Monthly Archives: April 2025

2025.04.02

I see the bad moon a-risin’
I see depression on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin’
I see bad times today:

Erica Zurek at MPR News reports: “The Minnesota Department of Health announced layoffs and reductions in public health services on Tuesday due to cuts in federal funding.” Via MinnPost

US health agency layoffs gut mine safety, infertility and smoking programs
Thousands lost jobs as sweeping cuts reshape public health, leaving experts and lawmakers scrambling
Jessica Glenza and Marina Dunbar
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/02/hhs-cdc-fda-layoffs

From CCX Media: “The Robbinsdale Area School District has announced plans to lay off more than 200 of its employees as it struggles with a $21 million budget deficit.” Via MinnPost

Ian Russell at KARE 11 reports: “For roughly a year and a half now, meals at many schools in Minnesota have been free for all. At the State Capitol Tuesday, some lawmakers pushed to alter who qualifies.” Via MinnPost

Israel announces intention to seize large areas of Gaza Strip in major escalation
Defence minister Israel Katz says seized land ‘will be added to the state of Israel’s security areas’
Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/02/israel-announces-intention-seize-large-areas-gaza-strip

US supreme court weighs restricting Medicaid payments to ‘defund’ Planned Parenthood
In first abortion-related case since Trump win, court to consider clinics’ acceptance of low-income insurance
Carter Sherman
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/02/planned-parenthood-medicaid-us-supreme-court

New Orleans clergy abuse survivors say they’ve lost confidence in case’s judge
Comments come after it was revealed judge ignored DoJ recommendations against expelling survivors from panel
Ramon Antonio Vargas and David Hammer of WWL Louisiana
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/02/new-orleans-clergy-abuse-survivors-judge

Scandal-hit creative writing website NaNoWriMo to close after 20 years
The US nonprofit, whose online community encouraged members to write a novel in a month, has been rocked by controversy in recent years
Ella Creamer
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/apr/02/creative-writing-nanowrimo-to-close-after-20-years

Neil Young says he may be barred from returning to US over Donald Trump criticism
The US-Canadian dual citizen speculates he may be ‘barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor’ after his European tour, after years of speaking against Trump
Michael Sun
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/apr/02/neil-young-fears-us-ban-donald-trump-criticism

Basquiat to Delaney: inside the exhibition honouring 50 years of art in Black Paris
The vast show at the Pompidou highlights how the French capital became a haven for creatives from across the diaspora
Jason Okundaye
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/apr/02/basquiat-delaney-inside-exhibition-honouring-50-years-art-black-paris-pompidou

Two near lifesize sculptures found during excavations of Pompeii tomb
The detailed relics were found in a necropolis and experts believe the woman depicted could have been an important priestess
Angela Giuffrida in Rome
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/01/two-near-lifesize-sculptures-found-during-excavations-of-pompeii-tomb

Hot-air balloons and spring sunshine: photos of the day – Wednesday
Hot-air balloons in the air during the annual hot-air balloon festival, held since 1950 to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan, in Central Java. Photograph: Devi Rahman/AFP/Getty Images
Matt Fidler
https://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2025/apr/02/spring-sunshine-and-hot-air-balloons-photos-of-the-day-wednesday

2025.04.01

New blood test checks for Alzheimer’s and assesses progression, study says
Procedure for patients with thinking and memory problems could help medics decide which drugs are most suitable
Nicola Davis Science correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/31/new-blood-test-checks-alzheimers-assesses-progression?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Icelandic town and Blue Lagoon spa evacuated after volcanic eruption
Those who have not already left Grindavík warned nearby eruption could be much bigger than previous 10 since 2021
Miranda Bryant Nordic correspondent
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/01/grindavik-iceland-and-blue-lagoon-thermal-spa-evacuated-after-volcanic-eruption

Rightwing groups across US push new bans to limit ‘obscene’ books in libraries
Critics say bans would hinder rights as proponents would impose their beliefs on others who don’t share their views
Eric Berger
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/01/new-book-bans-library-schools

A tower topped with a pangolin! The Oxford university building inspired by Tolkien … and the pandemic
A chubby, rhubarb and custard-coloured tower bedecked with anteaters and moles make a fun neighbour to the city’s dreaming spires. It’s left some locals lost for words
Oliver Wainwright
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/apr/01/a-tower-topped-with-a-pangolin-the-oxford-university-building-inspired-by-tolkien-and-the-pandemic

Myanmar earthquake: China and others step into aid gap left by Trump cuts
US president accused of blowing up country’s ability to respond to disasters by removing funding
Kate Lamb, Rebecca Ratcliffe and Joseph Gedeon
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/31/myanmar-earthquake-us-slow-to-act-as-other-countries-step-in

What’s the difference between all the various paprikas?
This versatile spice has long outgrown its Spanish and Hungarian roots to bring richness, warmth, colour and flavour to a host of dishes
Anna Berrill
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2025/apr/01/whats-the-difference-paprikas-kitchen-aide-anna-berrill

With Indigenous food hub, barbecue spot in works, chef Sean Sherman expands his vision
The chef behind Owamni recently purchased the Co-op Creamery Building on Franklin Avenue where he is working to scale up a kitchen to supply Indigenous foods to schools, hospitals and other institutions.
by Macy-Châu Diễm Trần
https://sahanjournal.com/business-work/sean-sherman-minneapolis-indigenous-barbecue-restaurant/

Hooters restaurant chain files for bankruptcy protection
Founded in 1983, the restaurant known for waitresses in skimpy outfits has run into financial difficulties lately
Associated Press
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/01/hooters-restaurant-bankruptcy

The Last of Us to Dying for Sex: 11 of the best TV shows to watch this
Caryn James
https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20250331-11-best-tv-shows-to-watch-in-april

For us, by us: 15 great trans movies made by trans filmmakers
Mey Rude | 03/31/25
https://www.out.com/film/best-trans-films-made-by-trans-filmmakers#rebelltitem1

Coyote vs Acme: $70m Looney Tunes film to be released after being canned by Warner Bros
Live-action animated film starring John Cena and Will Forte will hit cinemas in 2026, after it was controversially shelved in favour of a $30m tax write-down
Sian Cain and agencies
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/apr/01/coyote-vs-acme-70m-looney-tunes-film-to-be-released-after-being-canned-by-warner-bros

‘Remarkable’ Bletchley Park code breaker Betty Webb dies aged 101
Veteran lauded for helping preserve history and legacy as well as vital role played during second world war
Jamie Grierson
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/01/remarkable-bletchley-park-code-breaker-betty-webb-dies-aged-101