important step is Boeing's first crewed mission to an orbital outpost using its Starliner spacecraft.

Before that launch can take place, SpaceX must move its crew Dragon Endeavor spacecraft from the forward-facing port to the space-facing port of the Harmony module. The maneuver is scheduled to take place on May 2.

The Douglas County Health Department is promoting tetanus vaccinations amid storm cleanup

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The Douglas County Health Department is promoting tetanus vaccinations amid storm cleanup

With thousands of volunteers raising their hands after Friday's tornadoes, the Douglas County Health Department is encouraging volunteers to stay safe. Violent tornadoes ravaged parts of Douglas County, increasing the risk of tetanus, Health Director Lindsey Hoos said. DCHD recommends that anyone involved in cleaning has received an up-to-date tetanus vaccination for at least 10 years. The tetanus vaccination clinic is being held Sunday, April 28 through May 2 at the Common Ground Community Center in Elkhorn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., DCHD said in a press release, in response to Friday's storms and victims. If children under 18 are vaccinated, younger children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. DCHD said if you get a minor injury like cuts or scrapes while volunteering, and it's been more than 5 years since your last vaccination, you should get an updated shot. For serious injuries or deep wounds, they recommend seeing a medical provider immediately for help. For more information visit douglascountyhealth.com.

With thousands of volunteers raising their hands after Friday's tornadoes, the Douglas County Health Department is encouraging volunteers to stay safe.

Violent tornadoes ravaged parts of Douglas County, increasing the risk of tetanus, Health Director Lindsey Hoos said.

DCHD recommends that anyone involved in cleaning has received an up-to-date tetanus vaccination for at least 10 years.

The Tetanus Vaccination Clinic will be held Sundays, April 28 through May 2 at the Common Grounds Community Center in Elkhorn from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In a press release, DCHD said Friday that the hospital is responding to the storms and victims.

Children 18 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian if they have received the vaccine.

DCHD said if you get a minor injury like cuts or scrapes while volunteering, and it's been more than 5 years since your last vaccination, you should get an updated shot.

For severe injuries or deep wounds, it is recommended to see a medical provider immediately for help.

For more information visit douglascountyhealth.com.

Biden took a swing at Trump during the White House Correspondents' Dinner as pro-Palestinian protesters rallied outside.

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Biden took a swing at Trump during the White House Correspondents' Dinner as pro-Palestinian protesters rallied outside.


Washington
CNN
—

President Joe Biden took jabs at his predecessor and poked fun at his own age at the annual ceremony White House Correspondents' Dinner A sizable group of pro-Palestinian protesters outside the stadium on Saturday underscored the problem he faces amid his campaign. Criticism of his handling The war in Gaza.

“Of course, the 2024 election is in full swing, and yes, age is an issue: I'm a grown man running against a 6-year-old,” Biden said, referring to former President Donald Trump, whom he called a “sleeper.” Dada.”

Speaking to a crowd of nearly 3,000 journalists, celebrities and politicians, Biden said, “The only thing we have in common is age. My vice president really supports me.

The president drew a contrast between his re-election campaign, which ramped up from his State of the Union address last month, and Trump, who has spent less time on his trail. Criminal Investigation in New York Related to alleged payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

“I had a great stretch from the State of the Union, but Donald has had some tough days lately,” Biden said. “You could call it 'stormy' weather.”

Another topic of the evening, Colin Jost On “Saturday Night Live,” he began his set on Trump's legal woes by asking, “Can we agree how refreshing it is to see the president of the United States on an event that doesn't start with bailing out, 'Wake up?'”

Jost mocked the age of both candidates: “I'm not saying either candidate is old, but you know Jimmy Carter is thinking, 'I can win this.'”

02:23 – Source: CNN

Watch Colin Jost roast Joe Biden and Trump

When Biden delivers These texts Earlier, the stakes were high for his last White House Correspondents' Dinner, following a tradition dating back to Calvin Coolidge. His approval rating is flagging, and voters and donors have raised questions about whether he has the mental acuity for the job. This year dinner also came Pro-Palestinian protests have erupted on college campuses across the country.

There were pro-Palestinian demonstrations Followed Biden around the country months, and Saturday was no different. As journalists and celebrities entered the Washington Hilton, protesters accused the president of handling the Israel-Hamas war and chanted, “Shame on you!” When urged to speak against Journalists killed in Gaza. Since Hamas' October 7 attacks, at least 97 journalists – 92 of them Palestinians – have been killed in the region. Committee to Protect JournalistsA non-profit organization that tracks death tolls.

