Page 26 – THE LOCAL REPORT ARTICLES

Was Macron slapped by his wife Brigitte? New book claims French president once praised Iranian actress as “very beautiful”

WORLD

-

May 14, 2026

Was Macron slapped by his wife Brigitte? New book claims French president once praised Iranian actress as “very beautiful”

Was Macron slapped by his wife Brigitte? New book claims French president once praised Iranian actress as

french president Emmanuel Macron He is embroiled in fresh controversy after a new book claimed his wife, Brigitte MacronLast year, he slapped an Iranian-born actress after allegedly seeing flirtatious messages on his phone during an official trip.Journalist Florian Tardif made the claim in his book An (Almost) Perfect Couple, which suggested that tensions between the couple escalated after Brigitte saw messages allegedly sent between Emmanuel Macron and the actress Geshfi Farahani When I traveled to Vietnam in May last year.The incident allegedly occurred as the couple was preparing to depart Hanoi on a plane. Brigitte was later caught on camera tweeting the president, and the video went viral.Brigitte allegedly read a message from Farahani on her husband’s phone shortly before the public exchange, according to excerpts cited by French newspaper Le Parisien. One of the messages allegedly contained the words: “I find you beautiful,” and was said to have been sent by President Macron.Journalist Florian Tardif claimed in an interview that the exchanges were related to a “platonic relationship” between the president and the actress.“I find you very beautiful,” President Macron said to Farahani in one of the messages, according to Tardif, whose book “An (Almost) Perfect Couple” was published on Wednesday.He further said: “The French president had a platonic love affair with the actress that lasted for several months.”According to the book, the situation created tension in the president’s marriage and led to a “slap” moment on the steps of an airplane that went viral.However, the Elysée Palace (the official residence of the French president in Paris) denied this. Representatives for Brigitte Macron have denied the accusations and insisted she would never check her husband’s phone.“Brigitte Macron categorically denied this claim directly to the author on March 5, stating that she never looked at her husband’s phone,” a representative told Le Parisien.Farahani, who has long faced rumors of a relationship with the French president, has also denied any romance.“I think some people are lacking love and they need to create romance like this to fill it [the void]”, she told Le Point in March.Video circulating in Hanoi showed Macron turning towards his wife as she pushed him in the face. He briefly appeared shocked before regaining his composure and greeting the camera.At the time, the Elysée Palace dismissed the incident as a lighthearted affair. “This was one of the last moments the president and his wife had to relax by joking before the trip,” a close associate said.Macron himself later described it as an act of fun, saying the reaction was exaggerated as “a geo-planetary catastrophe”.

The ancient city of Troy took more than 4,000 years to be rebuilt | World News

WORLD

WEB DESK TEAM

-

May 14, 2026

0

The ancient city of Troy took more than 4,000 years to be rebuilt | World News

The ancient city of Troy went through more than 4,000 years of reconstruction

Computers: UNESCO World Heritage Site

The landscape surrounding Troy does not immediately suggest an ancient city preserved in isolation. The ground rises gradually at Hisarlik, a mound formed more by repeated human occupation than by natural formation. Stone walls appear next to crumbling foundations from an entirely different era. Some parts of the earth contain traces of settlements separated by centuries. What survives today is the result of continual reconstruction over a long history, not the remains of a civilization frozen in time.The archaeological site represents over 4,000 years of human habitation. The mound preserves evidence of several major settlement phases that overlapped one another, creating an unusually dense historical record in northwestern Türkiye near the Dardanelles Strait.

how Troy ancient city Become a layered archaeological site

Troy expands through accumulation. The early settlements did not completely disappear when later communities arrived. Buildings collapsed, walls were buried, fires left ruins, and new buildings gradually rose above the ruins. Over generations, the ground level continued to rise, turning the settlement into layered mounds.It is reported UNESCO World Heritage Sitethe site contains “several layers of settlement,” each reflecting a different historical stage. Over time, the houses, walls and public spaces changed, with earlier structures being buried under later construction. Some layers reveal defensive sections with defensive walls, while others preserve traces of domestic life and the changing urban layout. The site leaves a mixed impression. One area may belong to a Bronze Age settlement, while nearby remains point to a later period. Time is compressed in the same landscape.

