https://xcancel.com/pitchfork/status/2042340515874795993#m

There is a lot going on here. You're not surprised to see Kendrick Lamar are you? Yeah I didn't think so. Actually makes me physically angry thinking about how they could be boosting rare music with this

~~We're so back~~ we never left

The U.S. crackdown on migration from Mexico has destroyed a sacred site shared by both countries. According to reports from residents in Baja California, as covered by Mexican national media, explosions were heard last weekend on Cuchumá Hill as part of construction work on the border wall. The explosives were used by U.S. personnel. According to the reports, a 35-meter-tall monolith, carved and considered sacred by Indigenous people in the region, has been damaged. At the time of this publication, the extent of the damage is unknown.

Miguel Olmos Aguilera, who holds a Ph.D. in ethnology, ethnography, and social anthropology and serves as a professor and researcher at the Colegio de la Frontera Norte, explains over the phone that the hill is a religious site of great sacred significance to the Kumiai people, who also live on both sides of the border. He says that some people in the community told him about the construction work being carried out there: about the obstruction to passage and the destruction of their ceremonial site. He also does not know how severe the damage to the monolith is.

The Cuchumá mountain is an archaeological zone and ceremonial site of the Yumano people — a family of Indigenous tribes including the Cucapah, Halyiikwamai, Alakwisa, Kamai, Yuma, and Mojave, among others — that stretches and rises to the summit, some 3,500 meters above sea level. The vast summit was split in two during the 19th century by a border. That imaginary line also divided the Kumiai people, who inhabited this area: they scattered across Southern California, in the United States, and the cities of Ensenada and Tecate.

“Although the hill is divided by the border, the Kumiai used to be able to cross over. Now it seems to me that they can’t anymore,” says Olmos Aguilera. The Kumiai are considered a binational culture, but the Trump administration is reluctant to allow border crossings. The situation has angered the Kumiai. “They hold constant protests at the border,” says Olmos.

The Kumiai language belongs to the Hokana language family (which includes Seri and Yumano-Cochimí, among others). A 2018 publication by the Colegio de la Frontera states that there were about 200 speakers. “Yes, there are few. But their vitality is much greater than that. The people are very strong,” says Olmo, emphasizing that the loss of their language is not the only indicator of how many people belong to the lineage.

In October 1992, the mountain was officially recognized as a historic and sacred site on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). In the database, the site is listed under the name Kuchamaa, located at Tecate Peak. “The mountain lies largely in the United States between the communities of Dulzura and Potrero. Tecate, Mexico sprawls for several miles along the southeastern base of the peak,” the document states. In Mexico, the site is considered Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Baja California border is not the only one whose hillsides have been blasted in the first days of April 2026. As reported by this newspaper, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted a video on social media showing the explosions in New Mexico. In it, they stated that Mount Cristo Rey, located between El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, was undergoing a “cosmetic procedure.” Building a wall in binational areas of high historical and cultural value — part of Trump’s original campaign promise — continues during his second term.

Located about 70 kilometers offshore with a water depth ranging from 52 to 56 meters, the 504-MW project adopts an innovative four-pile jacket foundation structure, with the tallest reaching 83.9 meters—the highest of its kind in the country. It is expected to generate approximately 1.7 billion kWh of electricity annually, saving around 500,000 tonnes of standard coal each year.

MOSCOW. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has called on relevant international organizations to properly assess Kiev’s terror attacks on journalists.

"While shooting a video report about the consequences of a Ukrainian drone attack on civilian facilities in Donetsk on April 6, Izvestia correspondent Yevgeny Bykovsky was targeted by a drone carrying an explosive munition. The journalist miraculously survived but sustained injuries. He received necessary medical assistance," she said in a commentary following the incident.

"The Kiev neo-Nazi regime continues committing crimes in violation of international humanitarian law. Such crimes include deliberate attacks on civilians, particularly journalists. There is no doubt that drone operators knew what they were doing, deliberately attacking ‘targets’ in urban areas far from the combat engagement line," she emphasized.

