#ap tourism

[mylavenu99]

Ap Tourism-26 Best Tourist Places Visit in Ap            

Andhra Pradesh, located in southern India, boasts a diverse range of tourism destinations. From the magnificent Araku Valley to the ancient ruins of Hampi and the serene beaches of Visakhapatnam, the state offers a rich tapestry of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Araku

Araku, nestled in the Eastern Ghats of India's Visakhapatnam district, is a captivating valley celebrated for its awe-inspiring landscapes, abundant greenery, and vibrant cultural heritage. With its lush coffee plantations producing exquisite Arabica coffee, Araku beckons visitors to savor its flavors and explore its bountiful beauty.

The valley's indigenous tribes preserve their unique customs and craftsmanship, showcased in the Araku Tribal Museum. From the enchanting Borra Caves to the cascading Chaparai Waterfalls and panoramic Galikonda Viewpoint, Araku offers a tapestry of natural wonders. Whether trekking the trails, immersing in local markets, or witnessing traditional dances, Araku presents an unforgettable escape.

Vishakhapatnam

Rushikonda Beach

Rushikonda Beach, located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, is a beloved coastal getaway. With its golden sands, clear waters, and verdant hills, it provides a serene and scenic retreat. The beach offers an array of water sports, including jet skiing, parasailing, and surfing, ensuring thrilling adventures for enthusiasts. Safety is prioritized with lifeguards on duty and well-maintained facilities such as restrooms and food stalls. Visitors can also relish captivating sunrise and sunset views, explore nearby nature trails, and discover attractions like Kailasagiri Hill Park and the Submarine Museum.

Yarada Beach

With the Bay of Bengal on one side and hills on the other, Yarada Beach is a captivating location. Its lush greenery and soft golden sands create a picturesque setting. Located 15 km from Visakhapatnam, it remains relatively uncrowded, ensuring a safe and clean beach experience. The serene atmosphere and stunning sunrise and sunset views make it perfect for nature lovers. The beach offers a backdrop of surreal hills, coconut, and banana plantations, providing a peaceful escape from the city.

Kailasagiri

Kailasagiri is a captivating hill park located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Situated atop a hill, it offers breathtaking views of the city and the Bay of Bengal. The park is adorned with lush greenery, beautifully manicured gardens, and statues depicting Hindu mythological characters. Visitors can enjoy a joyful ride on the ropeway that takes them to the hilltop, where they can explore the park, relax in the serene surroundings, and indulge in local snacks at the food stalls.

Burra Caves

The Borra Caves, nestled in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley in Visakhapatnam district, are a marvel of nature. These limestone caves were formed as river waters flowed through the area, creating stunning speleothems of various sizes. With an elevation of 705 meters, they are among the largest caves in India and boast a depth of 80 meters, making them the deepest in the country. Sunlight and darkness interplay, producing mesmerizing shapes and patterns. The caves' natural skylights add a touch of color and enchantment.

Lambasingi

Lambasingi, often referred to as the "Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh," is a quaint hill station located in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Known for its cool climate and scenic beauty, Lambasingi offers a refreshing escape from the hot plains. The mist-laden hills, lush green valleys, and orange orchards create a picturesque landscape. It is also famous for experiencing sub-zero temperatures during winter, making it the only place in southern India to witness snowfall.

Maredumilli

Maredumilli is a serene forest destination nestled in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Known for its abundant greenery and untouched natural beauty, Maredumilli is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The region is home to dense forests, gushing waterfalls, and scenic trekking trails that offer breathtaking views. It is also known for its rich biodiversity, housing various flora and fauna species. Visitors can explore the enchanting ECO Park, take a dip in the cool waters of Bhupathipalem Reservoir, or embark on a thrilling bamboo rafting experience.

Amaravathi

Amaravathi, known as the Capital of Andhra Pradesh, is a planned city situated on the banks of the River Krishna. The city is famous for its Buddhist Stupa, a semi-hemispherical structure that houses Buddhist relics and is often referred to as the Abode of God. Located 32 kilometers north of Guntur District, Amaravathi is a significant pilgrimage and sightseeing destination. The city boasts a riverfront of 217 kilometers and is designed to have 51% green spaces. Amaravathi was declared the capital after the separation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Gandikota

Gandikota, lovingly referred to as the 'Grand Canyon of India,' is a charming village in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. It is renowned for its stunning gorges formed by the River Pennar cutting through the Erramala Hills. Resembling the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona, the narrow valleys, flowing streams, and steep rocky walls captivate visitors. The village's highlight is the ancient Gandikota Fort, built in the 13th century.

Titupathi

The Lord Venkateshwara Temple at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district, is well-known as one of the world's busiest pilgrimage destinations.The temple, also known as Tirumala Temple or Tirupati Balaji Temple, is situated on Tirumala Hills. Believed to be where Lord Venkateshwara manifested as an idol, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his form as Venkateswara. Tirupati is an ancient city mentioned in sacred texts like Vedas and Puranas. The temple offers the famous Tirupati Laddu as prasad and is known for the ritual of tonsuring heads as an offering.

Vijayawada

Vijayawada, nestled on the banks of the River Krishna in Andhra Pradesh, is a vibrant city that serves as the commercial, political, and media capital of the state. As the second-largest populated city, Vijayawada blends the old and the new seamlessly. The city is adorned with hills, canals, and numerous rock-cut temples, which add to its charm. Visitors can explore attractions like Bhavani Island, Victoria Museum, Hazratbal Mosque, Rajiv Gandhi Park, and Kolleru Lake, as well as nearby places like Undavalli Caves, Kondapalli Fort, and Mangalagiri Hill.

Ananthapur

Anantapur, the headquarters of Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh, is a town that bridges the gap between the past and the future. It echoes with the echoes of India's rich history and upholds the true essence of the country's ethnic traditions. Despite being a town in transition, Anantapur preserves its cultural values while embracing progress. Known for receiving the second-lowest rainfall in India, the town has witnessed the reign of various empires, with the Vijayanagar Empire leaving a significant impact.

Srisailam

Srisailam, a hill town in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, holds great religious significance as it is home to the holy Malikarjuna Jyotirlinga and one of the eighteen Shakti Peethas of goddess Parvati. Nestled on the banks of the Krishna River, Srisailam also boasts a wildlife sanctuary and a dam. The city is adorned with majestic temples, including the Sikhareswara Swamy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and the renowned BhramarambaMallikarjunaswamy Temple, perched at an elevation of approximately 457 meters above sea level. The Nallamala forest ranges, with their diverse flora and fauna, add to the natural beauty surrounding the hills of Srisailam.