“It's absolutely disgraceful that people attend this White House correspondents' party when journalists in Gaza call for a boycott. … Every single person there chooses to side with history, profit over freedom,” said Mimi Ziad, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement, one of the protest's organizers.

While Biden's speech touched on serious notes, including his emphasis on freedom of the press and the dangers to democracy of a second Trump presidency, the president did not mention the war in Gaza.

When Biden delivered remarks announcing the signing Important law Sending $61 billion in aid to Ukraine and $26 billion to Israel and Gaza had a new critic: Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-chairman of Biden's re-election campaign and onetime head of content studio DreamWorks.

Katzenberg has often advised Biden on messaging to donors and voters. This week, he was on hand to see how Biden delivered on scripted material — and helped the 81-year-old president deliver punchlines about him to reporters.

“He's a Hollywood guy,” an executive told CNN. “He's an entertainer.”

Katzenberg led daily strategy sessions with aides at the White House residence this week to tweak Biden's comedy repertoire, developed by longtime speechwriter Vinay Reddy, administration officials said.

The committee reached consensus a full day earlier than in previous years, forcing Western aides to dress for the event in the West Wing as their deadline neared.

The White House has sought to ensure that Jost spreads his views across the political spectrum and shared that concern with Kelly O'Donnell, president of the White House Correspondents' Association and senior White House correspondent for NBC News.

04:28 – Source: CNN

'It's the grace we're all here tonight': Jost delivers touching closing remarks

“Our dinner entertainment is most successful when it targets both parties and the national media,” O'Donnell told CNN. “It's been an ongoing part of our discussions behind the scenes at every step of this year's planning. That's the intent of the WHCA every year.

Biden in recent weeks Grumpy at TrumpMocking his hair, his social media company's stock price plummeting, and his Trump-named Bibles, the former president needs to take a breather from the coverage he's receiving during his criminal trial.

“I haven't had a chance to watch the court proceedings because I've been involved in the campaign,” Biden told supporters at a campaign reception in New York on Thursday.

While Biden increasingly uses humor to go after Trump, his default rhetorical style usually doesn't look for a punchline.

“He used the expression 'no joke, everybody' more than he told actual jokes,” said a former aide.

When it comes time to deliver a joke speech, writing it is usually a team affair, with jokes submitted from different parts of Biden's orbit. Katzenberg, in particular, urged Biden to include self-deprecating jokes about his age.

Employees — even those outside the speechwriting team — submit witty ideas, some of which make the speech, some of which are thrown away.

Biden, when he was vice president, sought outside help for his humorous speeches at the annual gridiron dinner and other light-hearted gatherings. Among Biden's returnees is John Max, a prolific writer on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” who has also written anchor material for dozens of Oscar ceremonies. One person who was involved in the process when Biden was vice president recalled the submission by Seth Meyers, head writer on “Saturday Night Live.”

While the dinners tend to be lighthearted affairs, Biden has alternated between funny and serious during earlier speeches, underscoring the event's broader political ramifications.

When Trump was a guest at a 2011 dinner, President Barack Obama mocked the then-reality television star, mocking the baseless and false “birther” conspiracy theory that Trump has been promoting.

“You didn't blame Lil' John or Meatloaf. You fired Gary Busey,” Obama said, joking about Trump's experience in tough situations. “These are the decisions that keep me awake at night.”

Obama said the line was the green light for the raid that would lead to Osama bin Laden's death shortly before attending the party. Many have speculated Obama's treatment of Trump at a 2011 dinner party inspired him to run for president. During Trump's tenure Did not participate dinner.

Asked before the weekend if Biden was looking forward to or dreading the dinner, a senior adviser insisted to CNN that the president enjoys the event because he wants to spend time with reporters.

But the adviser quickly added: “I don't think he would admit it.”

This story and topic have been updated with additional improvements.

Zendaya's 'Challengers' is a smash at the box office, with mixed reviews from the audience

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Zendaya's 'Challengers' is a smash at the box office, with mixed reviews from the audience
Getty/Amazon MGM Studios combination

Zendaya's 'Challengers'

Game, Set, Match at Box Office…

The audience seems conflicted

4/27/2024 5:00 PM PT

ZendayaGot a big win to celebrate … His new tennis movie “Challengers” is on pace to beat the competition at the box office — but audience reaction seems to be very mixed.