"The terrorist methods used by Ukrainian militants should be adequately assessed by relevant international structures, notably the OSCE, UNESCO, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights," she pointed out.

"Their persistent disregard by institutions with human rights mandates, or attempts to conceal such crimes behind meaningless comments, only encourage the Banderites to commit new atrocities and ultimately discredit the international human rights system ensuring free access to information and free expression," she added.

Critical support for [checks notes] Taiwanese diasporoids. Food is serious business. I was raised on copious amounts of bleu cheese and stinky tofu. All varieties are awesome. This is fining people for being #delicious & you would never treat Fr*nch "people" like this, #injustice #miscarriage

::: spoiler Expand article

A Los Angeles restaurant, which had been fined over stinky tofu complaints, is seeking public support to restore the pungent dish, arguing its return is vital for preserving cultural diversity.

Stinky tofu is no longer served at Golden Leaf in San Gabriel but the owner David Liao and his family are working to reinstate the dish, widely enjoyed across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan for its distinctive smell, according to Tribune News Service.

| | | Golden Leaf restaurant in Los Angeles, U.S. Photo by Google Maps/Lucky Chuck |

"The scene of stinky tofu in Taiwanese night markets is an invitation to community and tradition," owner David Liao said, adding that the dish is "a cherished taste of home and a source of cultural pride."

Across the San Gabriel Valley, several restaurants continue to offer the dish, typically deep-frying tofu cubes to create a crispy exterior and a porous, sponge-like interior. Its flavor and scent can vary from mild to intensely pungent, often compared to strong blue cheese or well-fermented kimchi.

For three years, stinky tofu was Golden Leaf’s signature item until a neighbour objected to the smell. In the autumn of 2017, a resident living north of the restaurant began lodging complaints.

"She said she could smell the stinky tofu, but we and other customers couldn’t smell it," said Liao, whose parents opened Golden Leaf in 2014.

Puzzled by the claims, the family canvassed nearby residential streets and neighboring businesses, asking whether anyone else could detect the odor.

"If our commercial neighbors complained to us that it’s affecting their business, then we would understand," Liao said. "But no one ever has."

Despite this, inspections by the health department, fire department and a city official followed. Liao said he was ultimately instructed to either control the smell or stop selling the dish.

Although Golden Leaf’s menu includes a variety of Taiwanese staples, stinky tofu generated between 10% and 20% of total revenue, making it difficult for the family to discontinue.

The restaurant initially continued selling the dish as complaints persisted. In September 2017, city authorities issued a violation notice citing a breach of municipal code, with potential fines of up to US$1,200. Liao’s parents subsequently removed stinky tofu from the menu,

Stinky tofu’s odor is central to its appeal for enthusiasts. The dish is typically produced by fermenting tofu in a brine with vegetables such as amaranth greens over days, weeks or months. It remains a staple of Taiwan’s night markets.

| | | Stinky tofu. Photo by Pixabay/focusonpc |

Los Angeles County hosts the largest Taiwanese population in the United States. "Keeping this unofficial national dish alive is crucial," Liao said. "For our customers, this isn’t just another menu item; it’s a connection to their roots."

In 2025, Liao attempted to reintroduce the dish through a newsletter announcing limited weekly releases. However, complaints resumed, and he said repeated calls from the same neighbor disrupted the restaurant’s phone line.

Within three months, the city issued a second formal violation notice.

"The city’s municipal code includes provisions related to odor impacts," writes David Sanchez, San Gabriel’s community development director, in an email. "When an odor extends beyond a property and creates discomfort for others, it may be considered a violation and addressed accordingly."

Food writer Clarissa Wei said perceptions of stinky tofu vary widely. "Internationally, and for outsiders, stinky tofu often gets framed as a novelty or even a dare," she said. "But in Taiwan, and across many parts of Asia, it’s just another comfort food."

Golden Leaf continued serving the dish until November 2025, accruing multiple citations. Liao said he has paid more than $1,000 in fines.

A Change.org petition launched last summer calling for support to continue selling stinky tofu in San Gabriel has gathered more than 1,000 signatures, with supporters framing the issue as one of cultural inclusion.