Strategic location to keep the ancient city of Troy alive

Troy’s location partly explains its longevity. The settlement is close to the routes connecting the Aegean Sea to the interior and the waterways around the Dardanelles. Movement through this region has been of commercial and military importance for centuries.According to the UNESCO report, the site occupies a position that “controls the Dardanelles” and helps explain why settlements from different civilizations and historical periods persist. Even after decline or destruction, geography itself remains useful enough for later population returns. This continuity is visible archaeologically. Troy was not an isolated historical moment but developed through cycles of reconstruction shaped by changing social and regional influences.

The ancient city of Troy reveals a changing civilization over the centuries

Public attention often focuses on the connection between Troy and the ancient epic tradition, particularly the story associated with Homer. However, the archaeological significance of the site goes far beyond literary interpretation.Troy is reported to be of “considerable scientific importance” because of the long cultural sequence preserved within the mound. These remains provide evidence of changes in settlement patterns, architectural styles and urban organization over thousands of years. Some levels suggest times of prosperity and expansion. Others indicate destruction followed by reconstruction. Transitions aren’t always clean or easy to separate. This complexity is part of what makes this site unique.

Troy’s ancient walls reveal city rebuilt over generations

The visible ruins of Troy represent only a part of the settlement’s history. Much of its importance lies beneath the surface, built up over time through successive careers. Each generation slightly altered the site, leaving behind fragments that were later buried under new construction.According to the UNESCO report, the Troy ruins record multiple periods of “continuous habitation.” Walls from different centuries are now closely connected, as later settlements reused and built on the earlier foundations rather than clearing them entirely. Today’s website reflects this long-term continuity. Walls from different centuries are closely connected, sometimes overlapping and sometimes separated only by thin layers of earth. The result feels less like a single ruined city and more like a stacked history of human habitation that gradually blends into the landscape itself.

Where is little Tom Keen? New Jersey Republican congressman’s absence from House due to health issues sparks controversy

WORLD

WEB DESK TEAM

-

May 14, 2026

0

Where is little Tom Keen? New Jersey Republican congressman’s absence from House due to health issues sparks controversy

Thomas Keane Jr., republican The U.S. House representative from New Jersey has been absent from the House of Representatives for more than 60 days as he continues to deal with “personal health issues.” When the U.S. House of Representatives resumed session on Tuesday, May 12, Keane Jr. was once again absent, sparking outrage from his rival Democratic lawmakers.

U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (left) and Kean Jr. with his wife Rhonda. (Rep. Tom Keene Jr. on Instagram)

Kean Jr., who has served as a member of the House of Representatives for New Jersey’s 7th District since 2023, has not revealed what exactly the “private health issues” in the case are.

As the House returns to session this week, his office released a statement Assuring lawmakers and the public that he would return to his normal full schedule “soon.” His absence has also frustrated other Republican lawmakers, given that the party currently holds a slim majority in the House.

Where is Thomas Keane Jr.?

Thomas Keene Jr. is not only absent from the U.S. House of Representatives, but he has also not been seen in public recently. His official social media accounts remain active, with regular posts celebrating holidays such as Nurses Day, but none of them feature the 57-year-old himself.

On Tuesday, for example, he shared photos of congressional staff participating in the “10th Anniversary Celebration of Our North Jersey Community Salute to Honor the Class of 2026 High School Enlistees.” However, members of Congress were conspicuously absent.

“Congressman Keene is still dealing with personal health issues and we appreciate everyone’s outpouring of support,” his chief of staff Dan Scharffenberg said in a statement Monday. “He will be back to his normal full schedule soon.”

Also read: Trump’s attack on Kash Patel goes viral amid FBI controversy: ‘If you could get a little more publicity…’

However, the statement did not clarify what health issues Kean Jr. is dealing with or a timetable for his return to the House of Representatives.

Colleagues support young Keane

Despite internal frustration over Tom Keene Jr.’s absence, which could be a roadblock to the bill’s passage, his Republican colleagues expressed support and sought to explain his absence.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said last month that he had been in contact with Keane and expected the 57-year-old to make a full recovery.

“Tom is one of the most dedicated and hard-working members of Congress, and I appreciate everything he has done and will continue to serve New Jerseyans and our country,” Johnson said, without specifying the nature of his health issues.

Currently, Republicans hold 217 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, while Democrats hold 212 seats. There are still 5 seats available.