Deadline It reports that the film is headed for a $15.2 million opening … nearly doubling the next highest opener — that movie is called “Unsung Hero,” and the trade release says it's heading for an $8 million weekend.

However, the outlet tells the makers of “Challengers” to hold their horses … 'cause at $15 million, the film is a far cry from the $50+M budget it's carrying.

And, in case you're wondering … Deadline says PostTrak — a data company that talks to moviegoers as they leave the theater — confirmed that people are coming out to see Zendaya. They say that 55% of respondents came from her.

But it is not clear now whether those audiences enjoyed the film. According to Rotten tomatoes88% of critics enjoyed the film — more than 77% of audience members.

77% is still high… but — with a movie it's expected — one out of every 4 critics bombarding the film doesn't bode well for attracting future audiences.

Of course, many people know the film from the sexual tension in the trailer … including the scene where two men kiss Zendaya's neck. It's been on people's calendars for some time — and early viewers may have built up too much of this image in their heads.

Bottom line … this weekend's box office competition is over — but, some viewers are already labeling the film as a mistake!!!



© 2024 EHM Productions, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Will winning the confidence vote be enough to save Hamza Yusuf?

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Will winning the confidence vote be enough to save Hamza Yusuf?

Hamza Yousaf, Scotland's first minister, spends his weekends working on his political career.

The SNP leader is expected to make a series of policy announcements in the coming days as he tries to rally support.

He will set out plans to create jobs, tackle climate change and improve public services, BBC News reported.

Mr Yusuf could face two no-confidence votes next week – one in himself and the other in his government.

Mr Yusuf said he was determined to focus on “people's priorities”.

The First Minister has previously faced criticism from within her own party over the impact of the SNP and Greens' approach to economic and social policy.

Mr Youssef knows that, and his bid to regain control of a narrative that is in danger of spinning away from him begins in Dundee on Friday.

He should have given a speech in Glasgow on “The Labor Market in an Independent Scotland”.

Instead Mr Yusuf was walking around a building site, trying to look purposeful in a hard hat and high-visibility suit.

image source, Good pictures

image caption, Hamza Yusuf visited a building site in Dundee on Friday morning

“You ask people about housing and that's one of the main issues that comes to the door,” the First Minister told me.

Now, it's not the doormats he needs to convince. It is opposition politicians in the Scottish Parliament.

Holyrood has 63 Scottish National Party MSPs. There are 65 opposition MSPs.

If every opposition member voted against Mr Yusuf in a personal vote of confidence, he would lose and the political pressure to resign would be enormous, even though he would not be legally bound to do so.

If Mr Youssef can get any or all of the seven-strong Green Group to change their minds in opposing him, he may survive.

image source, Good pictures

image caption, The Scottish Greens have slammed Hamza Yusuf for ending their devolution deal.

Another option is to enlist the support of his former SNP leadership rival Ash Regan, who defected to Alex Salmond's Alpha party in October.

Mrs. Reagan is setting a price for her patronage — and it's rising.

First he called for effective government, a renewed focus on freedom and action to protect the “dignity, safety and rights of women and children”.

Later, Mrs Regan took action to secure the future of the Grangemouth refinery in the Firth of Forth.

Mr Youssef is writing to Holyrood leaders of all parties, offering meetings to discuss “how to make a minority government work”.

'Professional Respect'

Speaking to BBC News, Mrs Reagan indicated that was not enough.

He also revealed that he had not had a single conversation with Mr Yusuf since defeating him in the leadership race last spring.

Mrs Reagan said: “Some of the things he said about me last year when I was moving to a different political party showed that it's always wise to have that kind of professional respect for the people you work with.”

video title, Ash Regan says Hamza hasn't spoken to Yusuf in a year

Mr Youssef described his former rival's departure from the SNP as “not a particularly big loss”.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Central Scotland Green MSP Gillian Mackay backed the devolution deal, which was originally carried out in 2021 under Nicola Sturgeon.

“What the First Minister is essentially saying to us is, 'You're dumped, but can we still be friends?'

“I'm really, really sad,” Ms Mackay said, visibly in tears, adding: “We didn't want to be in this position, but the first minister put us here.”

