The mafia life has been cool in public perception for decades. Movies like The Godfather have made the image immortal. The boss gets what he wants or he makes an offer noone can refuse. For those who don't know what this is, the 'offer' means certain death for the person not bending to the mafia's will.

Well this Italian mafia boss didn't have the liberty make an offer but he made a request, fought legal battle when it was denied, and had his way in the end.

Domenico Strisciuglio, 48, is serving 20-year prison sentence since 1999 for his crimes. He has been given liberty to watch TV in his prison cell. But the boss requested a CD player. The request was denied.

Strisciuglio decided to approach the courts against this refusal. On Thursday, judges in Sassari agreed that listening to music formed part of mafia boss's constitutionally guaranteed rights. The court held that buying a CD player amounted to Strisciuglio engaging in a cultural activity. The judges said that “denying this ordinary habit would result in a useless restriction of the rights of the detainees” as per La Repubblica.

Italy strengthened its jail laws after bloody fighting between mafia gangs in 1980s and 1990s. During this period, two anti-mafia magistrates were murdered by the mafia.&nbsp;

Strisciuglio's request was denied under these laws. But now, he has won the legal fight.

This is not his first legal victory. In 2019, judges allowed him to watch TV after midnight. There are no reports as of now on him gearing up for a legal battle to demand more gadgets.

The mafia life has been cool in public perception for decades. Movies like The Godfather have made the image immortal. The boss gets what he wants or he makes an offer noone can refuse.

The mafia life has been cool in public perception for decades. Movies like The Godfather have made the image immortal. The boss gets what he wants or he makes an offer noone can refuse. For those who don't know what this is, the 'offer' means certain death for the person not bending to the mafia's will. Well this Italian mafia boss didn't have the liberty make an offer but he made a request, fought legal battle when it was denied, and had his way in the end. Domenico Strisciuglio, 48, is serving 20-year prison sentence since 1999 for his crimes. He has been given liberty to watch TV in his prison cell. But the boss requested a CD player. The request was denied. Strisciuglio decided to approach the courts against this refusal. On Thursday, judges in Sassari agreed that listening to music formed part of mafia boss's constitutionally guaranteed rights. The court held that buying a CD player amounted to Strisciuglio engaging in a cultural activity. The judges said that “denying this ordinary habit would result in a useless restriction of the rights of the detainees” as per La Repubblica. Italy strengthened its jail laws after bloody fighting between mafia gangs in 1980s and 1990s. During this period, two anti-mafia magistrates were murdered by the mafia. Strisciuglio's request was denied under these laws. But now, he has won the legal fight. This is not his first legal victory. In 2019, judges allowed him to watch TV after midnight. There are no reports as of now on him gearing up for a legal battle to demand more gadgets.

Request they couldn't refuse: Mafia boss wins legal fight to play music in jail

NASA's Mars rover Perseverence succssfully touched down on the red planet in early hours of Friday (Indian time). It will now carry out observations for life on Mars that may have existed billions of years ago. Meanwhile, various Spanish cities have seen massive violence over jailing of a rapper. Read this and more in our Morning News Brief

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/touchdown-confirmed-nasas-perseverance-rover-lands-on-mars-364653">'Touchdown confirmed': NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/touchdown-confirmed-nasas-perseverance-rover-lands-on-mars-364653"><img alt="NASA Mars touchdown" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2a1e827-55b4-4710-b2ad-4dad12580722" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Mars_1.JPG" /></a> 
 
US President Biden congratulated NASA and said that the event has proved once again that with the power of science and American ingenuity, nothing is beyond the realm of possibility.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-administration-offers-talks-with-iran-over-nuclear-deal-364657">Biden administration offers talks with Iran over nuclear deal</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-administration-offers-talks-with-iran-over-nuclear-deal-364657"><img alt="Biden nuclear deal" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cfe032af-1d6f-4a19-a383-a2a6156f8008" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Iran%20nuclear%20deal.JPG" /></a> 
 
Iran's Rouhani government has demanded an end to the sanctions before joining the US at the negotiating table.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-hundreds-protest-for-third-night-after-rappers-jailing-364655">Spain: Hundreds protest for third night after rapper's jailing</a>

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Known for his hard-left views, the rapper was arrested after failing to turn himself in on Friday to start a nine-month sentence over tweets calling former king Juan Carlos I a mafia boss

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republican-senator-ted-cruz-faces-criticism-over-trip-as-texas-battles-winter-storm-364666">Republican Senator Ted Cruz faces criticism over trip as Texas battles winter storm</a>

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The lack of power has cut off water supplies for millions, further strained hospitals' ability to treat patients amid a pandemic in Texas

41 students still missing in Nigeria’s latest school kidnapping

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NASA's Mars rover Perseverence succssfully touched down on the red planet in early hours of Friday (Indian time). It will now carry out observations for life on Mars that may have existed billions of years ago.

NASA's Mars rover Perseverence succssfully touched down on the red planet in early hours of Friday (Indian time). It will now carry out observations for life on Mars that may have existed billions of years ago. Meanwhile, various Spanish cities have seen massive violence over jailing of a rapper. Read this and more in our Morning News Brief 'Touchdown confirmed': NASA's Perseverance rover lands on Mars US President Biden congratulated NASA and said that the event has proved once again that with the power of science and American ingenuity, nothing is beyond the realm of possibility. Biden administration offers talks with Iran over nuclear deal Iran's Rouhani government has demanded an end to the sanctions before joining the US at the negotiating table. Spain: Hundreds protest for third night after rapper's jailing Known for his hard-left views, the rapper was arrested after failing to turn himself in on Friday to start a nine-month sentence over tweets calling former king Juan Carlos I a mafia boss Republican Senator Ted Cruz faces criticism over trip as Texas battles winter storm The lack of power has cut off water supplies for millions, further strained hospitals' ability to treat patients amid a pandemic in Texas 41 students still missing in Nigeria’s latest school kidnapping ×

Morning news brief: NASA rover reaches Mars, Spain violence, and more

Protesters clashed with police for a third night over the jailing of a rapper for his controversial tweets. Angry demonstrations erupted after police detained Pablo Hasel (32) on Tuesday. Hasel was holed up in a university in Catalonia to avoid jail in a highly contentious free speech case. Dozens of people have been arrested since Tuesday night.

The violence has thrust the hard-left Podemos party -- the junior partner in Spain's leftwing coalition which has opposed Hasel's jailing and publicly supported the protesters -- into the firing line.&nbsp;

Police reported six arrests in Barcelona on Thursday after protesters set up barricades, prompting police to fire tear gas.

Burning rubbish bins and furniture was seen in the centre of the Catalan capital.

<img alt="Spain protests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6df8d1f3-67a3-4227-99ac-cc6208d4afa2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_93B9LD.jpg" />

Newsroom of the newspaper El Periodico de Cataluna was attacked. Images of clashes in Valencia were shown on TVE television.