8)   Ananthagiri Hills 

Ananthagiri Hills, nestled in the Eastern Ghats, provides a serene and captivating retreat just 90 kilometers away from Hyderabad city. With its ancient caves, temples, and medieval fort palaces, the hill town offers glimpses into its rich history. It is a haven for trekkers, boasting some of the best trekking trails in the region. The beauty of Ananthagiri Hills is truly enchanting, with its stunning landscapes, aromatic coffee plantations, and vibrant flora.

Kurnool Tourism

Kurnool, a small town in Andhra Pradesh, holds great historical significance and is often referred to as The Gateway of Rayalaseema. It is a place where traces of the past can be witnessed in various forms. The ruins of Gopal Raju's palace, a Vijaynagar Empire-era fort covered in ancient Persian and Arabic inscriptions, and the 16th-century summer palace built by the Kurnool lords are all evidence of the city's lengthy past. The name Kurnool is derived from Kandanavōlu or Kandanōlu, signifying a crossing point on the Tungabadra River where the caravan wheels were believed to have been greased.

Lepakshi Tourism

Lepakshi, a serene village in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district, is a treasure trove of history and culture. Founded in the 16th century by Maharaja Aliya Rama Raya, it boasts remarkable archaeological sites, ancient temples, and a vibrant local heritage. The village's name, meaning 'rise o bird' in Sanskrit, carries a mythical connection to the Ramayana. Lepakshi Temple, known for its Vijayanagara-style architecture and hanging pillars, is a sight to behold. The temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Veerabhadra showcase intricate carvings and Kannada inscriptions. The monolithic granite Nandi Bull stands as a remarkable testament to Lepakshi's artistic brilliance.

Rajahmundry Tourism

A significant city in Andhra Pradesh, Rajahmundry, or Rajamahendravaram, is located on the banks of the revered River Godavari.It holds the distinction of being the largest city in the East and West Godavari District. DhavaleshwaramBarrage is the famous in Rajahmundry.

Horsley Hills

Horsley Hills, located near the border of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, is a charming hill station often referred to as the "Ooty of Andhra." Situated at an impressive altitude of 1,290 meters, it offers mesmerizing landscapes and captivating beauty. Also known as YenugullaMallamma Konda, this place boasts the largest Banyan tree and the oldest Eucalyptus Tree. It is surrounded by dense forests, harboring a diverse range of bird species. Horsley Hills not only provides a serene escape but also offers adventure sports and activities like trampoline, shooting, wall climbing, swimming pool, and even a mini zoo.

Srikalahasti Tourism

Srikalahasti, situated in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district, is a revered holy city renowned for its iconic Srikalahasti temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple holds immense significance as one of South India's most important Shiva temples, with its roots tracing back to the Pallava dynasty.

. The Srikalahasteeswara Temple, BharadwajaTirtham, Durgambika Temple, and Veyilingala Kona Waterfalls are among the city's prominent attractions, attracting visitors with their picturesque locations, serene atmosphere, and rich historical heritage.

Machilipatnam Tourism

Machelipatnam, situated on the banks of the River Krishna, is a captivating port town that stands as a popular tourist destination in South India. With a rich historical past, the town bears the imprints of various foreign invaders who once set foot on Indian soil.

Machelipatnam is renowned as one of the earliest colonial settlements established by the British along the Coromandel Coast in the Indian Subcontinent. Once a thriving port town, it witnessed the rule of multiple invaders, including the British, Arabs, French, and Dutch. Today, the town offers visitors the perfect blend of relaxation on its pristine and captivating beaches, along with the opportunity to relive the past through majestic historical monuments and traditional artifacts.

Kakinada 

Kakinada, located in Andhra Pradesh, seamlessly combines the cosmopolitan lifestyle with the allure of old-world charm. The city boasts a unique blend of rich cultural heritage and remarkable industrialization, showcasing the best of both worlds. Known as the fertilizer city, Kakinada is a well-planned industrial hub that harmoniously merges urban living with development. The city offers a plethora of entertainment options, from shopping malls to nightclubs, catering to the diverse tastes of tourists.

Mantralayam Tourism

Mantralayam, located in Andhra Pradesh near the Karnataka border, is a revered holy town situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It is renowned for Sri Guru Raghavendra Swami, a revered saint who entered into samadhi (a state of deep meditation) alive in the presence of his disciples in the 17th century. Sri Guru Raghavendra Swami, considered a reincarnation of Prahlada, a daitya king saved by Lord Vishnu's Narasimha avatar, holds significant spiritual importance.

The main attraction in Mantralayam is the Temple and Mutt complex. Witnessing the temple elephants and chariots carrying the deity during special occasions is a truly spectacular sight. The serene Tungabhadra River flowing nearby adds to the charm of the town.

Annavaram Temple

Annavaram, nestled in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, is a charming village situated on the picturesque banks of the river Pampa. Perched atop the magnificent Ratnagiri hill, this serene hamlet is a spiritual haven for devotees. Its renowned temple, dedicated to Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, attracts a steady stream of visitors all year round. Annavaram Devasthanam, the sacred pilgrim center, witnesses the arrival of hundreds of thousands of devotees each month, most of whom come to perform special prayers (vratas) in order to seek the blessings and divine grace of the revered deity they hold dear.

Puttaparthi Tourism

Nestled in Andhra Pradesh, the town of Puttaparthi is steeped in reverence as the sacred dwelling of the legendary figure, Sathya Sai Baba. Transporting visitors to the bygone era of ashrams and traditional living, Puttaparthi seamlessly blends the essence of the past with present influences. This small yet globally renowned town offers a unique blend of modern religious practices, urban settlements, and contemporary amenities, making it a distinctive village with urbanized facilities. While Puttaparthi may not boast abundant natural wonders or conventional tourist spots, its true treasure lies in its spiritual significance and the fresh ideologies it embodies. Notable attractions include the Sathya Sai Ashram, Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre, Anjaneya Swamy Temple, and other sites that offer a glimpse into the town's profound spirituality.