From Mr Youssef, who said he sympathized with the ousted Green leaders Patrick Harvey and Lorna Slater from his government, there was a look of something close to regret about all that emotion.

He told me that he “didn't want to upset them” and that he understood why they were so angry.

Will he apologize in a letter to them?

'Election Hell'

In any case, back channels between the SNP and the opposition are already open.

Wheeling and dealing is going on.

After the Bute House deal collapsed, he described it as “a Faustian deal which would have sent us to the gates of electoral hell”.

How he won over the likes of Mr Ewing, Mrs Regan and former SNP Finance Secretary Kate Forbes to become leader.

To put it more bluntly: How can he survive a narrow confidence vote after a week of turmoil?

According to another senior source close to Mr Yusuf the answer was brutal – “He can't.”

Pro-Palestinian protests continue on college campuses across America

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4:15 pm ET, April 26, 2024

UT Austin Places Palestine Solidarity Committee on “Interim Suspension.”

From CNN's Ashley Gillow

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with Texas Department of Public Safety officials at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, April 24.

Jordan Wonderhaar/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The University of Texas at Austin has placed the Palestine Solidarity Committee on “interim suspension,” according to university spokesman Brian Davis.

“To be clear, the group is on interim suspension. The individuals are not. The length of the suspension is determined by the Dean of Students' Office,” Davis said in a statement.

The group that organized Wednesday's event, which was met with a large police presence, released a statement on Instagram Friday calling the suspension “an attack on freedom of speech to deflect and enable Israel's genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people!”

CNN clarifies what the interim suspension is for the team. The PSC plans to hold a vigil next Monday, but it is unclear if it will go ahead. CNN has reached out to members of the board about the suspension.

The university is standing by its decision to bring in law enforcement to prevent Wednesday's rally from moving forward, resulting in more than 50 arrests and several clashes between police and students. The Office of the Dean of Students issued a letter to the PSC on Tuesday, warning that the event was not authorized and that the group would face disciplinary action, including suspension, if it continued.

Terms such as “occupying turf” were used in the group Advertisement posts For Wednesday's event, PSC members told CNN they never intended to set up camps on the lawn or stay overnight. Schedule For an event that includes study breaks and tutorials.

On Thursday, the university's president, Jay Hartzell, issued a statement saying the school tried to shut down the event because “we had credible indications that the organizers of the event, national or local, were trying to follow the pattern we see elsewhere using the apparatus. Free speech and expression has been a long-standing threat to a campus.” severely disruptive.”

Hartzell also noted that 26 of the 55 people arrested were people with no connection to the university.

Hartzell said 13 pro-Palestinian events have taken place in recent months without incident, including another on the university campus Thursday afternoon.

Arizona respondent Christina Bobb is a key member of the RNC's Election Integrity Team

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When conservative attorney and media personality Christina Pop became the latest member of Donald Trump's inner circle to be indicted for her role in trying to sway the results of the 2020 presidential election, it became immediately clear that she didn't have to quit her day job: Senior Counsel for the Republican National Committee's Election Integrity Committee.

To some, it's a certain irony — if not an outright irony — that someone who makes false claims that the 2020 election is riddled with fraud is playing a key role in the national GOP's efforts to preserve the integrity of the 2024 vote.

But not for Pope, and not for his closest associates — including Trump, who, through a spokesman, endorsed Pope by name as the only one of the 18 people indicted in Arizona on Wednesday. If anything, Bob's accusation cements his identity as a devoted Trump loyalist who fought hard to reverse his loss in a politically competitive state and raised his stake within the RNC to help him win in November.

“Another example of Democrats weaponizing the legal system,” said spokesman Steven Cheung. “Christina Popp is a former Marine Corps officer who served our country and the President with distinction. The Democratic Party's platform for 2024: If you can't beat 'em, try to put 'em in jail.

An Arizona grand jury on Wednesday indicted seven attorneys or aides associated with Donald Trump's 2020 presidential campaign and 11 Arizona Republicans who tried to get the state's electoral votes for Trump despite Joe Biden's victory. All, including Bob, face criminal charges related to their alleged efforts to subvert the decision. Other defendants include former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows and attorneys Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Ellis and John Eastman, as well as campaign aides Boris Epstein and Mike Roman. Trump and others were named as unindicted co-conspirators.