Hundreds of people gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square calling for Hasel's release. The people hurled bottles at police who charged at them. The clashes lasted several hours as per AFP.

Police arrested 19 people, while the city's emergency services said 55 people were injured, among them 35 police officers.&nbsp;

In Barcelona and three other Catalan cities, demonstrators lobbed objects at police and set barricades ablaze on Wednesday, with police charging the protesters and in some places firing foam rounds. Some 50 people were arrested across the country. &nbsp;

<img alt="Spain protests" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d145efc-1aae-4780-8566-bae0ae20c6d9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_93C27C.jpg" />

The director of Catalonia's regional police force, Pere Ferrer, said officers faced a "highly complex scenario" because of the "high volume of public disorder" which included looting.

The force has opened an investigation after a young woman lost an eye on Tuesday night in Barcelona as a result of a foam projectile used by police to dispel the protesters, he added.

'Absolute red line'

Hasel, known for his hard-left views, was arrested after failing to turn himself in on Friday to start a nine-month sentence over tweets calling former king Juan Carlos I a mafia boss and accusing police of torturing and killing demonstrators and migrants.

A court in his hometown of Lerida on February 12 sentenced the rapper to another jail term of two and a half years for threatening to kill a man at a bar, according to a ruling published Thursday.

Hundreds of artists have rallied to Hasel's cause, including filmmaker Pedro Almodovar and Hollywood actor Javier Bardem. Amnesty International said jailing him for song lyrics and tweets was "unjust and disproportionate" while campaigners say prosecuting him is a dangerous assault on free speech.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

Protesters clashed with police for a third night over the jailing of a rapper for his controversial tweets. Angry demonstrations erupted after police detained Pablo Hasel (32) on Tuesday.

Protesters clashed with police for a third night over the jailing of a rapper for his controversial tweets. Angry demonstrations erupted after police detained Pablo Hasel (32) on Tuesday. Hasel was holed up in a university in Catalonia to avoid jail in a highly contentious free speech case. Dozens of people have been arrested since Tuesday night. The violence has thrust the hard-left Podemos party -- the junior partner in Spain's leftwing coalition which has opposed Hasel's jailing and publicly supported the protesters -- into the firing line. Police reported six arrests in Barcelona on Thursday after protesters set up barricades, prompting police to fire tear gas. Burning rubbish bins and furniture was seen in the centre of the Catalan capital. Newsroom of the newspaper El Periodico de Cataluna was attacked. Images of clashes in Valencia were shown on TVE television. Hundreds of people gathered in Madrid's Puerta del Sol square calling for Hasel's release. The people hurled bottles at police who charged at them. The clashes lasted several hours as per AFP. Police arrested 19 people, while the city's emergency services said 55 people were injured, among them 35 police officers. In Barcelona and three other Catalan cities, demonstrators lobbed objects at police and set barricades ablaze on Wednesday, with police charging the protesters and in some places firing foam rounds. Some 50 people were arrested across the country. The director of Catalonia's regional police force, Pere Ferrer, said officers faced a "highly complex scenario" because of the "high volume of public disorder" which included looting. The force has opened an investigation after a young woman lost an eye on Tuesday night in Barcelona as a result of a foam projectile used by police to dispel the protesters, he added. 'Absolute red line' Hasel, known for his hard-left views, was arrested after failing to turn himself in on Friday to start a nine-month sentence over tweets calling former king Juan Carlos I a mafia boss and accusing police of torturing and killing demonstrators and migrants. A court in his hometown of Lerida on February 12 sentenced the rapper to another jail term of two and a half years for threatening to kill a man at a bar, according to a ruling published Thursday. Hundreds of artists have rallied to Hasel's cause, including filmmaker Pedro Almodovar and Hollywood actor Javier Bardem. Amnesty International said jailing him for song lyrics and tweets was "unjust and disproportionate" while campaigners say prosecuting him is a dangerous assault on free speech. (With AFP inputs)

Spain: Hundreds protest for third night after rapper's jailing

The White House and congressional Democrats are divided over a politically charged lawsuit that raises novel constitutional issues: the House’s long-running attempt to compel President Donald Trump’s former White House counsel, Donald McGahn, to testify about Trump’s efforts to obstruct the Russia inquiry.

When Democrats controlled only the House, it was simpler for their leaders to unite behind subpoenaing McGahn. But the officials who now run the executive branch, especially President Joe Biden’s White House lawyers, are hesitant about establishing a precedent that Republicans might someday use to force them to testify about their own internal matters.

A glimpse of the institutional disconnect became public late Wednesday, when the Justice Department — which under Trump had been representing McGahn in fighting the lawsuit — asked an appeals court to delay arguments in the case scheduled for Tuesday, citing the recent change in administrations.

“The new administration wishes to explore whether an accommodation might be available with respect to the committee’s request,” the filing said. “Discussions among the relevant parties have begun, and the new administration believes the parties would benefit from additional time to pursue these discussions.”

But Douglas N. Letter, a lawyer for House Democrats — and, effectively, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — opposed that motion, urging the full Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to press forward without delay.

“We appreciate the Biden administration’s efforts to settle this case, and we have actively participated in those efforts,” Letter wrote. “But we do not believe that postponing the argument will improve the prospect of a settlement or serve the interests of judicial efficiency or fairness to the parties.”

Late on Thursday, however, the appeals court granted the Justice Department’s request, moving back the scheduled day for arguments to April 27, and ordering the delivery of a “status report advising the court of the progress of the parties’ discussion” by March 25.

House Democrats were frustrated that the Trump administration’s uncompromising approach and litigation strategy succeeded in running out the clock, preventing any testimony by McGahn before the 2020 election. In his motion, Letter raised doubts that any compromise involving Trump would be possible, warning that delay could further thwart Congress’ constitutional oversight powers.

The case centers on McGahn’s role as an important witness in the report by special counsel Robert Mueller about efforts by Trump to obstruct the investigation. After the Justice Department made most of the report public, the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed McGahn to testify at an oversight hearing. When he refused to appear, on Trump’s instructions, the committee sued.

The Justice Department under Trump had argued that McGahn was “absolutely immune” from any compelled appearance before Congress to testify about his work duties. But in August, the full District of Columbia Circuit rejected that theory.

Justice Department lawyers under the Trump administration continued to fight the subpoena on other legal grounds, however, arguing that Congress had no “cause of action” that authorized it to sue the executive branch. (The executive branch has taken that position under administrations of both parties, and the Justice Department said it was “prepared to proceed” with the argument as scheduled if the court denied its request for a delay.)