Yaganti, Kurnool Overview

Yaganti, situated in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, is a captivating tourist destination renowned for its Sri Yagantiswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple, also known as Uma Maheshwara Temple, holds great significance for Andhra Pradesh tourism. Dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries, the temple showcases a remarkable idol of Ardhanareeswara, a fusion of Lord Shiva and Parvathi, intricately carved from a single stone. A major highlight is the grand celebration of Maha Shivratri, observed in October or November each year, which draws hordes of devotees and tourists to the temple. Besides its religious importance, the temple captivates visitors with its unique features. Unlike most Shiva temples, Yaganti worships Lord Shiva in the form of an idol rather than a lingam. Additionally, the temple boasts the Agastya Pushkarni, a sacred tank from which water flows throughout the year.

Draksharamam

Located on the eastern bank of the Godavari River, Draksharamam Temple holds a significant position among the five most powerful and prominent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in India. Dating back to the 11th century, this architectural marvel is located 40 kilometers away from Rajahmundry. Draksharamam is a haven for religious pilgrims, offering not only spiritual solace but also breathtaking natural surroundings along the journey to the temple. Often referred to as "Dakshin Kashi," it attains immense religious importance akin to the revered city of Kashi. The temple's ancient architecture is truly captivating, adorned with intricate carvings, inscriptions, symbols, and visual representations.

Ahobilam Temple

Nestled in a serene village, Ahobilam is renowned for its revered Lord Narasimha Swamy Temple. Dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, the temple complex is home to the Adi Lakshmi Devi Temple and Chenchu Lakshmi Devi Temple. It stands as the only temple where all nine forms of the deity are worshipped. Ahobilam is believed to be situated amidst the Nalmalla Hills, representing the divine abode of Lord Narasimha Swamy between the coils of Adishesha. The temple features idols of Lord Narasimha Swami in all nine of his forms and is built in the opulent Vijayanagara architectural style.On Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy's 5 feet, 3-inch footprint, the revered Ahobilam Temple was built.

Tadipatri

Step into a realm of ancient wonders and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Tadipatri's temples. Situated in the western region of Andhra Pradesh, this captivating retreat unveils a treasure trove of relics dating back centuries. Constructed during the glorious era of the Vijayanagara Empire, Tadipatri casts a spell of enchantment upon every visitor. If you harbor a fascination for history or possess a keen interest in architecture, Tadipatri is the perfect holiday destination for you. Within its temples, you will be captivated by sculptures and artworks that bear witness to the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Empire.

 

Chirala Beach

Nestled in the serene Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, the tranquil town of Chirala, also known as "Ksheerapuri," holds its own unique charm. Founded by MinchalaPaletiPapayya and MinchalaPaletiPerayya, Chirala is renowned for its peaceful beaches, offering a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The town boasts splendid panoramic views, captivating visitors with its natural beauty. However, it is not just the scenic landscapes that make Chirala special; the warm and welcoming nature of its residents adds to its allure. Chirala is also famous for its handloom industry, earning it the monikers of "Mini Bombay" and "Chenna Bombay."Page URL: https://www.bigproperty.in/blog/ap-tourism-26-best-tourist-places-visit-in-ap/

[allindiagovtjobs]

మహాకవి పాల్కురికి సోమనాథుని జీవిత చరిత్ర

[robsmithjr]

Swampy's Florida Postcards: Monkey Jungle Valentines!

This undated postcard by those simian individuals at Monkey Jungle in Goulds, near Miami. Plan a trip to this fascinating location where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild by clicking here: https://www.monkeyjungle.com This postcard is part of the Swampy’s Florida collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #Florida #Postcards #FloridaPostcards #Collectibles #History #FloridaHistory…

[swampysflorida]

Swampy's Florida Postcards: Monkey Jungle Valentines!

This undated postcard by those simian individuals at Monkey Jungle in Goulds, near Miami. Plan a trip to this fascinating location where the humans are caged and the monkeys run wild by clicking here: https://www.monkeyjungle.com This postcard is part of the Swampy’s Florida collection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #Florida #Postcards #FloridaPostcards #Collectibles #History #FloridaHistory…

[tripcounselors]

Andhra Pradesh Tour

Andhra Pradesh boasts the nation's longest coastline and the Bay of Bengal to the west. It is endowed with the Krishna and Godavari rivers. The travel business actively advertises this state as being India's Kohinoor. Most tourists visit the state to see the well-known Tirupati temple. Srisailam Mallikarjuneswar is another well-known Shiva temple and one of India's 12 Jyotirlinga temples.

Despite the recent devision of the Andhra Pradesh state, which resulted in the establishment of Seemandhra, which is what was left of Andhra Pradesh after the Telangana region was sliced off, Seemandhra seems to have gained the bigger share in terms of tourism. Among the locations under Seemandhra's control are Belum Caves, Nagarjuna Konda, Borra Caves, and Pulicat Lake. Aside from this, it still maintains the bulk of Andhra Pradesh's culture and cuisine and has a thriving tourism sector. The state has a number of locations having a major Buddhist influence, including Dhulikatta, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Amravati, Nagarjuna Konda, etc.

The Vijayanagara dynasty was responsible for the state's two outstanding structures, the Srisailam and Lepakshi temples. One of the state's well-known mosques is the Shahi Jamia Masjid in Adoni in the Kurnool neighborhood. Rajahmundry City, which is located along the Godavari River, is among the city's top attractions. Kolleru Lake, one of India's largest freshwater lakes, is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh. You will be enchanted by this state once you visit.

For more info, Please visit our site: Trip Counselors

[team-ramses]

“To whom are you addressing your lecture, Peabody?” Emerson inquired disagreeably. “There are no tourists here, only those who are as familiar with the subject as you.”

The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters

[leadertelugunews]

‘హాలిడే వరల్డ్‌’కు బెస్ట్‌ ఇన్‌బౌండ్‌ టూర్‌ ఆపరేటర్‌ అవార్డు... టూరిజం మంత్రి రోజా నుంచి అవార్డు అందుకున్న విజయ్‌ మోహన్‌

‘హాలిడే వరల్డ్‌’కు బెస్ట్‌ ఇన్‌బౌండ్‌ టూర్‌ ఆపరేటర్‌ అవార్డు… టూరిజం మంత్రి రోజా నుంచి అవార్డు అందుకున్న విజయ్‌ మోహన్‌

విశాఖపట్నం: పర్యాటక రంగంలో విశేష సేవలందిస్తున్న ‘హాలిడే వరల్డ్‌’ సంస్థకు ది బెస్ట్‌ ఇన్‌ బౌండ్‌ టూర్‌ ఆపరేటర్‌ అవార్డు లభించింది. ప్రపంచ పర్యాటక దినోత్సవం సందర్భంగా తిరుపతి శిల్పారామంలో మంగళవారం నిర్వహించిన కార్యక్రమంలో భాగంగా హాలిడే వరల్డ్‌ సంస్థ తరఫున కె. విజయ్‌మోహన్‌, ఏపీ పర్యాటక మంత్రి ఆర్కే రోజా చేతుల మీదుగా ఆ అవార్డు అందుకున్నారు. కార్యక్రమంలో తిరుపతి ఎంపీ డాక్టర్‌ గురుమూర్తి పాల్గొన్నారు.…

[blueiscoool]

Greek Archaeologists Discover Mysterious 4,000-Year-Old Building on Hill Earmarked for New Airport

Archaeologists on the Greek island of Crete have uncovered a monumental ancient structure that threatens to halt progress on the construction of a new airport.

