Tuesday morning news: April 25, 2023

Sudan » The U.S. government is working to get Americans safely out of worn-torn Sudan.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan:

JAKE SULLIVAN: We have deployed US intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to support land evacuation routes, which Americans are using. 

But he said there are no U.S. troops on the ground.

Pentagon spokesman, Brigadier General Pat Ryder said the US is also deploying naval assets off the coast of Sudan.

PAT RYDER: The idea here is to have these capabilities offshore available should we need, for example, to transport citizens to another location, should we need to provide medical care, those kinds of things.

Foreign governments have airlifted hundreds of their diplomats and others to safety.

The country has spiraled into chaos amid fighting between rival generals vying for control of Sudan.

Biden » President Biden is reportedly expected to announce a reelection bid this week, possibly as soon as today. WORLD’s Josh Schumacher has more.

JOSH SCHUMACHER: On Monday, Biden told reporters—quote—“I told you I’m planning on running.” And he added, “I’ll let you know real soon.”

So far, only self-help author Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are mounting challenges to Biden. And the Democratic National Committee plans to give the president a clear path to the nomination.

But the general election could prove tougher. Recent separate polls by Harvard-Harris and the Wall Street Journal suggest voters would prefer either former President Trump or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to another Biden term.

If reelected, the nation’s oldest president would remain in office until age 86.

For WORLD, I’m Josh Schumacher.

Carlson, Lemon departures » Two of the most recognizable figures in cable news are out of a job.

Fox News announced Monday that it has parted ways with top-rated host Tucker Carlson.

ROBERT THOMPSON: This was a big surprise.

Professor Robert Thompson is director of the Center for Television and Pop Culture at Syracuse University.

THOMPSON: One of their big money-makers now being kicked to the curb. At the same time, they’re having to shell out an enormous amount of money to Dominion voters.

Fox News will pay nearly 800 million dollars to settle a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems. Dominion sued Fox after coverage on Carlson’s program suggested the company rigged its voting machines against former President Donald Trump.

Also on Monday, CNN fired longtime host Don Lemon weeks after he made a sexist comment about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

Sen. Kennedy attack » Utah Republican State Senator Mike Kennedy is speaking out after his house was vandalized, apparently by pro-LGBT activists.

That came after he sponsored a bill to protect minors from gender transition procedures. The governor signed it into law earlier this year.

MIKE KENNEDY: These violent messages were left on my garage door, and you'll notice that their blood red dripping blood red spray paint, which I find to be frankly shocking. And this is an effort to silence me and I will not be silenced.

The messages were signed with a term for people who identify as transgender.

Kennedy said even his political opponents have come forward to condemn the violence. The LGBT advocacy group Equality Utah, also condemned the attack.

China ex-Soviet remarks » China’s Foreign Ministry is walking back remarks by a top Chinese official.

Global leaders began grilling Beijing after the Chinese ambassador to France said ex-Soviet Baltic states don’t have independent status under international law.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said Monday that he wanted clarification from Beijing about those remarks.

GABRIELIUS LANDSBERGIS: And to remind him that we are not post-Soviet countries we’re the countries that were illegally occupied by Soviet Union.

MAO NING: [Speaking Mandarin]

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning sought to clarify Beijing’s stance on Monday, saying that China respects the sovereignty of ex-Soviet countries.

Kenya cult » Police in Kenya have discovered the bodies of at least 73 people who belonged to a religious cult.

A local human rights group warned the police about Kenya’s Good News International Church. Its pastor allegedly told members to starve themselves.

Authorities have arrested the pastor. He could face charges related to terrorism.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: how last week’s Supreme Court order affects the legal battle around chemical abortions. Plus, polyamory comes to the justice of the peace. 

This is The World and Everything in It.

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