Harshkumar Patel seeks to quash convictions related to Indian family freezing to death at US-Canada border

WORLD

WEB DESK TEAM

-

May 14, 2026

0

Harshkumar Patel seeks to quash convictions related to Indian family freezing to death at US-Canada border

Harshkumar Patel asks US court to quash his conviction

A U.S. court has been asked to overturn the conviction and sentence of Harshkumar Patel, a man found guilty in a human smuggling case linked to the 2022 freezing death of an Indian family of four near the Manitoba-Minnesota border.Patel was convicted in 2024 and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. He has appealed, saying legal errors affected his trial. He is now representing himself after raising concerns about his attorney last year, according to court documents filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals.The document said there were problems with the way the jury was directed and the way the sentence was applied. Patel asked the court to quash his conviction on all counts or overturn some of the charges and send the case back for a new trial.Patel and his co-defendant Steve Shand were convicted in November 2024 by a federal jury in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The jury took less than 90 minutes to convict the two men on charges including illegally bringing immigrants into the United States, transporting them and profiting from them.The case stems from a tragic incident in January 2022, when a family in Gujarat froze to death while trying to walk from Manitoba into Minnesota during a severe snowstorm. The victims include 39-year-old Jagdish Patel, his 37-year-old wife Vaishali, 11-year-old daughter Vihangi and 3-year-old son Dharmik. Their bodies were later found in a snow-covered field about 12 meters from the US border.The temperature that night dropped to minus 23 degrees Celsius, with a cold wind making it feel closer to minus 35 to minus 38 degrees Celsius. The family walked in the deep snow for hours wearing very little clothing before slowly freezing to death.Patel was identified as the organizer of a smuggling network who hired Shand, a Florida resident, to transport immigrants after they entered the United States. Shand was arrested that evening after he was found trapped in a van with other Indian nationals near the Minnesota border. He was later sentenced to six and a half years in prison, followed by supervised release.Separately, Shand filed a motion with the Court of Appeal last month seeking to overturn his conviction and sentence. His filing claims the traffic stop that led to his arrest was illegal and raises questions about the sentencing decisions, particularly the finding that he was responsible for the deaths of an Indian family who died while crossing through snow.It also noted that Suntech “did not know and had no control over [human smuggling operation] Leaders decided to allow a family with young children to cross in unfavorable weather conditions. “A judge had previously rejected requests for acquittal or ordering a retrial in April 2025, finding there was sufficient evidence against the pair.

Trump’s attack on Kash Patel goes viral amid FBI controversy: ‘If you could get a little more publicity…’

WORLD

WEB DESK TEAM

-

May 14, 2026

0

Trump’s attack on Kash Patel goes viral amid FBI controversy: ‘If you could get a little more publicity…’

President of the United States Donald Trump Appears to be an open attack on the FBI director Kashi Patel The quote went viral during a White House event this week as Patel faces increasing scrutiny over allegations related to her conduct and leadership.

Trump's comments came days after The Atlantic published allegations of — Trump’s comments came days after The Atlantic published allegations of “drinking and unexplained absences” from Patel. (Reuters photo)

Speaking at a gathering of Republican allies and guests at the President’s Rose Garden Club on Monday, Trump joked about Patel’s growing public profile. “FBI Director Kash Patel. Is he getting enough publicity?” Trump said, according to the US “Mirror” report.

“It would be great if you could get more publicity…” the president added, then laughed.

Controversy surrounding Patel

Trump’s comments came days after The Atlantic published accusations of “drinking and unexplained absences” from Patel while leading the White House. FBI.

The report, citing unnamed officials, said Patel’s late-night gatherings allegedly forced aides to reschedule early-morning meetings. It also claimed his security staff had sought to “sabotage the device” after being unable to get a response from behind a locked door.

Also read: What charges does Wang Ailin face? Kash Patel speaks after Acadia mayor accused of being Chinese foreign agent

Patel has denied the accusations and filed a reported $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic.

This comes after a video went viral showing Patel drinking beers with the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team in Milan.

Intense Senate hearing

Patel’s troubles deepened when he appeared before a Senate committee on Tuesday to push for increased FBI funding while facing questions about the allegations.

During the hearing, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen pressed Patel on claims about his drinking habits and asked him whether he would undergo an audit-style test to identify potential alcohol problems among service members.

Also read: ‘Why was Kash Patel left out of Cole Allen’s list?’ Internet explodes after manifesto revealed, mobile phone scrolling video

The exchange between the two sides became heated.

Patel fired back, accusing Van Hollen of wasting taxpayer money, saying: “The only person in El Salvador spending taxpayer money drinking margaritas with a convicted gang-rapist is you.”