The structure belonged to the Minoan civilization and was mainly used between 2000 and 1700 B.C.E., around the same time that Crete’s monumental palaces at Knossos and Phaistos were built, per the Greek City Times.

But unlike these palaces and other feats of Minoan architecture, the purpose of the building remains unknown, and it’s now the subject of much archaeological attention and speculation.

The structure resembles “a huge car wheel from above,” writes Nicholas Paphitis for the Associated Press, with a diameter of 157 feet and a total area of 19,000 square feet.

According to a statement from the Greek Ministry of Culture, some of the structure’s features are comparable to Minoan tombs, including its circular arrangement of stone rings and its intricate layout. But a large quantity of ancient animal bones found nearby is complicating researchers’ understanding of the site.

“It may have been periodically used for possibly ritual ceremonies involving consumption of food, wine and perhaps offerings,” says the statement, per a translation by the AP.

While archaeologists further excavate and study the building, which sits on top of Papoura Hill, near the town of Kastelli, they must contend with the hilltop’s future function: a planned radar station for Crete’s new international airport.

Beginning in 2027, the airport will serve Heraklion, Crete’s capital and largest city, as well as a wealth of cultural and archaeological sites across the island.

Eighteen million passengers are projected to use the airport annually once construction is complete, the AP reports. Tourists want to visit Crete’s well-preserved historical sites, but they need convenient, modern infrastructure to take them there.

At times, rampant tourism threatens the integrity of ancient sites in Greece, prompting the government to take protective measures, like limiting the number of visitors to the Acropolis in Athens.

Per the statement, excavations in the area uncovered at least 35 other archaeological sites. As Greek authorities build Crete’s new airport and the network of roads needed to connect it with the rest of the island, they must continually strike a balance between innovation and maintaining cultural heritage.

In the statement, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni describes the structure as a unique find of great interest. She says the Greek government and airport officials will explore alternative locations for the radar station to ensure the preservation of this historically significant archaeological site.

“It’s possible to go ahead with the airport while granting the antiquities the protection they merit,” Mendoni adds, per the AP. Her comments offer hope that Crete’s past, present and future will once again be reconciled.

By Eli Wizevich.

[grits-galraisedinthesouth]

Show Up, Take Photos

The Meghans are global frauds. Every "good" deed, Every word & Every dollar is a GRIFT. "Nigerian girls & women" my arse.💔

Do they really expect us to believe that a global games event could ever be hosted by a country that repeatedly loses track of women & children? Harry and Meghan have the lowest of low in IQs but the rest of the world can see that THIS poverty tourism trip is yet another SUSSEX SCAM.

No country will send disabled athletes or veterans to compete in a country that cannot keep track of school kids. Shame on Nigeria's Defense Minister and all at Invictus who are involved in this fraudulent visit.

"Bring Back our Girls 2.0

"The abduction of the 287 children in Kaduna state on March 7, 2024 near the West African nation’s capital, is one of the largest school kidnappings in the decade since the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Borno state’s Chibok village in 2014 stunned the world. Analysts and activists say the security lapses that allowed that mass abduction remain..."

"One man was shot dead as he tried to save the students, school authorities said"

"The parallels between the two kidnappings have created more worry for parents, as even to this day nearly 100 of the Chibok girls remain missing."

BY CHINEDU ASADU

March 8, 2024

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — "Security forces swept through large forests in Nigeria’s northwest region on Friday in search of nearly 300 children abducted from their school by motorcycle-riding gunmen in the latest mass kidnapping, which analysts and activists blamed on the failure of intelligence and a slow security response.

The abduction of the 287 children in Kaduna state, near the West African nation’s capital, is one of the largest school kidnappings in the decade since the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Borno state’s Chibok village in 2014 stunned the world. Analysts and activists say the security lapses that allowed that mass abduction remain.

The victims of the latest attack — among them at least 100 children aged 12 or under — were surrounded and marched into a forest just as they were starting the school day, said locals in Kuriga town, located 55 miles (89 kilometers) from the city of Kaduna. One man was shot dead as he tried to save the students, school authorities said."

J-P Mauro - published on 03/14/24

"With no word from the abductors, the bishops are calling on the state to identify the kidnappers and save the hostages.

The remote town of Kuriga, in Nigeria’s Kaduna state, is still reeling after dozens of armed extremists kidnapped hundreds of students out of their classes in broad daylight on the morning of March 7. Worried parents are now calling for government intervention, after days without any word from the abductors. As of March 13, the children have yet to be found. 

The AP reports that at least 287 students were abducted – with about 100 of them aged 12 or under – making it one of the largest kidnappings since the 2014 abduction of the Chibok girls, when 275 girls were taken from their school by Boko Haram.

The parallels between the two kidnappings have created more worry for parents, as even to this day nearly 100 of the Chibok girls remain missing. 

The March 7 kidnapping saw children taken from the school just as the day was starting, at around 8 a.m.. They were herded into the forest. It took authorities several hours to respond to the scene and begin a search operation, but it is unclear how deep into the forest the kidnappers went.

Locals have suggested that the abductors belong to a group of bandits who have been terrorizing remote villages in Nigeria’s northwest and central regions.

14-year-old Nigerian girl could declared a martyr. Nigeria is one of the places of most intense suffering for Christians in our day.

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of Makurdi has called on the government to intercede on behalf of the Christian population, which he said is being targeted by these attacks. Bishop Anagbe told OSV: 

“The kidnappings, killings and destroying churches we are experiencing every day are aimed at finishing Christians. We are worried that despite such killings and kidnappings, the government has never arrested anyone. As a church, we now demand that the government act quickly to stop these vices that continue to dishearten people.”