A preliminary hearing for all the defendants is scheduled for May 21, a person familiar with the matter said, requesting the date not be released.

It's the fourth election-interference case brought by state or district attorneys against Trump associates, but the first against Bob, a Marine Corps lawyer and former judge who served as executive secretary of the Department of Homeland Security under Trump. Office then began a second stint as a reporter for the conservative network One America News. He volunteered to help Trump's legal team after the 2020 election and became an advocate for false claims of election fraud. While working for OAN, he focused heavily on a widely discredited post-election review of more than 2 million votes cast in Arizona's most populous state. Bob later wrote a book, “Stealing Your Vote: The Inside Story of the 2020 Election and What It Means for 2024.”

Bob has been dragged into an unrelated federal investigation into alleged illegal handling of classified documents after Trump left the White House. As the custodian of some of those records, Bob signed a document saying he was told “a diligent search” was conducted on boxes of records sent from the White House to Florida when Trump left office.

According to the Arizona indictment, Bob advocated an electoral strategy in key battlegrounds where Trump lost. He also encouraged Trump's electors to visit, vote for Trump, and send certified records of their votes to Washington, allowing Congress to count Trump's electoral votes instead of Biden's.

On January 6, 2021, Bob testified to a House committee investigating the attack on the US capitol that he only heard about the election plan that voters had met “a little while ago, probably a day or two ago”.

According to a December 12, 2020, email from Bob to the Trump campaign director, He participated in a campaign phone call that day in which plans to meet with random voters in seven states won by Biden, including Arizona, were discussed. The email was released as part of a House committee investigation.

“Here are my notes from the call,” Bob wrote, then listed the state of voter recruitment in each of the seven states.

“Arizona – all 11 electors ready to meet Monday,” he wrote. “There will be Kelly Ward. Access should not be a problem. AZ law does not require a specific location, so they can change location if the building closes.

During that time Bob interacted with several Republicans, in some cases sharing claims of fraud or improprieties that were ultimately proven false.

“On December 14th, the states of Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia designate Democratic electors to vote for Biden,” Pope wrote to campaign officials on December 13, 2020. “Each of these states has clearly demonstrable evidence of voter fraud significant enough to change the outcome of the election.

Jan. 6, 2021, at the campaign's informal headquarters at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., as Trump-supporting mobs stormed the U.S. Capitol, where Bob stood with Giuliani.

Bob declined an interview request from the Post.

Bob moved into his new role at the RNC in March, shortly after the Trump campaign cleaned house among the GOP's top political team, firing longtime operatives and encouraging others to leave voluntarily. He's part of a new department within the RNC that includes lawyers and political operatives focused solely on election integrity. Their jobs include making sure state and local election officials are following the law — and filing lawsuits where they believe they aren't — and training tens of thousands of activists to volunteer as volunteers and poll observers in battleground states.

“Having its own permanent department within the RNC is a real game changer,” said Josh Helton, an attorney and senior adviser on election integrity for the RNC, in a February podcast. Helton did not respond to a request for comment this week. provides.”

Some who left said they feared the party's new electoral-integrity move, particularly among populists, would lead them to embrace baseless conspiracy theories that would alienate more moderate Republicans.

“That's a bad job,” Robin Vos, the Republican speaker of the Wisconsin Legislature, said in a televised interview about Pope's new job. “Christina Pop is part of a fringe element that I don't think will help build credibility not just in our party, but in the entire country.”

Former senior Trump adviser Stephen K. Bannon said in an interview Thursday that he recommended to the Trump team that Bob and others with strong ties to the election integrity movement be hired at the RNC. Willingness to fight – Someone who is going to contest elections everywhere.

Bannon said that by having direct access to Trump by phone, Bob would be a direct link between the RNC and the former president, taking his input and sharing internal strategy with him. But it could cut both ways if Pop pushes toward legal scrutiny of the party's election integrity measures, several GOP operatives said candidly on condition of anonymity.

Until 2018, the RNC operated under a federal consent decree that barred the committee from Election Day activities resulting from 1982. Democrats have accused the group of trying to discourage black voters from voting through targeted mailers and stationing armed, off-duty officers at polling stations in minority neighborhoods.

“What we're worried about is that Christina Popp goes rogue and does something dumb and we're thrown back into the confirmation decree,” said one GOP strategist.