The two interrupted each other several times during the tense confrontation, and related videos circulated online.

Despite the growing controversy, the White House has publicly defended Patel. “The president has full confidence in his administration,” the White House said in a statement.

A 27-year-old Indian man died in a rare bear attack in Canada; the last fatal incident occurred 6 years ago

WORLD

WEB DESK TEAM

-

May 14, 2026

0

A 27-year-old Indian man died in a rare bear attack in Canada; the last fatal incident occurred 6 years ago

A 27-year-old man from India has died after being attacked by a black bear at a uranium exploration site in Saskatchewan, Canada.According to CBC News, this is considered an extremely rare fatal incident in the province.The attack occurred near Nordbye Lake on Friday night while the man was performing contract duties at the Zoo Bay property operated by UraniumX Discovery Corp in Vancouver. The site is approximately 850 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon.The man moved to Canada three years ago and lives in Penticton, B.C., according to his brother. His name has not yet been officially released. The attack took place approximately 78 kilometers from Lake Nordbye.The company said in a statement that it provided assistance to workers on site following the emergency.“This incident is one of the emergencies in which we are called upon to provide assistance,” the statement said.The company said it provided equipment and supplies to staff working with the victims.“Our condolences go out to the family and colleagues of the person who suffered the fatal attack,” the company wrote.After the attack, a civilian at the scene shot and killed the bear. The animal was sent to Western Veterinary College in Saskatoon for a necropsy. Investigators are expected to examine the bear’s health, condition and other evidence related to the incident.Douglas Clark, a professor in the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan and an expert on human-bear conflict, said bear attacks in Saskatchewan are very rare.“This incident is only the fourth recorded in the province,” Clark said.“The last time was six years ago,” Clark said.He added: “You have to look years in advance to find the next one on the record.”The most recent previous fatal attack occurred in 2020, when 44-year-old Stephanie Blais was killed near the family cabin north of Buffalo Sound. Prior to this, two men were killed in separate bear attacks near Nipawin Provincial Park in 1983.Clark warned that conditions in northern Saskatchewan this spring have increased risks for outdoor workers.“It’s been a very relaxing spring,” he said.“There’s still a lot of snow on the ground out there. That means the bears coming out of their dens are going to have less food than usual,” he added.He explained that because of the limited food available after hibernation, bears will travel great distances in search of food.The day of the attack, authorities warned the public that bears were emerging from hibernation and advised residents and workers to take precautions in wilderness areas.Clark also urged people in bear-prone areas to carry bear spray. “It’s proven to be effective across all species in North America,” he said.

Hantavirus update: Could cruise ship virus be the next coronavirus? WHO says it ‘expects’ more cases

WORLD

WEB DESK TEAM

-

May 14, 2026

0

Hantavirus update: Could cruise ship virus be the next coronavirus? WHO says it ‘expects’ more cases

Hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise ship kills 18 American Undergoing medical observation throughout the process USAraising pressing questions about how the virus spreads and whether it could become the next major public health threat.

Can hantavirus spread through the air like COVID-19? (Reuters)

As of Tuesday, one passenger was being monitored at the University of Nebraska’s Biocontainment Center and 15 others were in quarantine at the University of Nebraska’s National Quarantine Center. Two other passengers, one of whom was showing symptoms, were sent to a biocontainment unit at Emory University in Atlanta. The symptomatic person tested negative for the Andean variant of hantavirus, the only strain known to be spread between people. USA Today.

The World Health Organization has confirmed that there are at least 11 confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship outbreak worldwide, and three of them have died. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the number is likely to rise. “The incubation period is also six to eight weeks. So because of the interactions they had while they were still on the ship, especially before they started taking some infectious disease precautions… we would expect to see more cases,” he said at a Tuesday press conference on USA TODAY.

Also read: Hantavirus outbreak: 5 things you need to know about virus, three deaths among Atlantic cruise passengers

What is a “third generation” case? Why is it shocking?

One of the biggest concerns sparking public fear is the reported possibility of so-called “third generation” transmission.

The first generation cases were direct infections from the original source. Second-generation cases occur when an infected person passes it on to another person. Third-generation cases mean the virus is spreading again through another human chain.

Reports of possible third-generation transmission have sparked concerns online that the virus may now spread more easily from one person to another. However, just because a few people spread the virus to others doesn’t mean the virus is highly contagious.