I try hard not to hate anyone, but The Meghans sure know how to push the right buttons. 🤐🤬

Safety 1st: The UK is unsafe but African countries where Nigerian schoolgirls are kidnapped & Zika Zones for childbearing royals are no problem.

Team Sussex: Global Court Jesters

[athena5898]

I have been collecting links and resources for and from Palestine as they have come in front of me over the past several months. Here is a full list of what I have so far. CW: Links talk about sexual assault, rape, violence, death, etc. You know genocide and colonization. edit: okay it won't post all of them so i'm going to reblog with the rest.

'Israel' releases detained al-Shifa Hospital chief, 49 others | Al Mayadeen English

"May Gaza burn": The flood of genocidal rhetoric from Israel's soldiers

About | Israelism

Germany: Parliament rejects proposal to stop arms exports to Israel – Middle East Monitor

The Failure to Protect Palestinian Cultural Heritage

Air Force Engineer Resigns as Dissent Against Gaza War Spreads in Military

Palestinian journalist describes torture, abuse at Israeli detention camp

Palestinians protest against Israel land theft in Kafr Qaddum

Fears rise for Gaza's starving children | The Electronic Intifada

British far-right and pro-Israel activists are fighting the Palestinian movement together | Middle East Eye

'Israel' commits horrendous massacre on refugee tent, over 20 killed | Al Mayadeen English

On October 7, Gaza broke out of prison | Gaza | Al Jazeera

The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza | Fault Lines Documentary - YouTube

US To Remove Aid Pier From Gaza Coast - ac.news

Gloom about the ‘day after’ the Gaza war pervasive among Mideast scholars | Brookings

Israel's use of bombs in 6 'emblematic' attacks likely violated laws of war, UN says

Running Amok | Mary Turfah

The destruction of press infrastructure in Gaza: A strategy to blind the public - Forbidden Stories

‘The grey zone’: how IDF views some journalists in Gaza as legitimate targets | Israel-Gaza war | The Guardian

Exclusive: Israeli documents show expansive government effort to shape US discourse around Gaza war | Israel | The Guardian

Exclusive: Israeli documents show expansive government effort to shape US discourse around Gaza war | Israel | The Guardian

Doctor admits Israeli pathologists harvested organs without consent | Israel | The Guardian

Israelis are celebrating mass slaughter in Gaza

Israel's skin bank raises ethical concerns on organ consent...

“Genocide Denial”: House Votes to Bar State Dept. From Citing Gaza Death Toll | Truthout

Biden Has Not Seen Pictures Of Beheaded Israeli Children, White House Says | HuffPost

A compound crime: Israeli army hits Gaza family, uses them as human shields, and runs over their mother

UK election 2024: Labour's non-Zionist Jews complain of 'disdain' | Middle East Eye

Israel announces largest Palestinian land grab in over 30 years | Middle East Eye

Israel turbocharges West Bank settlement expansion with largest land grab in decades | AP News

How Israel destroyed Gaza’s ability to feed itself | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera

‘More horrific than Abu Ghraib’: Lawyer recounts visit to Israeli detention center

Inside Sde Teiman, the Base Where Israel Detains Gazans - The New York Times

Palestinian Released From Israeli Prison Describes Beatings, Sexual Abuse and Torture - Twilight Zone - Haaretz.com

PAST AND FUTURE PRESENT(S): No Palestinians Involved: An Open Letter to My Colleagues

Report: Israel demolished 318 facilities, uprooted 10,000 olive trees in West Bank this year – Middle East Monitor

The Luxury of Death | Institute for Palestine Studies

Pro-Israel tycoon gives Labour half a million pounds

We Spoke Up For Palestine and Got Kicked Out of the White House Pride Party | Autostraddle

The Rise of October 7th Tourism

IDF Ordered Hannibal Directive on October 7 to Prevent Hamas Taking Soldiers Captive - Israel News - Haaretz.com

‘I’m bored, so I shoot’: The Israeli army’s approval of free-for-all violence in Gaza

IDF Ordered Hannibal Directive on October 7 to Prevent Hamas Taking Soldiers Captive - Israel News - Haaretz.com

Counting the dead in Gaza: difficult but essential - The Lancet

IDF Ordered Hannibal Directive on October 7 to Prevent Hamas Taking Soldiers Captive - Israel News - Haaretz.com

Israel turbocharges West Bank settlement expansion with largest land grab in decades | AP News

Palestinians recount abuse inside Israeli prisons

Silenced at School: NYC Public Schools Chancellor suppresses Palestinian voices – Mondoweiss

The Frankfurt Book Fair and multinational publishers are complicit in the Gaza genocide – Mondoweiss

On the Record with Hamas - by Jeremy Scahill

Sabra and Shatila massacre - Wikipedia

Sabra (character) - Wikipedia

‘Israel in collapse’: 46,000 businesses forced to close since 7 Oct

Israel war on Gaza updates: ICJ finds Israel in breach of international law | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera

ICJ says Israel’s presence in Palestinian territory is unlawful | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera

We Volunteered at a Gaza Hospital. What We Saw Was Unspeakable. - POLITICO

The end of Israel’s economy – Mondoweiss

Palestine and “Xinjiang” under Capitalist Rule: An Analysis from the Chinese Left | Chuang

One Name, Two Lists

Devil in the details: How HRW laundered Israel’s 7 October falsehoods

UK drops plans to challenge ICC arrest warrant request against Benjamin Netanyahu | AP News

Palestinian factions strike a reconciliation deal - will this time be any different? – Mondoweiss

Gaza live: UK won't challenge ICC on Netanyahu arrest warrant | Middle East Eye

Only a failing US empire would be so blind as to cheer Netanyahu and his genocide | Middle East Eye

“Oslo Is Over” - by Jeremy Scahill - Drop Site News

Kamala Harris responds to DC protests over Netanyahu visit

Pro-Palestinian protesters vow to push on at UBC, VIU encampments | CBC News

Israel’s Netanyahu dissolves war cabinet | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera

Travel to Israel declines from 533,200 in June 2023 to 97,700, June 2024 - The Jerusalem Post

'Horrifying' Israeli strike on girls' school in Gaza kills at least 30 | Middle East Eye

Remembering Eman Qamom – Mondoweiss

Canada set to revoke Jewish National Fund’s charitable status – Mondoweiss

Operation Olive Branch - Google Sheets

Israel privately pressures Biden admin to fast-track more weapons during Netanyahu visit - POLITICO