The dispute is further complicated by the fact that there are so many participants — House Democrats, McGahn, the Biden administration and potentially Trump. The former president has not been a party to the lawsuit, but he might try to intervene and assert executive privilege — yet another issue that has not yet been adjudicated in the matter — if the executive branch under Biden drops out of the case.

Patrick F. Philbin, a former deputy White House counsel who is one of the people Trump designated to deal with residual issues related to presidential records, declined to comment.

William A. Burck, a lawyer for McGahn, has previously said that his client intended to defer to the president’s instructions, pending a final judicial order. A person familiar with the deliberations said Burck had not taken a position on what McGahn would do if Biden were to instruct him to talk to Congress, but Trump still told him not to.

Stuart F. Delery, a deputy White House counsel, said in an interview that the negotiations are still preliminary but that the Biden administration would like more time to try to resolve the dispute while preserving the “institutional interests connected to the presidency.”

There are few legal precedents. A rare and limited guidepost is a 1977 case, Nixon v. General Services Administration. In it, the Supreme Court ruled that Richard M. Nixon could assert executive privilege claims over official records from his White House even though he was no longer the president — but it also weighed that assertion against the contrary view of the sitting president at the time, Jimmy Carter.

That dispute, however, centered on control of Nixon-era White House documents, not a subpoena for a former lawyer’s testimony. Another question is how attorney-client privilege works for a former White House lawyer when the presidency changes hands — and what would happen if Trump were to file a bar ethics complaint going after McGahn’s law license if he cooperates with the House at Biden’s request but over Trump’s objections.

Many such questions have no definitive answers because until recently, it was exceedingly rare for such disputes to be fought without compromise, leading to judicial rulings. But the McGahn subpoena lawsuit is one of an unprecedented number of lawsuits pitting the two branches against each other in court that arose after Democrats took over the House following the 2018 midterm election and Trump vowed to stonewall “all” subpoenas.

The lawsuit over the McGahn subpoena echoes a similar dispute that President Barack Obama inherited when he took over from President George W. Bush in 2009. House Democrats investigating Bush’s firings of U.S. attorneys had issued a subpoena for testimony by Harriet Miers, Bush’s White House counsel at the time, leading to a lawsuit.

Explaining that Obama did not want to weaken the presidency as an institution, Obama’s then White House counsel, Gregory B. Craig, worked out a compromise with a representative of Bush, Emmet Flood, and the Judiciary Committee under which Democrats were able to confidentially interview Miers about the topic, with limits.

The settlement mooted the case, so the District of Columbia Circuit never issued a binding ruling, leaving the legal question unresolved. The result left the White House with more wiggle room in future disputes — including letting the Trump White House raise anew the idea that McGahn was absolutely immune after the House subpoenaed him.

But there are some important differences between 2009 and 2021. Helping ease the way to cooperation, Bush — unlike Trump — had overseen a smooth transition to his successor, and Craig and Flood were former law partners on friendly terms. It is far from clear that Trump will be as open to the idea of compromising.

Letter invoked Trump’s history of stonewalling in warning that it made no sense to delay the full District of Columbia Circuit’s consideration of the case since settlements discussions could fail.

Such a delay “could prevent the committee from securing McGahn’s testimony for much of the 117th Congress, just as it was prevented from securing that testimony for almost the entire duration of the 116th Congress,” he wrote.

The White House and congressional Democrats are divided over a politically charged lawsuit that raises novel constitutional issues: the House’s long-running attempt to compel President Donald Trump’s former White House counsel, Donald McGahn, to testify about Trump’s efforts to obstruct the Russia inquiry.

The White House and congressional Democrats are divided over a politically charged lawsuit that raises novel constitutional issues: the House’s long-running attempt to compel President Donald Trump’s former White House counsel, Donald McGahn, to testify about Trump’s efforts to obstruct the Russia inquiry. When Democrats controlled only the House, it was simpler for their leaders to unite behind subpoenaing McGahn. But the officials who now run the executive branch, especially President Joe Biden’s White House lawyers, are hesitant about establishing a precedent that Republicans might someday use to force them to testify about their own internal matters. A glimpse of the institutional disconnect became public late Wednesday, when the Justice Department — which under Trump had been representing McGahn in fighting the lawsuit — asked an appeals court to delay arguments in the case scheduled for Tuesday, citing the recent change in administrations. “The new administration wishes to explore whether an accommodation might be available with respect to the committee’s request,” the filing said. “Discussions among the relevant parties have begun, and the new administration believes the parties would benefit from additional time to pursue these discussions.” But Douglas N. Letter, a lawyer for House Democrats — and, effectively, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — opposed that motion, urging the full Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to press forward without delay. “We appreciate the Biden administration’s efforts to settle this case, and we have actively participated in those efforts,” Letter wrote. “But we do not believe that postponing the argument will improve the prospect of a settlement or serve the interests of judicial efficiency or fairness to the parties.” Late on Thursday, however, the appeals court granted the Justice Department’s request, moving back the scheduled day for arguments to April 27, and ordering the delivery of a “status report advising the court of the progress of the parties’ discussion” by March 25. House Democrats were frustrated that the Trump administration’s uncompromising approach and litigation strategy succeeded in running out the clock, preventing any testimony by McGahn before the 2020 election. In his motion, Letter raised doubts that any compromise involving Trump would be possible, warning that delay could further thwart Congress’ constitutional oversight powers. The case centers on McGahn’s role as an important witness in the report by special counsel Robert Mueller about efforts by Trump to obstruct the investigation. After the Justice Department made most of the report public, the House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed McGahn to testify at an oversight hearing. When he refused to appear, on Trump’s instructions, the committee sued. The Justice Department under Trump had argued that McGahn was “absolutely immune” from any compelled appearance before Congress to testify about his work duties. But in August, the full District of Columbia Circuit rejected that theory. Justice Department lawyers under the Trump administration continued to fight the subpoena on other legal grounds, however, arguing that Congress had no “cause of action” that authorized it to sue the executive branch. (The executive branch has taken that position under administrations of both parties, and the Justice Department said it was “prepared to proceed” with the argument as scheduled if the court denied its request for a delay.) The dispute is further complicated by the fact that there are so many participants — House Democrats, McGahn, the Biden administration and potentially Trump. The former president has not been a party to the lawsuit, but he might try to intervene and assert executive privilege — yet another issue that has not yet been adjudicated in the matter — if the executive branch under Biden drops out of the case. Patrick F. Philbin, a former deputy White House counsel who is one of the people Trump designated to deal with residual issues related to presidential records, declined to comment. William A. Burck, a lawyer for McGahn, has previously said that his client intended to defer to the president’s instructions, pending a final judicial order. A person familiar with the deliberations said Burck had not taken a position on what McGahn would do if Biden were to instruct him to talk to Congress, but Trump still told him not to. Stuart F. Delery, a deputy White House counsel, said in an interview that the negotiations are still preliminary but that the Biden administration would like more time to try to resolve the dispute while preserving the “institutional interests connected to the presidency.” There are few legal precedents. A rare and limited guidepost is a 1977 case, Nixon v. General Services Administration. In it, the Supreme Court ruled that Richard M. Nixon could assert executive privilege claims over official records from his White House even though he was no longer the president — but it also weighed that assertion against the contrary view of the sitting president at the time, Jimmy Carter. That dispute, however, centered on control of Nixon-era White House documents, not a subpoena for a former lawyer’s testimony. Another question is how attorney-client privilege works for a former White House lawyer when the presidency changes hands — and what would happen if Trump were to file a bar ethics complaint going after McGahn’s law license if he cooperates with the House at Biden’s request but over Trump’s objections. Many such questions have no definitive answers because until recently, it was exceedingly rare for such disputes to be fought without compromise, leading to judicial rulings. But the McGahn subpoena lawsuit is one of an unprecedented number of lawsuits pitting the two branches against each other in court that arose after Democrats took over the House following the 2018 midterm election and Trump vowed to stonewall “all” subpoenas. The lawsuit over the McGahn subpoena echoes a similar dispute that President Barack Obama inherited when he took over from President George W. Bush in 2009. House Democrats investigating Bush’s firings of U.S. attorneys had issued a subpoena for testimony by Harriet Miers, Bush’s White House counsel at the time, leading to a lawsuit. Explaining that Obama did not want to weaken the presidency as an institution, Obama’s then White House counsel, Gregory B. Craig, worked out a compromise with a representative of Bush, Emmet Flood, and the Judiciary Committee under which Democrats were able to confidentially interview Miers about the topic, with limits. The settlement mooted the case, so the District of Columbia Circuit never issued a binding ruling, leaving the legal question unresolved. The result left the White House with more wiggle room in future disputes — including letting the Trump White House raise anew the idea that McGahn was absolutely immune after the House subpoenaed him. But there are some important differences between 2009 and 2021. Helping ease the way to cooperation, Bush — unlike Trump — had overseen a smooth transition to his successor, and Craig and Flood were former law partners on friendly terms. It is far from clear that Trump will be as open to the idea of compromising. Letter invoked Trump’s history of stonewalling in warning that it made no sense to delay the full District of Columbia Circuit’s consideration of the case since settlements discussions could fail. Such a delay “could prevent the committee from securing McGahn’s testimony for much of the 117th Congress, just as it was prevented from securing that testimony for almost the entire duration of the 116th Congress,” he wrote.