Also read: ‘We’re not just…’: Man trapped on MV Hondius breaks down after hantavirus outbreak

Are hantaviruses spread through the air like COVID-19?

Despite growing concerns, scientists and the World Health Organization know that hantaviruses do not spread through the air the way Covid-19 does. However, there are few symptoms that look similar but are not the same.

According to reports, most hantavirus infections occur when people inhale virus particles in the urine, feces or saliva of infected rodents. CDC. In rare cases, it can also be spread through bites or scratches from infected rodents. Hantaviruses cause two serious illnesses: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which affects the lungs and is primarily found in the Western Hemisphere, including the United States; and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which affects the kidneys and is more common in Europe and Asia.

HPS is particularly dangerous. According to the CDC, 38% of people who develop respiratory symptoms from the disease are likely to die from it. Symptoms usually appear one to eight weeks after exposure to an infected rodent, starting with fatigue, fever and muscle aches and progressing to coughing, shortness of breath and dangerous fluid accumulation in the lungs.

While the Andean strain found in South America can spread from person to person in close contact, experts stress that even this spread is still limited.

There is currently no specific treatment for hantavirus. Patients receive supportive care, including rest, hydration, and symptom management. Patients with severe dyspnea may require intubation, and renal complications from HFRS may require dialysis.

‘H-1B regulation is…’: Industry experts weigh in as U.S. plans to raise wage rules for foreign workers

WORLD

WEB DESK TEAM

-

May 13, 2026

0

‘H-1B regulation is…’: Industry experts weigh in as U.S. plans to raise wage rules for foreign workers

Skilled foreign professionals traveling to the United States may soon face higher salary thresholds and stricter visa regulations, with proposed changes expected to increase minimum wage requirements for H-1B and employment-based immigration categories by 21% to 33%.The moves come as U.S. authorities are restricting high-skilled immigration, particularly in STEM fields, by raising wages and reducing post-graduation job options for international students.In March 2026, the Department of Labor (DOL) released a proposal that would increase the prevailing wage required for H-1B visa holders and employment-based immigrants. The rule would increase minimum wage levels by 21% to 33% based on experience. The comment period will close in late May and is expected to be completed in late 2026 or early 2027.In addition to wage changes, immigration enforcement is tightening in other areas. In September 2025, the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa entrants, a move that has affected employers’ demand for overseas talent.Further restrictions are expected to target international students. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to replace the “period of status” system with a fixed enrollment period that would require students to seek government approval for an extension. This may affect students enrolled in longer degree programs and may hinder study in the United States.Officials are also expected to introduce rules limiting Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT, programs that currently allow graduates to work in the United States after completing their studies. OPT provides work authorization for 12 months, while STEM OPT is further extended for 24 months.Industry experts say the effects of these measures are already showing. “The continued negative press and regulation on H-1B is having an impact,” Green & Spiegel’s Jonathan Grode told Forbes.“The weighted lottery and potential $100,000 fee significantly reduces employer interest in the H-1B visa category, and small employers in particular may be excluded from the category entirely if the proposed wage level ‘surcharge’ is implemented,” he added.There are also growing concerns about processing delays and stricter adjudication standards. Dagmar Butte of Parker Butte told Forbes: “Processing times are getting longer. When time is of the essence, such as when a 240-day authorization to submit an extension promptly is about to expire, we submit all premium or upgraded information.”Agencies are challenging salary levels and documentation, creating uncertainty for employers even if applications are submitted correctly, she added.Legal practitioners also point out that visa applications have become more complex following changes to key forms. Vic Goel of Goel & Anderson told Forbes: “A strong professional career argument therefore emphasizes the complexity of the position, the depth of expertise required and the advanced qualifications required for the position.”They added: “Appropriate prevailing wage levels, on the other hand, are determined based on the minimum qualifications required to perform the duties of the position—that is, what is required of an entry-level, qualified, experienced, or fully competent worker in the occupation, as benchmarked against the Department of Labor’s O*NET Occupational Database. These are related but distinct issues that reinforce each other and may weaken the other.”“Even the most skilled immigration categories are affected, with recent data showing rising denial rates for EB-1 and EB-2 green card applications.