If volunteers or campaign workers misbehave, “Mark Elias and his well-funded allies are going to try to get the endorsement back, and that's something we should all be worried about,” another GOP operative said, referring to the Democratic election lawyer.

However, another activist said the new group is well aware of that risk and plans to carefully train activists to avoid legal trouble. The reason the party has built such a large electoral-integrity operation is because the mandate of consent has expired. Nobody wants to blow it, the person said.

Last Friday, the party announced plans to recruit 100,000 activists across the country to work as poll observers, poll workers or lawyers who can watch or participate in the election process. Already, the party has more than 75 cases pending against election administrators across the country challenging or defending various election norms.

The operation targets seven key battleground states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

“President Trump has said that the Republican victory in November must be too big to be rigged,” RNC attorney Charlie Spies said in a statement at the time of the announcement. “The Political Caucus will work to ensure a huge victory for Republicans at all levels, and the RNC is committed to ensuring that Legislature cannot rig victory.”

Meanwhile, plenty of Trump allies are rallying around Pope. “This is a bogus, bulls— allegation,” said senior Trump campaign adviser Chris Lacivita. “Christina Popp served her country with honor as a United States Marine Corps officer, served her President and is an expert in dealing with election integrity.”

Sundar Pichai confirmed that Alphabet Inc is going to return a dividend of $70 billion for the first time.

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Sundar Pichai confirmed that Alphabet Inc is going to return a dividend of billion for the first time.

On Thursday, Alphabet Inc., the company behind Google, spilled the beans that it will begin paying a dividend of 20 cents per share to all shareholders.

Google and Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai speaks at Stanford University in Stanford, California on April 03, 2024. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

It's a key part of the company's financial agenda, which includes a $70 billion share buyback plan instead of making new investments. After its first-quarter earnings came out, Google saw its shares rise 15%. The news came directly after Alphabet's financial results were released.

Our results in the first quarter reflect strong performance: alms

HD Cricket-It introduces a one-stop destination to catch cricket anytime, anywhere. Explore now!

Alphabet Inc is now set to follow Meta's path in history with a format dividend announcement in February.

“Our results in the first quarter reflect the strong performance of Search, YouTube and Cloud. We are well into our Gemini era and there is great momentum throughout the company. Our leadership in AI research and infrastructure and our global product footprint position us well for the next wave of AI innovation,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc and Google.

Read more Alphabet Q1 Results: Google parent company's revenue is $67.6 billion

Alphabet's strong financial position, with $108 billion in cash and marketable securities at the end of March 2024, provides a solid foundation for such shareholder-friendly moves.

The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy because it coincides with the one-year anniversary of Alphabet's previous one-size-fits-all share repurchase authorization.

Alphabet's dividends will be distributed among all classes of shares, ensuring that super voting Class B shareholders and non-voting Class C shareholders are included.

Notably, most Google investors own Class A shares.

The dividend is scheduled to be paid to all shareholders from June 10, and the distribution will occur in the same month.

The implications of this dividend are substantial for Alphabet's co-founders

Sergey Brin, who owns more than 730 million Class B and C shares, is set to receive a staggering $146 million payout.

Larry Page, with 389 million Class B shares, will pay a $78 million dividend.

The technology sector is under scrutiny as investors look for signs of maturity and stability. Starting in 2022, big tech companies are starting layoffs and tightening their belts financially. These austerity measures have been well received by investors, who have responded positively to the launch of share buybacks and dividends.

Read more Google Doodle Celebrates Phase 2 Voting with Voting Icon

Meta's dividend announcement earlier this year sent its shares up more than 14%.

Amazon doesn't pay a dividend or authorize a stock buyback on Google's scale. A $10 billion endorsement in 2022 is Amazon's biggest buyback yet.

The e-commerce giant is expected to report its first-quarter earnings on Tuesday.

news / World news / American News / Sundar Pichai confirmed that Alphabet Inc is going to return a dividend of $70 billion for the first time.

What Matty Healy's Mom Has to Say About Taylor Swift's TTPD

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What Matty Healy's Mom Has to Say About Taylor Swift's TTPD

“Loml”: On this moving track, Taylor first sings about calling the love of one's life “about a million times.” However, the dynamic soon changed.

“If you know it at a glance, it's legendary,” he notes. “What we thought was temporary all along.”