House Democrats and White House split over lawsuit for ex-Trump aide’s testimony

Today in history: Edison patents phonograph, Castro steps down, more

Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes located in Indonesia, erupted on Friday. The volcano is close to Indonesia's cultural capital Yogyakarta on Java island. The volcano spewed lava almost two dozen times over last two days and caused hundreds of volcanic quakes, as per Indonesia's geological agency.

"This morning, lava avalanches were observed seven times," the agency said, with the lava travelling up to 700 metres to the southwest.

However, an official warning over the status of the volcano was unchanged at its second highest level, where it has remained since November last year.

Residents were told to avoid the area within five-kilometre radius of the crater. Warning about lava as well as airborne volcanic material was was issued.

Last month, Mount Merapi spewed huge clouds of smoke and ash.

Mount Merapi's last major eruption in 2010 killed more than 300 people and forced the evacuation of around 280,000 residents from surrounding areas.&nbsp;

That was its most powerful eruption since 1930, when around 1,300 people were killed, while another explosion in 1994 took about 60 lives.&nbsp;

The Southeast Asian archipelago nation has nearly 130 active volcanoes.

(With AFP inputs)

Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes located in Indonesia, erupted on Friday. The volcano is close to Indonesia's cultural capital Yogyakarta on Java island.

Mount Merapi, one of the world's most active volcanoes located in Indonesia, erupted on Friday. The volcano is close to Indonesia's cultural capital Yogyakarta on Java island. The volcano spewed lava almost two dozen times over last two days and caused hundreds of volcanic quakes, as per Indonesia's geological agency. "This morning, lava avalanches were observed seven times," the agency said, with the lava travelling up to 700 metres to the southwest. However, an official warning over the status of the volcano was unchanged at its second highest level, where it has remained since November last year. Residents were told to avoid the area within five-kilometre radius of the crater. Warning about lava as well as airborne volcanic material was was issued. Last month, Mount Merapi spewed huge clouds of smoke and ash. Mount Merapi's last major eruption in 2010 killed more than 300 people and forced the evacuation of around 280,000 residents from surrounding areas. That was its most powerful eruption since 1930, when around 1,300 people were killed, while another explosion in 1994 took about 60 lives. The Southeast Asian archipelago nation has nearly 130 active volcanoes. (With AFP inputs)

Indonesia: Mount Merapi erupts, spews red-hot lava

A leading Malaysian new site was fined USD 120,000 on Friday over readers' comments criticising judiciary. This has sparked concerns about worsening press freedom in the country. There are fears that independent media outlets are under attack in Malaysia ever since a coalition seized power without election last year.

Malaysiakini, a popular portal that has made a name for itself by reporting on the misdeeds of the ruling elite, and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan, were accused of contempt of court in a case brought by the attorney general.

The case relates to five readers' comments on an article that criticised the judiciary. The authorities claim that this eroded public confidence in the courts.

A panel of judges at the country's top court ruled that Malaysiakini was guilty of contempt and ordered the site to pay a 500,000 ringgit ($120,000) fine by Wednesday. Prosecutors had sought a fine of 200,000 ringgit.

Gan -- who could have faced a jail term if convicted -- was cleared, but he criticised the decision as "uncalled for".

"The hefty fine against us is really an attempt not to just shut us up -- but to shut us down," he told reporters at the Federal Court in the administrative capital Putrajaya.

After this ruling, the news portal changed to black and white as sign of protest and launched a fundraising drive.

The site appeared on track to easily get enough -- by Friday afternoon, it had raised over 450,000 ringgit.

It has faced continual attacks since it was founded in 1999, ranging from police raids to criminal prosecutions, and has so far managed to survive every challenge.&nbsp;

'Blatant violation'&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director, Phil Robertson, said the ruling was "a blatant violation of freedom of expression and media freedom, and should be quashed".

The US embassy in Kuala Lumpur said it was worried about the decision and "the impact it will have on press freedom in Malaysia" while British and Canadian envoys also expressed concern.&nbsp;

Judge Rohana Yusuf, delivering the verdict, said freedom of expression must remain "within the bounds permissible by law".

She said the comments on the site were "reprehensible" and involved "allegations of corruption which were unproven and untrue".

It was a split decision, with one of the seven judges dissenting.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

A leading Malaysian new site was fined USD 120,000 on Friday over readers' comments criticising judiciary. This has sparked concerns about worsening press freedom in the country.