Los Angeles mayoral race intensifies, Spencer Pratt caught lying; new poll focuses on Karen Bass, Nithya Raman

WORLD

WEB DESK TEAM

-

May 13, 2026

0

Los Angeles mayoral race intensifies, Spencer Pratt caught lying; new poll focuses on Karen Bass, Nithya Raman

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Platt may have just screwed up. The 42-year-old comes just days after posting a video showing him living in a trailer following the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles, although he himself admitted he didn’t live there. Instead, Pratt stayed at a luxury hotel, where a standard room can cost anywhere from $1,000 to more than $1,700 per night. Prices for the hotel’s higher-end suites can be much higher, including the hotel’s Swan Lake Suite, which reportedly costs more than $8,000 per night.

Spencer Pratt speaks during appearance "fox and friends" Fox News headquarters (Andy Kropa/Invision/AP) — Spencer Pratt speaks on “Fox & Friends” at Fox News headquarters (Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Why is this a blatant lie?

Platt recently took aim at his opponents Karen Bass and Nithya Rahman, saying his home was destroyed in the Los Angeles fire. In a campaign-style video filmed after his family lost their home, the former TV star stood in front of a trailer and declared: “This is where I live.”

However, Platt later disputed the claim that he actually lived there full-time.

“We asked Spencer if he had ever lived in a trailer and he said no,” TMZ reported Wednesday, adding, “I’ve never told anyone I lived there.” “

Yet in a campaign ad, he stood in front of a trailer and said bluntly: “This is where I live.”

Why Spencer Pratt Doesn’t Live in the Trailer

Platt told the publication that he pulled out of the trailer, which he mentioned frequently in his campaign messaging, due to safety concerns and alleged death threats. Pratt has reportedly been staying at the ultra-luxurious Bel Air Hotel for more than a month.

Platt told TMZ the move was strictly for safety reasons.

“The reality is that the Bastards and the Lamanians are kind of crazy, and since I destroyed them in the debates and soared in the polls, they’ve become increasingly desperate and hostile.”

He added, “I can’t talk about specific threats, but that group of people … are not safe right now.”

Sources cited in the report said Pratt’s wife, Heidi Montag, and their children currently live in Carpinteria, and that the trailer that became part of Pratt’s public narrative is no longer in use.

New Poll: Spencer Platt vs Nithya Raman vs Karen Bass

Meanwhile, an Emerson College Poll/California Politics Insider Survey released on May 13 showed that incumbent Mayor Karen Bass currently leads with 30% of voters. This marks a significant jump from Bath’s 20% in March.

The poll also highlights one of the biggest shifts in the race so far: a sharp drop in undecided voters from 51% in March to 16% in May, suggesting that many residents have finally decided on their preferred candidate.

Bass’s recent momentum has been fueled by a high-profile endorsement from former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Spencer Pratt’s approval ratings surge

While Bass still leads overall, the biggest increase in support goes to Spencer Platt. The poll found Platt’s approval rating climbed to 22% in May from 10% in March, making him one of the biggest surprises in the race.

Meanwhile, Nithya Raman’s approval rating has also risen significantly, rising to 19% in the latest survey from 9% in March.

The three candidates recently shared the stage in a mayoral debate on NBC4 and Telemundo 52, with issues such as homelessness, wildfire recovery and housing policy dominating the discussion.

Other candidates remain far behind the frontrunners

All but three of the major candidates continue to trail significantly in voter support.

Nonprofit executive and entrepreneur Adam Miller has an approval rating of 7% in the latest poll, up slightly from 4% earlier this year.

Rae Chen Huang, a pastor and housing advocate, saw her approval rating rise slightly, from 3% to 4%.

The official list of candidates released by the City Clerk’s Office also includes Bryant Acosta, Asaad Alnajjar, Nelson Cheng, Tish Hyman, Andrew Kim, Suzy Kim, John Logsdon, Juanita Lopez and Andrej A. Selivra. Candidates Griselda Diaz and Misael Ortega are also in the running.

Election day is coming

Los Angeles voters will go to the polls on June 2 to elect a mayor. If no candidate secures an outright majority, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff election scheduled for November.