Living in a nightmare – Mondoweiss

As US Congress cheered for Netanyahu, protesters gathered to denounce him | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera

After polio detected in wastewater investigators search Gaza for active cases : Goats and Soda : NPR

Despite UN appeal, US and UK don’t fund ‘critical lifeline’ to Palestinians | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera

Christian Zionism and the Unseeing of the People of Palestine – Institute for Christian Socialism

As the Games open in Paris: “Israel” out of the Olympics — Boycott colonial athletics! | Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network

Paris Olympics 2024: Key issues – Israel, Russia, Seine, hijab ban, workers | Paris Olympics 2024 News | Al Jazeera

All the Times Israel Has Rejected Peace With Palestinians

Violence of planting in Israel-Palestine - The Architectural Review

War on Gaza: How Israel is stripping Palestinian women of their dignity | Middle East Eye

[mariacallous]

ROME (AP) — Seemingly every tourist in Rome knows the key to returning to the Eternal City is to toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain and make a wish. The result: Hoards of visitors packing the Baroque monument any given day, taking selfies and betting on a return trip.

Officials are now considering a plan to manage tourism to one of Rome’s most-visited sites: A 2-euro ($2.25) ticket to access an open-air fountain that has always been free of charge.

The proposal by city’s top tourism official, Alessandro Onorato, comes after the Italian lagoon city of Venice tested a controversial 5-euro daytripper access fee to the city this summer. It must be deliberated by the City Council before it takes effect, but the city’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, has already voiced support.

“Two euros is more or less the same amount that people toss into the fountain to make a wish,’’ Onorato told The Associated Press Friday.

Cities across the globe are grappling with how to manage the ever-growing number of tourists, who fuel the economy but can create inconveniences to residents by converging on the same top sites.

“We have to avoid, especially in a fragile art city like Rome, that too many tourists damage the tourist experience, and damage the city,’’ Onorato said. “We need to safeguard two things, that tourists don’t experience chaos and that citizens can continue to live in the center.”

Onorato said he hopes to test the entrance fee, which would be managed through a reservation system and a QR code, in time for the 2025 Jubilee Holy Year, and have the system operational by spring.

Passersby in the piazza overlooking the fountain will not have to pay. The fee would be charged only to those entering the nine stone steps leading up to the fountain’s edge. It would be free to Romans.

Onorato said the system would also help discourage people from eating on the steps overlooking the fountain and feeding pigeons or, worse, from reenacting Anita Ekberg’s plunge into the fountain in Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita,” a frequently repeated offense that carries a fine.

“It would happen less, or maybe it wouldn’t happen at all, because whoever would enter, we would know their names and where they live. It becomes more complicated,’’ he said.

[ausetkmt]

Florida quietly removes LGBTQ+ travel info from state website

FILE - Hundreds of people line Central Avenue and cheer during the 10th Annual St. Pete Pride Street Festival & Promenade in St. Petersburg, Fla. on June 30, 2012.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Key West, Fort Lauderdale, Wilton Manors and St. Petersburg are among several Florida cities that have long been top U.S. destinations for LGBTQ+ tourists. So it came as a surprise this week when travelers learned that Florida's tourism marketing agency quietly removed the “LGBTQ Travel” section from its website sometime in the past few months.

Business owners who cater to Florida's LGBTQ+ tourists said Wednesday that it marked the latest attempt by officials in the state to erase the LGBTQ+ community. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis previously championed a bill to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, and supported a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, as well as a law meant to keep children out of drag shows.

“It's just disgusting to see this,” said Keith Blackburn, who heads the Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “They seem to want to erase us.”

The change to Visit Florida's website was first reported by NBC News, which noted a search query still pulls up some listings for LGBTQ+-friendly places despite the elimination of the section.

John Lai, who chairs Visit Florida's board, didn't respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday. Dana Young, Visit Florida's CEO and president, didn't respond to a voicemail message Wednesday, and neither did the agency's public relations director.

Visit Florida is a public-private partnership between the state of Florida and the state's tourism industry. The state contributes about $50 million each year to the quasi-public agency from two tourism and economic development funds.

Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. Nearly 141 million tourists visited Florida in 2023, with out-of-state visitors contributing more than $102 billion to Florida’s economy.

Before the change, the LGBTQ+ section on Visit Florida's website had read, “There’s a sense of freedom to Florida’s beaches, the warm weather and the myriad activities — a draw for people of all orientations, but especially appealing to a gay community looking for a sense of belonging and acceptance.”

Blackburn said the change and other anti-LGBTQ+ policies out of Tallahassee make it more difficult for him to promote South Florida tourism since he encounters prospective travelers or travel promoters who say they don't want to do business in the state.

Last year, for instance, several civil rights groups issued a travel advisory for Florida, saying that policies championed by DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.”

But visitors should also understand that many Florida cities are extremely inclusive, with gay elected officials and LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and they don't reflect the policies coming from state government, Blackburn added.

“It’s difficult when these kinds of stories come out, and the state does these things, and we hear people calling for a boycott,” Blackburn said. “On one level, it’s embarrassing to have to explain why people should come to South Florida and our destination when the state is doing these things.”

[robsmithjr]

Swampy's Florida Historic Photos - Having a ball in West Palm Beach, June 1953

Photo from ‘Yesterday’s Florida – Volume 3’.

[swampysflorida]

Swampy's Florida Historic Photos - Having a ball in West Palm Beach, June 1953

Photo from ‘Yesterday’s Florida – Volume 3’.

[suzannetownsend]

Apes in the Glades: a divisive Florida mystery

OCHOPEE – The drone of cicadas, the flat river of grass and gators lurking by the roadside, only their eyes visible above the black water: this is the Florida Everglades. It is a region that has long been imbued with fascinating history both haunting and beautiful, from being the location of marijuana smuggling routes (or as the locals call it, square grouper) and a hiding spot for killers on the run. But deep in the swamp lurks another source of intrigue: the skunk ape. 

Also known as Florida’s Bigfoot, the hairy biped has been a lifelong pursuit of Ochopee, Florida local David Shealy. He describes the skunk ape as being between six and seven feet tall, covered in hair and incredibly smelly. Since spotting the creature near his home at the northern end of Everglades National Park at age 10, Shealy has made it his life’s work to find this elusive character. He has reported other sightings since then, once in 1998 and most famously in 2001 when he recorded video footage of the creature trudging through the swamp, which is available on YouTube. 