A leading Malaysian new site was fined USD 120,000 on Friday over readers' comments criticising judiciary. This has sparked concerns about worsening press freedom in the country. There are fears that independent media outlets are under attack in Malaysia ever since a coalition seized power without election last year. Malaysiakini, a popular portal that has made a name for itself by reporting on the misdeeds of the ruling elite, and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan, were accused of contempt of court in a case brought by the attorney general. The case relates to five readers' comments on an article that criticised the judiciary. The authorities claim that this eroded public confidence in the courts. A panel of judges at the country's top court ruled that Malaysiakini was guilty of contempt and ordered the site to pay a 500,000 ringgit ($120,000) fine by Wednesday. Prosecutors had sought a fine of 200,000 ringgit. Gan -- who could have faced a jail term if convicted -- was cleared, but he criticised the decision as "uncalled for". "The hefty fine against us is really an attempt not to just shut us up -- but to shut us down," he told reporters at the Federal Court in the administrative capital Putrajaya. After this ruling, the news portal changed to black and white as sign of protest and launched a fundraising drive. The site appeared on track to easily get enough -- by Friday afternoon, it had raised over 450,000 ringgit. It has faced continual attacks since it was founded in 1999, ranging from police raids to criminal prosecutions, and has so far managed to survive every challenge. 'Blatant violation' Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director, Phil Robertson, said the ruling was "a blatant violation of freedom of expression and media freedom, and should be quashed". The US embassy in Kuala Lumpur said it was worried about the decision and "the impact it will have on press freedom in Malaysia" while British and Canadian envoys also expressed concern. Judge Rohana Yusuf, delivering the verdict, said freedom of expression must remain "within the bounds permissible by law". She said the comments on the site were "reprehensible" and involved "allegations of corruption which were unproven and untrue". It was a split decision, with one of the seven judges dissenting. (With AFP inputs)

Malaysian news site slapped heavy fine sparking press freedom concerns

Places of worship have emotions attached with them. These are the places where thousands spend prayerful time and attain peace. It is therefore understandable that public reaction is often strong when the authorities decide to make modifications to a particular monument. A similar situation has occured in case of the cathedral in Burgos in Spain. The cathedral is steeped in history. It was built 800 years ago.

The Archidiocessis of Burgos has decided to install bronze doors in place of current wooden ones. The wooden doors are showing effects time has had on them. This simple installation of bronze doors has led to a huge uproar. The door cost 1.2 million euros and have been designed by award-winning artist Antonio Lopez.

More than 31,000 people have signed petition against these doors. Some of them have alsp been quoted as regarding the doors an "eyesore". The bronze doors have been designed in contemporary art style.

Cathedral authorities are defending the bronze doors by apparently hinting at artistic value addition the doors with cause. As per the authorities, the cathedral has had structural additions over centuries that were done in different artistic styles reflective of what was considered aestetic in respective times.

The petition signed by thousands questions the spend of millions of euros for bronze door.

“Given the queues of hungry people we’re seeing, and the fact that the cathedral doesn’t even have central heating – which is no laughing matter in Burgos – why is the archbishopric spending €1.2m on this?” says the petition as per The Guardian. Even United Nations (UN) has advised against these doors.

Final decision on the doors will be taken by culture department of the government of Castilla y León, the Spanish region where Burgos is located.

Places of worship have emotions attached with them. These are the places where thousands spend prayerful time and attain peace. It is therefore understandable that public reaction is often strong when the authorities decide to make modifications to a particular monument.

Places of worship have emotions attached with them. These are the places where thousands spend prayerful time and attain peace. It is therefore understandable that public reaction is often strong when the authorities decide to make modifications to a particular monument. A similar situation has occured in case of the cathedral in Burgos in Spain. The cathedral is steeped in history. It was built 800 years ago. The Archidiocessis of Burgos has decided to install bronze doors in place of current wooden ones. The wooden doors are showing effects time has had on them. This simple installation of bronze doors has led to a huge uproar. The door cost 1.2 million euros and have been designed by award-winning artist Antonio Lopez. More than 31,000 people have signed petition against these doors. Some of them have alsp been quoted as regarding the doors an "eyesore". The bronze doors have been designed in contemporary art style. Cathedral authorities are defending the bronze doors by apparently hinting at artistic value addition the doors with cause. As per the authorities, the cathedral has had structural additions over centuries that were done in different artistic styles reflective of what was considered aestetic in respective times. The petition signed by thousands questions the spend of millions of euros for bronze door. “Given the queues of hungry people we’re seeing, and the fact that the cathedral doesn’t even have central heating – which is no laughing matter in Burgos – why is the archbishopric spending €1.2m on this?” says the petition as per The Guardian. Even United Nations (UN) has advised against these doors. Final decision on the doors will be taken by culture department of the government of Castilla y León, the Spanish region where Burgos is located.

These cathedral doors cost a million but people think they are an 'eyesore'

In Pics: Mount Etna erupts in spectacular manner

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War. This was his first speech since taking office. Mario Draghi, the former chief of European Central Bank said that the pandemic was his top priority in a long list of issues requiring urgent attention.

"The government will carry out reforms but will also tackle the emergency," he told the Senate, the upper house of parliament, where he has almost unanimous support for his new government of national unity.

The 73-year-old, parachuted in after the previous centre-left government collapsed, has been dubbed "Super Mario" since promising to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro during the 2012 debt crisis.

On Wednesday he promised to fight "with all means" the pandemic that has left more than 94,000 Italians dead and sparked a deep recession, with the economy contracting almost nine percent last year.

"Today we have, as did the governments of the immediate post-war period, the possibility -- or rather the responsibility -- to start a new reconstruction," Draghi said in his almost hour-long address.

Draghi's new government invlves wide range of parties from Silvio Berlusconi's &nbsp;Forza Italia along with leftist the populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and Matteo Salvini's eurosceptic, far-right League

Draghi was sworn in on Saturday as Italy's 30th prime minister. This ended month-long political crisis sparkes by implosion of former PM Giuseppe Conte's coalition.

On Wednesday, Draghi said it was a time of "intense emotion" personally to take over with Italy in such a "dramatic situation".

There is an increased concern about the new coronavirus variant in Italy. This has sparked a series of mini-lockdowns in towns across Italy, Draghi emphasised the importance of speeding up vaccinations.

Long-awaited overhaul

Another immediate challenge is drawing up a plan to spend what Draghi has previously called the "extraordinary resources" offered by the EU. 
Italy expects to receive more than 200 billion euros ($240 billion) from the EU's post-coronavirus recovery fund, but in return, it is expected to commit to potentially difficult or unpopular reforms.

"These resources will have to be spent with an aim to improve the growth potential of our economy," Draghi said.