Tang Zi vs. “Philosopher King” Xi Jinping: Interpreting the worldviews of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping | World News

WORLD

WEB DESK TEAM

-

May 13, 2026

0

Tang Zi vs. “Philosopher King” Xi Jinping: Interpreting the worldviews of Donald Trump and Xi Jinping | World News

Trump lands in Beijing; Xi Jinping doesn't welcome US president in person | See what happened

FILE – President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, June 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

In April of this year, a particular meme took the Chinese internet by storm: “Tang Zi”. portmanteau of Donald Trump and Sun Tzu, which imagines the 47th president of the United States as a strategic sage whose wisdom somehow escapes grammar and causality. The meme is filled with Trumpian “winning” sayings, including “Break the enemy’s blockade by blocking the enemy’s blockade,” “If you don’t know what you’re doing, your enemy doesn’t either,” and “If you don’t have a goal, you can’t lose.” Sun Tzu wrote “The Art of War”. Tangzi seems to have written “The Art of What’s Happening?” 》This meme works because it captures the reality of how Trump uses power. He does not practice strategy in the old sense of dogma, discipline, patience, and a clearly defined end state. His genius, if he was being generous, was in turning chaos into leverage. He makes so much noise that everyone else has to explain it. He declares victory before, during, after, and sometimes in place of the battle. In Trump’s world, this declaration is not a description of reality. This is an attempt to replace it.

watch

Trump lands in Beijing; Xi Jinping doesn’t welcome US president in person | See what happened

Which brings us to the man across the table. If Trump is a traitor, Xi Jinping Is the philosopher king. A recent New York Times closed-door profile of Xi Jinping described a ruler who has no close domestic rivals, is willing to lecture weaker leaders and conducts himself in the manner of China’s ancient rulers, blending political authority with civilized teachings. Tang Zi is interesting because he turns strategy into nonsense. Xi Jinping is disturbing because he turns other people’s nonsense into evidence of his own seriousness. Trump behaves in politics like a man who believes the room exists because he has entered it. Xi Jinping behaves in politics like a man who believes this room has been there for five thousand years and has been patiently waiting for others to learn the correct form of address.

the art of winning no coherence

Trump’s philosophy is often mistaken for no philosophy, but without enough confidence to practice it, no philosophy can become an institution. Every issue becomes a deal, every deal becomes a show, every show needs a winner, and the winner, ideally, before anyone checks the papers, is Donald Trump.

That’s why Trump’s foreign policy has always had the air of a casino, complete with hosts, bodyguards and people selling souvenir steaks near the exits. Alliance is an unpaid invoice. A trade deficit is an insult. The summit is a televised contest of manliness, and then someone has to show up and tell the cameras that this conversation was historic, beautiful, and very powerful. Form is more important than substance because form is substance.Trump’s incoherence has political utility because it exhausts explanation. Allies, foes, markets, bureaucrats, generals and journalists expended enormous energy trying to decipher whether his latest statement was policy, a provocation, a bargaining chip, a grievance, brain static or some previously undiscovered fifth state of matter. If you don’t know what you’re doing, your enemies won’t either. Without a clear goal, failure is impossible. If reality contradicts claims, reality is accused of liberal bias.

The use of Xi and order

Xi Jinping seemed to understand Trump early on, but did not express admiration. In Xi’s account of his last meeting with Barack Obama in Lima in 2016, Trump had just shocked the world by winning the US presidential election, and Xi seemed bewildered that American voters would choose someone so unconventional. Obama has sought to explain Trump’s rise as a result of setbacks in the U.S. economy, including anger over the loss of manufacturing jobs and the theft of intellectual property. Xi Jinping was reportedly dissatisfied with this. He put down his pen, crossed his arms, and delivered a sentence that sounded less like a diplomatic analysis and more like a verdict carved on a palace wall: If an immature leader plunges the world into chaos, the world will know who to blame.That moment was important because it showed how aligned Xi Jinping is about Trump, America and democracy. Trump proves that American institutions have lost their ability to filter out unserious content, that democracy can turn resentment into leadership, and that the liberal order has created a people who see institutions as pillars and norms as traps. For a leader who has spent years portraying China as stable, disciplined and historically consistent, Trump’s rise is a gift from the comparative political gods. Beijing does not need to invent arguments about Western chaos. The United States has exported live streaming.Xi Jinping’s political performance is based on the opposite proposition: Chaos is Western, order is Chinese, and history has finally found adult supervision. The Chinese Communist Party derives its legitimacy not just from revolution or economic growth, but also from its role as the guardian of China’s history. Xi Jinping reinforced this claim. He spoke as if China was not just a modern nation-state but a civilization that had experienced a brief few bad centuries and was now recovering its rightful place in the universe. During Obama’s 2014 visit to Beijing, aides were expected to discuss the South China Sea. Instead, Obama and Xi reportedly had a lengthy conversation about whether individualistic and collectivist Confucian societies could be compatible. This is politics as the study of civilization.