She ends the song by letting the man know, “You're the loss of my life.”

Although possibly about her long relationship with Joe, the lyrics about “rekindled flames” and “we're just kids, kids” hint at her glow with Matty after all these years: “I've never felt a glow like that. Never since.”

“I Can Do It With a Broken Heart”: The song appears to be Taylor's slaying of her Eras tour despite the heartbreak, as she notes that she “hit my marks” on stage in front of a chanting crowd. She puts on a strong face and hides her emotions: “The lights, the camera, the peachy smile.”

Although the song is upbeat, it is full of unrequited love lyrics.

“I'm so mad at him, but he avoids me like the plague / I cry so much, but I'm so productive, it's an art,” she sings. “You know you're good when you do it even with a broken heart.”

“The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived”: Taylor has some questions about “the tiniest man who ever lived,” and she left their relationship out of nowhere.

“You took out the stage lights, but you're still performing,” she sings. “And in plain sight you hid / But what you did.”

The SNP's devolution deal with the Scottish Greens has collapsed

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The SNP's devolution deal with the Scottish Greens has collapsed
  • By Mary McCool & Craig Williams
  • BBC Scotland News

video title, The Scottish Greens say the devolution decision shows the SNP is “caving in to reactionary forces”.

The First Minister has ended the SNP's power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens.

The move follows the government's decision to scrap climate targets and suspend the prescribing of puberty blockers for under-18s.

The Conservative Party has said it will hold a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Hamza Yusuf.

That could come as early as next week and Mr Yusuf faces calls to call an election.

The SNP is now a minority government and needs the support of opposition MSPs to approve its plan in the Scottish Parliament.

The SNP has 63 of the 129 seats in Holyrood, two short of an overall majority, with the Greens on 7, the Scottish Conservatives on 31 and Labor on 22.

The Speaker of Parliament is expected to uphold the status quo in the event of a tie vote.

Former SNP member Ash Regan now sits as an MSP for the Alpha Party.

He is said to be writing to the First Minister outlining his concerns about the Scottish Government's priorities and asking if there are areas where his party and the SNP can work together.

Alex Salmond, a former First Minister and leader of the Alpha Party, said Mr Yusuf had made Mrs Regan “the most powerful MSP in the Scottish Parliament”.

'Future generations sold out'

The conclusion of the Bute House deal began with an early morning meeting between Mr Yusuf and the co-leaders of the Scottish Green Party, Patrick Harvey and Lorna Slater.

They were seen leaving Bute House, the First Minister's official residence in Edinburgh, ahead of an emergency cabinet meeting.

First Minister Hamza Yusuf said he had formally notified Ms Slater and Mr Harvey that the agreement signed by both parties was terminated following the Holyrood election in 2021.

The two Green politicians immediately quit their junior ministerial posts in exchange for their party's support for the SNP-led government.

The Greens later claimed the SNP had “sold out future generations”.

video title, The SNP's devolution deal with the Greens collapsed

A spokesman for the first minister said Mr Yusuf briefed his cabinet for an hour at 08:30 and his colleagues “enthusiastically approved the position” and pounded the table to show their support.

At a press conference later at Bute House, Mr Yussoff thanked his former colleagues for their contribution to the Scottish Government and said the SNP wanted to work with the Greens “where we can” and “in the national interest”.

“The Bute House Agreement was designed to provide stability to the Scottish Government and it has made many achievements possible,” he said.

“But it has served its purpose – it no longer guarantees a stable arrangement in Parliament.

“The events of recent days have made that clear, so after careful consideration I believe a different arrangement should be pursued in the interests of the people of Scotland.”

Mr Harvey had previously said he would step down as co-chairman if the party voted to end the deal, but on Thursday he said his position was a discussion for another day.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament's garden lobby, Mr Harvey said the First Minister's decision was a “total U-turn from recent days”.

Asked if the party would co-operate with the government in negotiating the next Holyrood budget, he replied: “Do you think the current government will still be there in the next budget?”

video title, Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvey, co-leaders of the Scottish Greens, have left Put House.

Bute House accused the end of the deal as “an act of political cowardice by the SNP” and the party “selling out future generations”.

He also said he believed Green members would support the party staying in government if the referendum had gone ahead.

He said: “Neither they nor SNP members will have that chance. Instead, the very reactionary and reactionary-looking forces in the First Minister's party have forced her to do the opposite of what she says is in the interests of Scotland.