He promised reform to Italy's stifling bureaucracy, labyrinthine tax code and snail-paced justice system, as well as a focus on education, closing the gap on female employment and fighting climate change.

In a second speech on Wednesday evening, he also pleaded for a revival of a failed policy: forcing EU countries to each take a share of the migrants arriving from across the Mediterranean, after years of Italy shouldering much of the burden.

"As a concrete measure of solidarity, Italy -- supported equally by certain Mediterranean countries -- proposes a mechanism of obligatory redistribution of migrants," he said.

Draghi has assembled a cabinet comprising a mix of politicians and technocrats, with key portfolios linked to the EU reform agenda given to technocrats.

Late Wednesday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence -- 262 in favour, 40 against and two absentations -- in &nbsp;Draghi's government. There will be another vote in the lower Chamber of Deputies on Thursday.

(With AFP inputs)

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Wednesday that he will use "all means" to fight coronavirus pandmic and that it presented Italy with an opportunity to rebuild as it did after Second World War. This was his first speech since taking office. Mario Draghi, the former chief of European Central Bank said that the pandemic was his top priority in a long list of issues requiring urgent attention. "The government will carry out reforms but will also tackle the emergency," he told the Senate, the upper house of parliament, where he has almost unanimous support for his new government of national unity. The 73-year-old, parachuted in after the previous centre-left government collapsed, has been dubbed "Super Mario" since promising to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro during the 2012 debt crisis. On Wednesday he promised to fight "with all means" the pandemic that has left more than 94,000 Italians dead and sparked a deep recession, with the economy contracting almost nine percent last year. "Today we have, as did the governments of the immediate post-war period, the possibility -- or rather the responsibility -- to start a new reconstruction," Draghi said in his almost hour-long address. Draghi's new government invlves wide range of parties from Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia along with leftist the populist Five Star Movement (M5S) and Matteo Salvini's eurosceptic, far-right League Draghi was sworn in on Saturday as Italy's 30th prime minister. This ended month-long political crisis sparkes by implosion of former PM Giuseppe Conte's coalition. On Wednesday, Draghi said it was a time of "intense emotion" personally to take over with Italy in such a "dramatic situation". There is an increased concern about the new coronavirus variant in Italy. This has sparked a series of mini-lockdowns in towns across Italy, Draghi emphasised the importance of speeding up vaccinations. Long-awaited overhaul Another immediate challenge is drawing up a plan to spend what Draghi has previously called the "extraordinary resources" offered by the EU. Italy expects to receive more than 200 billion euros ($240 billion) from the EU's post-coronavirus recovery fund, but in return, it is expected to commit to potentially difficult or unpopular reforms. "These resources will have to be spent with an aim to improve the growth potential of our economy," Draghi said. He promised reform to Italy's stifling bureaucracy, labyrinthine tax code and snail-paced justice system, as well as a focus on education, closing the gap on female employment and fighting climate change. In a second speech on Wednesday evening, he also pleaded for a revival of a failed policy: forcing EU countries to each take a share of the migrants arriving from across the Mediterranean, after years of Italy shouldering much of the burden. "As a concrete measure of solidarity, Italy -- supported equally by certain Mediterranean countries -- proposes a mechanism of obligatory redistribution of migrants," he said. Draghi has assembled a cabinet comprising a mix of politicians and technocrats, with key portfolios linked to the EU reform agenda given to technocrats. Late Wednesday, the Senate passed a vote of confidence -- 262 in favour, 40 against and two absentations -- in Draghi's government. There will be another vote in the lower Chamber of Deputies on Thursday. (With AFP inputs)

Italy PM Mario Draghi sets out plan to rebuild virus-hit country

Gold prices on Thursday clawed back from the previous session's 2-1/2 month low, as a retreat in U.S. Treasury yields lifted the non-yielding bullion's appeal.

Spot gold rose 0.3% to $1,781.50 per ounce by 0807 GMT, having dropped to its lowest since Nov. 30 at $1,768.60 on Wednesday. U.S. gold futures advanced 0.4% to $1,780.40.

"The U.S. long-dated yields backing off highs is offering some support. It also appears dip buyers from China have returned from Lunar New Year holidays," said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley.

"In the bigger picture ... gold is merely pausing for breath, $1,760 remains a critical level, a break below that suggests deeper losses to the $1,600/$1,650 region."

Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields retreated from a near one-year peak hit on Wednesday. Lower yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding bullion, which pays no interest.

Federal Reserve officials were still prepared to keep monetary policy easy to help the coronavirus-hit economy, minutes of the Fed's January meeting showed.

Investor focus remained on the developments of a $1.9 trillion U.S. coronavirus stimulus.

U.S. retail sales rebounded in January, while U.S. producer prices increased by the most since 2009, suggesting inflation was starting to rise.

"Other asset classes as well as those within commodities are providing a more compelling investment payoff than gold presently," cautioned Michael Langford, director at corporate advisory AirGuide.

"We're seeing a re-allocation under renewed optimism, factory orders and general views of stronger underlying growth," Langford said, adding gold's typical attribute as an inflationary hedge was not enough to counter the strong demand for other assets.

Analysts also said the recent technical move of gold's 50-day moving average price dipping below the 200-day moving average, known as a death cross, could lead to more selling.

Silver eased 0.7% to $27.17 an ounce. Platinum gained 0.3% to $1,256.86 and palladium rose 0.1% to $2,372.59.

Gold prices on Thursday clawed back from the previous session's 2-1/2 month low, as a retreat in U.S. Treasury yields lifted the non-yielding bullion's appeal. Spot gold rose 0.

Gold prices on Thursday clawed back from the previous session's 2-1/2 month low, as a retreat in U.S. Treasury yields lifted the non-yielding bullion's appeal. Spot gold rose 0.3% to $1,781.50 per ounce by 0807 GMT, having dropped to its lowest since Nov. 30 at $1,768.60 on Wednesday. U.S. gold futures advanced 0.4% to $1,780.40. "The U.S. long-dated yields backing off highs is offering some support. It also appears dip buyers from China have returned from Lunar New Year holidays," said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley. "In the bigger picture ... gold is merely pausing for breath, $1,760 remains a critical level, a break below that suggests deeper losses to the $1,600/$1,650 region." Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields retreated from a near one-year peak hit on Wednesday. Lower yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding bullion, which pays no interest. Federal Reserve officials were still prepared to keep monetary policy easy to help the coronavirus-hit economy, minutes of the Fed's January meeting showed. Investor focus remained on the developments of a $1.9 trillion U.S. coronavirus stimulus. U.S. retail sales rebounded in January, while U.S. producer prices increased by the most since 2009, suggesting inflation was starting to rise. "Other asset classes as well as those within commodities are providing a more compelling investment payoff than gold presently," cautioned Michael Langford, director at corporate advisory AirGuide. "We're seeing a re-allocation under renewed optimism, factory orders and general views of stronger underlying growth," Langford said, adding gold's typical attribute as an inflationary hedge was not enough to counter the strong demand for other assets. Analysts also said the recent technical move of gold's 50-day moving average price dipping below the 200-day moving average, known as a death cross, could lead to more selling. Silver eased 0.7% to $27.17 an ounce. Platinum gained 0.3% to $1,256.86 and palladium rose 0.1% to $2,372.59.