Shealy is the founder of the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters in Ochopee. It’s one of several of Tamiami Trail’s roadside attractions (including the world’s smallest post office) and includes a campground, collection of live pythons and alligators, a gift shop and plans to expand. The building also houses Shealy’s two casts of skunk ape tracks. In 2000 he even applied for a grant from the Collier County Tourism Development Council, which was denied. 

Sightings of skunk apes have been reported since the 1950s and ‘60s. One discrepancy, however, is that the native Seminole and Miccosukee tribes have a legend of the skunk ape in their culture, too. For clarity, the tribes are separate politically but not culturally, according to the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Tara Backhouse, the collections manager at the Seminole Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum said in an email that, “there’s definitely not anything written down, and I don’t believe it’s a real Seminole legend in any way.” Shealy says something different: “That’s not the case at all and I grew up here with the Indians.” Indeed, Shealy's property is not far from the Miccosukee reservation. He recounted a story that Miccosukee tribal member Michael Frank told him about a time during the Seminole Wars. “At that time an Indian scout left the village and went into the Everglades, and he returned with a story that he had seen a group of men that were very large and covered with hair.” Shealy says there are as many as nine skunk apes in the Everglades. According to him they smell because they spend time in alligator holes, and they make a low bassy cooing growl. When he performs the skunk ape call, it sounds a lot like an alligator bellow. Shealy has a response for that, too. “I have big alligators that roar every time the garbage truck comes in so I know gators really good and it's not a gator.” 

So did Shealy make it all up? Some locals think so. The picture that many residents of the nearby Everglades City paint is that Shealy simply wanted to make more money. Some call him a fraud, some call him a scientific researcher. When I met him, though, the first thing I understood about David Shealy is that he is a storyteller. He has many tales of encounters with Florida's bigfoot, some his and some from other people, but all of them captivating. He spoke of a time when he collected a hair sample from one encounter but the next day two unidentified federal agents, “The men in black” as Shealy calls them, who came to his home and confiscated the sample, never to be heard from again. In another story a woman named Mary Billie was chopping down palm fronds for a chickee hut. As she was hacking at the fronds one fell away and she was face to face with the skunk ape. 

Despite the chorus of skunk ape deniers, there are others who support Shealy’s work. Brad Bertelli is the author of The Florida Keys Skunk Ape Files, which is a work of fiction based on real reports of encounters with the cryptid. Included in the book is a real clipping from an 1874 newspaper that reads, “Key West has a ghost covered with hair and about the size of a horse.” Bertelli says, “It reads to me like a typical skunk ape or bigfoot sighting.” And one of the earliest reports of such. Another story that inspired his book is a family on Key Largo who witnessed a smelly hairy creature on their property, which frightened them so much they moved out of the Keys entirely. 

Both skunk ape aficionados have responses for the nonbelievers. Shealy says, “It’s not a good attitude to have because what they are doing is possibly putting a threatened or endangered species at risk and that they really need to do their research, possibly go out on their own. Just discounting it is doing an injustice to our native wildlife.” For Bertelli, “A lot of it has to do with not being willing to engage with something that is unknown. There are things out there bigger than ourselves. You have to keep an open mind.”

Fact or fiction, stories like these captivate people’s imaginations, and have for a long time. Like Bertelli says, “When you look back these bigfoot creatures have been sighted on six of the seven continents. When we go back hundreds and hundreds of years, every culture has their story about them.” So keep an open mind, and keep an eye out next time you’re in the Everglades. 

[newstfionline]

Sunday, June 2, 2024

UN refugee chief says 114 million have fled homes because nations fail to tackle causes of conflict (AP) The number of people fleeing their homes because of war, violence and persecution has reached 114 million and is climbing because nations have failed to tackle the causes and combatants are refusing to comply with international law, the U.N. refugee chief said Thursday. In a hard-hitting speech, Filippo Grandi criticized the U.N. Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, for failing to use its voice to try to resolve conflicts from Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan to Congo, Myanmar and many other places. He also accused unnamed countries of making “short-sighted foreign policy decisions, often founded on double standards, with lip service paid to compliance with the law, but little muscle flexed from the council to actually uphold it and—with it—peace and security.” Grandi said non-compliance with international humanitarian law means that “parties to conflicts—increasingly everywhere, almost all of them—have stopped respecting the laws of war,” though some pretend to do so.

After Trump’s Conviction, a Wary World Waits for the Fallout (NYT) The world does not vote in American presidential elections. Nor do its jurors play a part in the American judicial system. Nevertheless, the conviction of Donald J. Trump on all 34 felony counts in a hush-money trial in a New York court on Thursday has again made clear how consequential what happens in the United States is for the rest of the planet. Many America-watchers are grappling with the same questions posed by people in the United States: Can Mr. Trump still run for president? (Yes.) And if so, will the guilty verdicts cut into the support from his political base? (Unclear.) Foreign observers also began wondering if Mr. Trump, already a volatile force, would become even less likely to stay within the guardrails of normal politics and diplomacy if he won the presidency again in November.

Mexican candidate assassinations hit grim record ahead of Sunday’s election (Reuters) Mexico’s election is now the bloodiest in its modern history after a candidate running for local office in central Puebla state was murdered on Friday at a political rally, taking the number of assassinated candidates to 37 ahead of Sunday’s vote. Jorge Huerta Cabrera, a candidate who was running for a council seat in the town of Izucar de Matamoros, was gunned down in the attack, according to the state prosecutor’s office. The killing takes the number of assassinated candidates in the 2024 election season to 37, one more than during the 2021 midterm election.

Panama prepares to evacuate first island in face of rising sea levels (AP) On a tiny island off Panama’s Caribbean coast, about 300 families are packing their belongings in preparation for a dramatic change. Generations of Gunas who have grown up on Gardi Sugdub in a life dedicated to the sea and tourism will trade that next week for the mainland’s solid ground. The Gunas of Gardi Sugdub are the first of 63 communities along Panama’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts that government officials and scientists expect to be forced to relocate by rising sea levels in the coming decades. Gardi Sugdub is only about 400 yards (366 meters) long and 150 yards (137 meters) wide. Every year, especially when the strong winds whip up the sea in November and December, water fills the streets and enters the homes. The Gunas have tried to reinforce the island’s edge with rocks, pilings and coral, but seawater keeps coming. Residents will move to the new site on the mainland that the government developed at a cost of $12 million. The concrete houses sit on a grid of paved streets carved out of the lush tropical jungle just over a mile from the port, where an eight-minute boat ride carries them to Gardi Sugdub.