"This ban isn’t about public health or quality of life; it’s about whose culture is allowed to exist in public," one comment reads.

"I think it's ridiculous," said Thomas Purscelley, the owner of the nearby Roxy's Liquor and Mini-Mart, as cited by CBS News.

"David has done a really great job, him and his team, preventing this smell coming out and being a nuisance. I'm right next door. We have never smelled the stinky tofu. I didn't even know he was smelling it."

Wei compares stinky tofu to other pungent foods such as natto, kimchi and aged fish, noting that cultural misunderstanding can shape perceptions.

"When foods are labeled obnoxious or adverse, it risks flattening that diversity," she writes. "Stinky tofu gets a bad rap largely because people, both abroad and even within Taiwan, don’t fully understand how it’s made."

San Gabriel city council member John Wu said the dispute centers on odor control rather than cultural differences, confirming the city has received multiple complaints. He suggests improved filtration could resolve the issue.

"We don’t stop people from selling dishes because they are smelly, but they should keep the smells inside the unit," Wu said.

"It’s subjective, and people feel differently about different smells. We can check noise levels at a business, but we don’t have a device that detects how much something smells."

Wu cited a nearby coffee shop that resolved similar complaints after installing a filtration system.

"This has nothing to do with any cultural things, but it’s more like a food smell control issue," Wu said. "We have many restaurants selling stinky tofu, but this is so far the only restaurant where we have those complaints from residents.

Other local establishments, including Dong Ting Xian and Yung Ho Cafe, continue to serve stinky tofu. Wu noted that Golden Leaf’s proximity to residential areas may contribute to the issue.

Relocation is not feasible for the restaurant. Liao has explored installing a filtration system or a ventless fryer, estimating costs of $20,000 to $50,000 for the fryer and about $100,000 for filtration, excluding permits.

"With all these options, I was looking for a guarantee," Liao said. "We were willing to work with the city, but they couldn’t put anything in writing, and we don’t have the money to just invest and see if it works."

Wu said no such guarantee can be provided.’ "I truly hope he can start selling the dish again," he said. "We hope the money he spends on a filtration machine will be worth it for him, but we can only offer that this might be a good solution and hope he gets a good result."

MINSK, 7 April (BelTA) – The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Institute of Optics and Electronics of China plan to open a joint laboratory within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. This was discussed at a meeting between First Deputy Chairman of the NASB Presidium Vitaly Zalevsky and Professor Zhu Xiao of the Institute of Optics and Electronics at Huazhong University of Science and Technology on 6 April, the NASB press service told BelTA.

The parties discussed prospects for bilateral scientific and technical cooperation, including in combined material-processing technologies, as well as opportunities for synergy between laser technologies and magnetic-pulse processing, which open new horizons for the creation of high-tech products. They also spoke about joint participation in the competition for flagship Belarus-China scientific and technical projects and in a major optics and electronics exhibition to be held in Wuhan in May 2026.

All cooperation agreements between Huazhong University of Science and Technology and the NASB Physical-Technical Institute were formalized in a protocol signed following the meeting by Zhu Xiao and Igor Smyaglikov, Deputy Director for Research of the Physical-Technical Institute.

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A 7.5-metric ton unmanned cargo aircraft powered by the AEP100, China's independently developed megawatt-class hydrogen-fueled turboprop engine, successfully completed its maiden flight on Saturday at an airport in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, marking the world's first test flight of a megawatt-class hydrogen-fueled aviation turboprop engine.

Throughout the flight, the engine remained in good condition. The aircraft flew for 16 minutes, covering 36 kilometers at a speed of 220 km/hour and at an altitude of 300 meters. After completing its scheduled flight tasks, it returned safely, marking a successful maiden flight, according to the Aero Engine Corporation of China, the developer.

According to experts from AECC, the successful maiden flight represents a significant leap from technological development to engineering application of domestically developed megawatt-class hydrogen-fueled aviation engines. The technology is also expected to drive coordinated upgrades across the industrial chain, including upstream green hydrogen production, midstream storage and refueling infrastructure, and downstream high-end equipment and new materials clusters, promoting the green, low-carbon and high-quality development of the country's aviation industry.