Gold off two and half months low as US Treasury yields retreat

Jabir McKnight woke up on the morning of Jan. 6 with an uneasy feeling.

The day before had been great: He and another congressional staff member had celebrated Founders Day for their historically Black fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi. But as McKnight walked that Wednesday to Capitol Hill, where he had always felt safe, images of white supremacist violence in Charleston, South Carolina, and Charlottesville, Virginia, began to race through his head.

Hours before the violent pro-Trump mob rampaged through the halls of Congress, leaving nearly 140 police officers injured and five people dead, McKnight recalled, he could not shake the sense that something very bad was about to happen.

“The writing was on the wall for this,” said McKnight, 23, who is the communications director for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas.

He pointed to examples of right-wing violence in recent months and years. “For Black staffers, it’s a little bit different, because a lot of these attacks are directed toward our people,” he said. “We’ve seen these things happen over and over and over again. I don’t think we were blinded that people who are domestic terrorists would say, ‘Oh, it’s the Capitol, we’ll stop there.’”

Symbols of racism and white supremacy were on full display at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Rioters paraded the Confederate battle flag through the halls. One man wore a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt, others flew the flag of the fictional country Kekistan, which mimics a Nazi war flag.

Black Capitol Police officers have described the intense racism they endured from the mob; one told Buzzfeed News he was called a racist slur 15 times, causing him to break down in tears.

Only a small percentage of congressional aides are Black. Since the attack, McKnight and others who were in nearby offices in the Capitol complex that day have been talking among themselves about how close the violence came to them, what it means to experience such a virulent expression of racism in what is supposed to be a citadel of liberty, and the suspicion they now feel toward other aides, members of Congress and random people they encounter as they go about their business on Capitol Hill.

“It makes the trauma worse,” McKnight said. “Because as you’re walking around, you don’t know who could have been involved with what.”

For some Black staff members, the Capitol attack brought back memories of how they had tried to avoid people they felt could be prone to racist violence — only to find them at their place of work.

“This was the ugliest display of racism that I’ve seen ever. And I’m from the South,” says Remmington Belford, 30, the communications director for Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y. “There’s a specific demographic of people that you know conduct themselves that way, and you find your way away from them. Those people came to Capitol Hill. The people who believe in supremacy due to genetics were on Capitol Hill, and they were armed, and they were incensed.”

The staff members described feelings of fear about the physical threat and anger about the psychic damage done by the mob.

“I never though I’d see the Confederate flag walked through the halls of Congress,” said Mike McQuerry, 50, the communications director for Delegate Stacey Plaskett, D-Virgin Islands and an impeachment manager in the trial of former President Donald Trump. “As much as we think we’ve had progress, we haven’t progressed that much.”

McQuerry said that white rioters, using force and rage, gained access to parts of the Capitol that had always been off-limits to him, like Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office or the floor of the Senate.

“Those insurgents got to places where we as staffers couldn’t go,” he said, “places we wouldn’t even think about going.”

McKnight, Belford and McQuerry watched the worst of the violence from fortified offices in the Rayburn Building on the House side of the Capitol complex.

“The fear was very present,” Belford said, adding that he had planned two escape routes, including rushing through a window. “As far as close? They were steps away. Let’s be very clear. There’s no force that protects us in Rayburn” once the rioters breached the Capitol.

“We were fortified in our offices,” McKnight said. “You don’t know what’s on the other side of the door. You never knew what was on the other side. We were worried about any sound we heard. Are they here? Are they in the building? The only time you would have known is when it was too late. Everyone was terrified.”

As they watched the mayhem that day, the aides said, they feared for their lives, realizing that not only lawmakers could be attacked but so could they.

After the siege, congressional aides have reported trouble sleeping and feeling anxious, claustrophobic, angry and depressed. Lawmakers have requested additional resources to support the mental health needs of employees in response to surging demand.

“It was the first time I realized that post-traumatic stress syndrome is a thing,” said Belford, who is from Houston. “We as staffers are still dealing with the trauma.”

Despite what they experienced that day, McQuerry, who is from Detroit, said staff members felt an obligation to push on with work.

“There’s not that many of us that work up here,” he said of Black aides to members of Congress. “It’s affected us tremendously. We have to just push through. I think we deal with it every day. PTSD is really real.”

During the riot, some Democratic lawmakers said they thought they might be able to blend in with Republican members of Congress to avoid the violence. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., said recently on the House floor that he recognized his privilege when this thought occurred to him.

“Within moments, I realized that blending in was not an option available to our colleagues color,” he said. “So I’m here tonight to say to my brothers and sisters in Congress, and all around our country: I’m sorry. I’m sorry. For I had never understood, really understood, what privilege really means.”

Aides who represent members of color said they were well aware that Black lawmakers could be targeted because “our members are some of the most vocal against Trump’s harmful and divisive practices,” Belford said. “The fear was very present. We cannot blend in. We cannot not be visible. Our skin color often becomes a target.”

They were reminded this week of the threats to lawmakers when a top security official suggested on Tuesday that members of Congress consider upgrading their home security systems to include panic buttons and key fobs. In a lengthy memo sent to House lawmakers and their aides, Timothy Blodgett, the acting sergeant-at-arms, reiterated measures that he advised lawmakers to take to protect their Washington and district offices as well as their homes.

The guidance — which encouraged refraining from posting about lawmakers’ appearances at events until after they have “safely left,” using special hoods to reduce exposure to “harmful materials” sent by mail and installing panic buttons in lawmakers’ homes — starkly illustrated the continuing shock waves after the Jan. 6 attack.

Lawmakers have received briefings on a handful of specific active threats to the Capitol and to members after the attack, and court documents have detailed plans by individuals in the pro-Trump mob to kill specific members of Congress.

One man threatened to put “a bullet” in Pelosi’s head “on Live TV,”; another threatened to assassinate Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., that day, according to federal prosecutors.

McKnight, who is from Philadelphia, said he had spoken with colleagues who felt shocked after moving to Washington.

“So where can you go?” McKnight said. “You just moved to D.C. to work in politics and be in a safe environment, and now that’s changed.”

As traumatizing as the riot was, the staff members said they had also received an outpouring of support.

During the attack, Plaskett posted on Twitter a photograph of her staff, including McQuerry, telling the public they were safe. McQuerry said he received a flood of texts containing messages such as “I love you” and “be safe.”