How do they treat middle powers?

The treatment of middle powers reveals the differences between Trump and Xi with unusual clarity. Trump treats middle powers like supporting actors in a drama of American discontent. Canada, Denmark, NATO allies and trading partners often serve not as diplomatic entities with their own limits and dignity, but as extras in the White House’s propaganda of American power. The Greenland incident remains the clearest example. Trump’s continued interest in acquiring or controlling the self-governing Danish territory has turned the ally’s sovereignty issue into a ritual of domination, with the island’s people and Denmark forced to continually explain that they are not non-performing assets on a golf course’s balance sheet. Trump’s approach is to apply pressure with a microphone. He didn’t just want to give in; He wants to see other countries forced to make concessions.

Xi Jinping’s approach to middle powers is different in style but not necessarily softer in substance. He doesn’t need a carnival. He prefers controlled rooms, tight smiles and polite reprimands. Exchange 2022 justin trudeau Still the most obvious example. Xi Jinping confronted the Canadian leader at the G20 summit in Indonesia after media reported details of their earlier conversation. Xi told Trudeau that was inappropriate and inconsistent with the conversation. Trudeau tried to explain that Canada believes in open dialogue and diplomacy that seeks common ground while reserving differences. Xi interrupted him, said to create conditions first, shook his hand and walked away.In that brief exchange, Xi Jinping’s power grammar was reflected. He wasn’t just against leaks. He was against violating the hierarchy. Speak in the right room. Use the right tone to raise objections. Do not embarrass the monarch in public. Mark Carney’s account of his meeting with Xi points in the same direction. According to Carney, Xi spent the first part of their interaction explaining how he hoped to develop a personal relationship. As Carney explained, the message was simple: no surprises, direct, ask questions privately, don’t lecture me in public.So the difference is obvious. Trump humiliates middle powers through public pressure; Xi Jinping restrains them by sanctifying protocol. Trump uses them to prove that America can still push. Xi Jinping uses them to show that China cannot be treated like another country.

Gratitude and fate

Their critique of democracy is equally illuminating. Trump’s criticism was emotional. Democracy is legitimate when it loves him, dubious when it rejects him, and sacred when it returns him to power. Xi Jinping’s criticism is historic. Joe Biden recalled that Xi Jinping told him that democracies could not survive in the 21st century because reaching consensus was too difficult, while authoritarian countries could go faster. For Trump, democracy is a test of loyalty. For Xi Jinping, this is a museum exhibit: noble perhaps, certainly interesting, but too slow for centuries to come.Their foreign policy flows naturally from these temperaments. Trump wants a deal. Xi Jinping wants architecture. Trump wants visible concessions: purchases, tariff relief, a promise to build factories, a handshake he can sell to voters. Xi hopes for a slower, deeper shift: one that accepts China’s red lines, respects its status, and recognizes that Taiwan is not just a flashpoint but a sacred issue of national integrity. Trump’s time frame is the news cycle, market reaction and rally applause. Xi Jinping’s time horizon is the Party Congress, the five-year plan and the historical arc. Trump wants the trophy. Xi Jinping wants maps.

new world chaos

It is easy to understand that Trump and Xi Jinping are opposites: Trump is chaos, Xi Jinping is order; Trump is chaos, Xi Jinping is order; Trump is chaos, Xi Jinping is order; Trump is chaos, Xi Jinping is order. Trump improvises, Xi Jinping plans; Trump shouts, Xi Jinping preaches; Trump is the casino, Xi Jinping is the court. The further you read the more disturbing it becomes. They are competing answers to the same crisis. Both emerged at a time when the old liberal order no longer commanded automatic belief. Both speak of grievance. Neither trusts constraints. Both personalize power. Both view rules as tools created by others for their own benefit.The difference lies in the approach. Trump wants to start every morning in order with his mood. Xi Jinping hopes that China will have order in every century. Trump distorts reality by overwhelming it. Xi Jinping distorts reality through historicization. Trump turned politics into spectacle and attention into authority. Xi Jinping has turned politics into destiny, and authority has become inevitable.The situation of Tang Zi and Zhe Wang Xi happens when the old world loses confidence in its own rules. One man said there are no rules, only victory. Another said there are rules, but China sets the rules before you are born. The rest of the world sits between them, waiting to find out whether the future will be shaped by those who see geopolitics as a casino, or those who see geopolitics as a dynasty with broadband.