This indicates that China has established a complete technical chain, from core components to full system integration, in the field of hydrogen-fueled aviation engines, verifying the engineering reliability of integrating hydrogen-powered systems with flight platforms. This lays a foundation for the future industrial application of hydrogen energy in aviation and marks an important step in China's transition from technological exploration to engineering practice in green aviation power, the experts said.

They added that as the cost of green hydrogen production continues to decline, the economic and energy security advantages of hydrogen-powered aviation will gradually become more apparent. The technology is expected to be initially applied in low-altitude sectors such as unmanned cargo transport and island logistics, before gradually expanding to regional and eventually trunk passenger aircraft.

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route, are causing a sharp decline in global oil flows. Major Gulf oil producers are considering diverting exports through alternative routes outside the Strait of Hormuz, while the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners (OPEC+) have agreed to increase production quotas to alleviate supply pressure on the oil market.

Conflicts in the Middle East have led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, paralysing exports from OPEC+ member countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and Iraq.

The disruptions are severe, with exports from Saudi Arabia falling to 4.39 million barrels per day, the UAE to 2.13 million barrels per day, and Iraq to only 561,000 barrels per day. Meanwhile, the other two Gulf nations, Kuwait and Qatar, have virtually disappeared from the export map.

Crude oil exports by sea from Gulf countries (excluding Iran) in March fell by 49% compared to the previous month before the conflict. While alternative routes are insufficient to compensate, Gulf countries must quickly develop "Plan B" solutions for oil and gas flows by diverting exports through the Red Sea, utilising ports outside the Strait of Hormuz, or restoring shipping routes from Iraq via Türkiye and Syria.

The current conflict is forcing Gulf countries to reconsider the construction of new pipelines to avoid the “bottleneck” through the Strait of Hormuz in order to maintain stability in oil and gas export flows.

Saudi Arabia clearly recognises the strategic value of the 1,200km East-West pipeline to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, which completely bypasses Hormuz. In the context of the current conflict, this pipeline has become a vital lifeline, transporting approximately 7 million barrels of oil per day, and is currently the primary route being utilised.

Saudi Arabia is considering developing additional export ports on the Red Sea coast, including a deep-water port to serve the Neom project. Meanwhile, the UAE is considering the most feasible option at this time: expanding the East-West route and the existing pipeline from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah Port, thereby increasing transport capacity without building complex cross-border infrastructure.

Regional officials and business leaders believe that new pipelines may be the only viable solution currently available to reduce the long-standing dependence on the easily disrupted shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

The oil market has already experienced five weeks of significant volatility due to the confrontation between the US-Israel military alliance and Iran. Concerned that attacks on energy infrastructure would increase volatility in the oil market and negatively impact global supply, OPEC+ members recently agreed to increase oil production quotas by 206,000 barrels per day starting in May.

However, this is a modest, largely symbolic increase as key OPEC+ members are unable to actually increase production due to the impact of the conflict between the US and Israel on Iran. Furthermore, this quota increase is negligible, representing less than 2% of the supply disruptions caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Given the tight flow of crude oil from the Gulf, major producers such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, and Kuwait are forced to cut supply, so OPEC+’s decision is largely theoretical, intended to highlight their intention to restore production as soon as the conflict subsides.

Despite increasing production quotas, OPEC+ also emphasised the vital importance of protecting international sea lanes to ensure uninterrupted energy flows.

Although Gulf countries have attempted to implement temporary solutions to maintain the flow of oil exports, after more than a month of conflict, alternative transport routes such as pipelines and land corridors in the region are only operating at about 40% of their normal capacity, unable to replace the central role of the Strait of Hormuz. In reality, as long as the Hormuz “bottleneck” remains unaddressed, the global “energy choke” will continue to create significant challenges in maintaining oil supplies.

it's a meme on a missile. highest stage of posting. https://xcancel.com/iribnews_irib/status/2041206827602345989#m <- this is not a joke and it kicks ass

Check the barrel price for oil. You need to check the barrel pr