McKnight said he was also inundated with support from friends, family and acquaintances.

“We could have lost our lives,” he said. “Not only were people watching, but people cared.”

Jabir McKnight woke up on the morning of Jan. 6 with an uneasy feeling. The day before had been great: He and another congressional staff member had celebrated Founders Day for their historically Black fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi.

Jabir McKnight woke up on the morning of Jan. 6 with an uneasy feeling. The day before had been great: He and another congressional staff member had celebrated Founders Day for their historically Black fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi. But as McKnight walked that Wednesday to Capitol Hill, where he had always felt safe, images of white supremacist violence in Charleston, South Carolina, and Charlottesville, Virginia, began to race through his head. Hours before the violent pro-Trump mob rampaged through the halls of Congress, leaving nearly 140 police officers injured and five people dead, McKnight recalled, he could not shake the sense that something very bad was about to happen. “The writing was on the wall for this,” said McKnight, 23, who is the communications director for Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas. He pointed to examples of right-wing violence in recent months and years. “For Black staffers, it’s a little bit different, because a lot of these attacks are directed toward our people,” he said. “We’ve seen these things happen over and over and over again. I don’t think we were blinded that people who are domestic terrorists would say, ‘Oh, it’s the Capitol, we’ll stop there.’” Symbols of racism and white supremacy were on full display at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Rioters paraded the Confederate battle flag through the halls. One man wore a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt, others flew the flag of the fictional country Kekistan, which mimics a Nazi war flag. Black Capitol Police officers have described the intense racism they endured from the mob; one told Buzzfeed News he was called a racist slur 15 times, causing him to break down in tears. Only a small percentage of congressional aides are Black. Since the attack, McKnight and others who were in nearby offices in the Capitol complex that day have been talking among themselves about how close the violence came to them, what it means to experience such a virulent expression of racism in what is supposed to be a citadel of liberty, and the suspicion they now feel toward other aides, members of Congress and random people they encounter as they go about their business on Capitol Hill. “It makes the trauma worse,” McKnight said. “Because as you’re walking around, you don’t know who could have been involved with what.” For some Black staff members, the Capitol attack brought back memories of how they had tried to avoid people they felt could be prone to racist violence — only to find them at their place of work. “This was the ugliest display of racism that I’ve seen ever. And I’m from the South,” says Remmington Belford, 30, the communications director for Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y. “There’s a specific demographic of people that you know conduct themselves that way, and you find your way away from them. Those people came to Capitol Hill. The people who believe in supremacy due to genetics were on Capitol Hill, and they were armed, and they were incensed.” The staff members described feelings of fear about the physical threat and anger about the psychic damage done by the mob. “I never though I’d see the Confederate flag walked through the halls of Congress,” said Mike McQuerry, 50, the communications director for Delegate Stacey Plaskett, D-Virgin Islands and an impeachment manager in the trial of former President Donald Trump. “As much as we think we’ve had progress, we haven’t progressed that much.” McQuerry said that white rioters, using force and rage, gained access to parts of the Capitol that had always been off-limits to him, like Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office or the floor of the Senate. “Those insurgents got to places where we as staffers couldn’t go,” he said, “places we wouldn’t even think about going.” McKnight, Belford and McQuerry watched the worst of the violence from fortified offices in the Rayburn Building on the House side of the Capitol complex. “The fear was very present,” Belford said, adding that he had planned two escape routes, including rushing through a window. “As far as close? They were steps away. Let’s be very clear. There’s no force that protects us in Rayburn” once the rioters breached the Capitol. “We were fortified in our offices,” McKnight said. “You don’t know what’s on the other side of the door. You never knew what was on the other side. We were worried about any sound we heard. Are they here? Are they in the building? The only time you would have known is when it was too late. Everyone was terrified.” As they watched the mayhem that day, the aides said, they feared for their lives, realizing that not only lawmakers could be attacked but so could they. After the siege, congressional aides have reported trouble sleeping and feeling anxious, claustrophobic, angry and depressed. Lawmakers have requested additional resources to support the mental health needs of employees in response to surging demand. “It was the first time I realized that post-traumatic stress syndrome is a thing,” said Belford, who is from Houston. “We as staffers are still dealing with the trauma.” Despite what they experienced that day, McQuerry, who is from Detroit, said staff members felt an obligation to push on with work. “There’s not that many of us that work up here,” he said of Black aides to members of Congress. “It’s affected us tremendously. We have to just push through. I think we deal with it every day. PTSD is really real.” During the riot, some Democratic lawmakers said they thought they might be able to blend in with Republican members of Congress to avoid the violence. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., said recently on the House floor that he recognized his privilege when this thought occurred to him. “Within moments, I realized that blending in was not an option available to our colleagues color,” he said. “So I’m here tonight to say to my brothers and sisters in Congress, and all around our country: I’m sorry. I’m sorry. For I had never understood, really understood, what privilege really means.” Aides who represent members of color said they were well aware that Black lawmakers could be targeted because “our members are some of the most vocal against Trump’s harmful and divisive practices,” Belford said. “The fear was very present. We cannot blend in. We cannot not be visible. Our skin color often becomes a target.” They were reminded this week of the threats to lawmakers when a top security official suggested on Tuesday that members of Congress consider upgrading their home security systems to include panic buttons and key fobs. In a lengthy memo sent to House lawmakers and their aides, Timothy Blodgett, the acting sergeant-at-arms, reiterated measures that he advised lawmakers to take to protect their Washington and district offices as well as their homes. The guidance — which encouraged refraining from posting about lawmakers’ appearances at events until after they have “safely left,” using special hoods to reduce exposure to “harmful materials” sent by mail and installing panic buttons in lawmakers’ homes — starkly illustrated the continuing shock waves after the Jan. 6 attack. Lawmakers have received briefings on a handful of specific active threats to the Capitol and to members after the attack, and court documents have detailed plans by individuals in the pro-Trump mob to kill specific members of Congress. One man threatened to put “a bullet” in Pelosi’s head “on Live TV,”; another threatened to assassinate Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., that day, according to federal prosecutors. McKnight, who is from Philadelphia, said he had spoken with colleagues who felt shocked after moving to Washington. “So where can you go?” McKnight said. “You just moved to D.C. to work in politics and be in a safe environment, and now that’s changed.” As traumatizing as the riot was, the staff members said they had also received an outpouring of support. During the attack, Plaskett posted on Twitter a photograph of her staff, including McQuerry, telling the public they were safe. McQuerry said he received a flood of texts containing messages such as “I love you” and “be safe.” McKnight said he was also inundated with support from friends, family and acquaintances. “We could have lost our lives,” he said. “Not only were people watching, but people cared.”

For black aides on Capitol Hill, Jan. 6 brought particular trauma

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