Cuba laments collapse of iconic sugar industry (BBC) Cutting cane is all Miguel Guzmán has ever known. He comes from a family of farm hands and started the tough, thankless work as a teenager. For hundreds of years, sugar was the mainstay of the Cuban economy. It was not just the island’s main export but also the cornerstone of another national industry, rum. Older Cubans remember when the island was essentially built on the backs of families like Mr Guzmán’s. Today, though, he readily admits he has never seen the sugar industry as broken and depressed as it is now—not even when the Soviet Union’s lucrative sugar quotas dried up after the Cold War. Spiralling inflation, shortages of basic goods and the decades-long US economic embargo have made for a dire economic outlook across the board in Cuba. But things are particularly bleak in the sugar trade. Last season, Cuba’s production fell to just 350,000 tonnes of raw sugar, an all-time low for the country, and well below the 1.3 million tonnes recorded in 2019. “It’s a disaster. Today the sugar industry in Cuba almost doesn’t exist,” says Juan Triana of the Centre for Studies of the Cuban Economy in Havana. “We’re producing the same quantity of sugar Cuba produced in the middle of the 19th Century.”

NATO ministers meet in Prague as allies ease restrictions on Ukraine’s use of their weapons (AP) NATO foreign ministers were meeting in the Czech capital Friday to prepare for this summer’s leaders’ summit as the alliance boosts support for Ukraine and countries one-by-one remove restrictions on how Kyiv can use western-supplied weaponry to combat Russia’s invasion. A day after U.S. President Joe Biden gave Ukraine the go-ahead to use American munitions to strike inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv, numerous ministers, including those from the Netherlands, Finland, Poland and Germany, expressed approval of the decision, saying that Ukraine has the absolute right to defend itself from attacks originating on Russian soil.

The Kremlin is all-in on war in Ukraine (CSM) Amid its grinding war of attrition and economic mobilization against Ukraine, Russia is changing fast. As the Defense Ministry spends ever-increasing amounts of money to procure the equipment it needs and to recruit more soldiers, the country’s business environment and economic geography are being reshaped. And the military-industrial complex, which was vastly downsized in post-Soviet years, is reviving quickly. Confounding observers in many ways, Russia’s war economy, despite Western sanctions, is now back at a level that outproduces the entire West in some key military goods. And the Kremlin appears to be committed to a war economy approach for the long haul, as suggested by the recent reshuffling of Defense Ministry leadership. Whether such an economic policy is viable is in debate. Optimists say the rapid economic development is economically positive on balance, or at least that Russia can sustain high levels of military spending for the foreseeable future. Pessimists argue that the Kremlin is building a permanent war economy, much like the one that strangled the Soviet Union, and that hopes of building a prosperous consumer economy are fast vanishing. But for the moment, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears all in.

Voting begins in the last round of India’s election (AP) A six-week-long national election in India that is a referendum on Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decade in power neared its end Saturday as the last phase of voting began. The election is considered one of the most consequential in India’s history. If Modi wins, he’ll be only the second Indian leader to retain power for a third term after Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first prime minister. The seventh round of polls covers 57 constituencies across seven states and one union territory. It will complete a national election to fill all 543 seats in the powerful lower house of parliament. Nearly 970 million voters—more than 10% of the world’s population—were eligible to elect a new parliament for five years. More than 8,300 candidates ran for the office. Most polls show Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party leading over the broad opposition alliance that’s challenging them, led by the Congress party. The votes will be counted Tuesday, with results expected by the end of the day.

Israeli views of the Israel-Hamas war (Pew Research Center) Some 39% of Israelis say Israel’s military response against Hamas in Gaza has been about right, while 34% say it has not gone far enough and 19% think it has gone too far, according to a survey conducted March 3-April 4. But Israelis see the war in vastly different ways depending on their political ideology, religion and other factors, including stark divides between Jews and Arabs. According to the survey, conducted in March and early April, roughly two-thirds of Israelis are also confident that Israel will either probably (27%) or definitely (40%) achieve its goals in the war against Hamas.

Israel confirms its forces are in central Rafah in expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city (AP) The Israeli military confirmed Friday that its forces are operating in central parts of Rafah in its expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city. Israel launched its ground assault into the city on May 6, triggering an exodus of around 1 million Palestinians out of the city and throwing U.N. humanitarian operations based in the area into turmoil. Still, it has yet to amount to a “major operation” in the eyes of U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration, according to the State Department. Up to around 300,000 people are believed to remain in the Rafah area, with an unknown number still in the city itself. Most have flocked to rural areas on the Mediterranean coastline west of the city, said Shaina Low, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Refugee Council, a humanitarian group that operates in the area. That area has seen deadly Israeli strikes the past week. Palestinians who fled the city have scattered around southern and central Gaza, most of them living in squalid tent camps.

Israel maintains a shadowy hospital in the desert for Gaza detainees. Critics allege mistreatment (AP) Patients lying shackled and blindfolded on more than a dozen beds inside a white tent in the desert. Surgeries performed without adequate painkillers. Doctors who remain anonymous. These are some of the conditions at Israel’s only hospital dedicated to treating Palestinians detained by the military in the Gaza Strip, three people who have worked there told The Associated Press, confirming similar accounts from human rights groups. While Israel says it detains only suspected militants, many patients have turned out to be non-combatants taken during raids, held without trial and eventually returned to war-torn Gaza. Eight months into the Israel-Hamas war, accusations of inhumane treatment at the Sde Teiman military field hospital are on the rise, and the Israeli government is under growing pressure to shut it down. Rights groups and other critics say what began as a temporary place to hold and treat militants after Oct. 7 has morphed into a harsh detention center with too little accountability.

Google scales back AI search answers after it told users to eat glue (Washington Post) Google said it was scaling down the use of AI-generated answers in some search results, after the tech made high-profile errors including telling users to put glue on their pizza and saying Barack Obama was Muslim. The change is the latest example of Google launching an AI product with fanfare and then rolling it back after it goes awry. The tech industry is in the throes of an AI revolution, with start-ups and Big Tech giants alike trying to find new ways to put the tech into their products and make money from it. Many of the tools have been launched before they’re ready for prime time, as companies jostle to be the first to market their products and cast themselves as cutting-edge. One answer, which Google has since fixed, told people to drink plenty of urine to help pass a kidney stone. Another said John F. Kennedy graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in six different years, three of which were after his death.