“In contrast we as co-leaders of the Scottish Greens are prepared to put our own political lives with our members to defend our achievements in government, putting up with everything SNP backbenchers and others have thrown at us.”

The relationship between the two parties came to a head last week after SNP Energy Secretary Mairi McAllen announced that Scotland's target of cutting carbon emissions by 75% from 1990 levels by 2030 had not been met and would be scrapped.

This sparked outrage from many grassroots Green members.

Mr Harvey said the move had left the party “under pressure” and young trans people may now “not be able to access the treatment they need”.

The first minister said on Saturday she respected the power-sharing deal with the Greens: “I think we've achieved a lot together in government. I want to achieve a lot more.”

When asked if he could lead a minority government soon, Mr Yusuf replied: “I don't think that will happen”.

image source, Twitter/Reuters

image caption, Green is First Minister with co-leaders Patrick Harvey and Lorna Slater

Speaking at First Minister's Questions on Thursday, Green MSPs sat quietly with their heads bowed as Mr Yusuf defended the bipartisan record in government.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross accused the first minister of “panic before the radical Greens threw him out” and said he would hold a vote of no confidence in the first minister.

It is not yet known whether the Greens will back Mr Rose in a no-confidence vote, which will not take place until next week at the earliest.

Mr Ross said Mr Yusuf had “abandoned the platform he stood on”, adding: “Now he says it's a new beginning, but in reality it's the beginning of the end. Isn't Hamza Yusuf a lame duck First Minister?”

'Weak, divided and inefficient'

Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar said it was “time to end this circus” and called for an election.

He said: “The challenges facing our country have never been greater, but Scotland's government has never been worse and its leadership has never been weaker.

“The people of Scotland can see the SNP have lost their way: weak, divided and incompetent. Putting party before country.”

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have also said they want an election.

Mr Harvey told parliament the SNP could no longer rely on Green votes in parliament and asked Mr Yussoff who made him happier – Mr Rose, SNP rebel Fergus Ewing or Alex Salmond, the former SNP leader and now First Minister of the Alpha Party.

Which of them does he think can be trusted for a majority in Parliament now?

video title, The decision-making power of Parliament is 'in the hands of the Alpha Party'.

Former SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes – a vocal critic of the SNP-Greens partnership – X previously said on Twitter that she believed the government was most effective “when its priorities match those of the public” and the SNP was “more electable”. Broad Tabernacle, Representative of the Nation”.

He added: “Amidst all the differing opinions within the SNP about this decision [the Bute House Agreement] With FM, some were delighted and others, it's worth reminding ourselves of our core aims: to serve the people of Scotland, end inequality, eradicate poverty, govern well and pursue prosperity like other Indian nations.”

SNP MP Joanna Cherry, another critic of the Bute House deal, said the deal's outcome was a “huge opportunity” to reset the SNP's agenda in government.

He posted on X: “With identity politics and virtue signaling. With policies to tackle the bread and butter issues our constituents bring to their doorsteps.”

Former First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Alpha Party, Alex Salmond, said Hamza Youssef had replaced Alpha's Ash Regan as “the most powerful MSP in the Scottish Parliament”.

Speaking to the BBC after the SNP's devolution deal with the Greens collapsed, Mr Salmond said the First Minister had managed to annoy every opposition party in Holyrood.

Mrs Regan, Alba's only MSP, is writing to the first minister to ask her about the Scottish Government's priorities and whether there are areas where her party and the SNP can work together ahead of the confidence vote.

The SNP government cannot guarantee Yusuf will win next week's confidence vote.

If all the opposition MSPs unite against the Prime Minister, he will lose.

Strictly speaking, the vote is not binding but politically he is more or less forced to resign.

Parliament will have 28 days to accept a successor, otherwise an early election will be held.

So how can Mr Yusuf avoid this situation?

If the Greens cool off next week and abstain rather than vote against him – or switch to some opposition MSP.

The SNP has 63 MSPs. Their opponents have 65. If there is a variable for the government, the presiding officer (equivalent to the Commons Speaker) can result in an expected tie that supports no change.

Alpha MSP Ash Regan is expected to write to the First Minister in terms of his support.

If his vote or at least two MSPs don't vote or sit on their hands, Hamza Yusuf's political survival will be in serious doubt.

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