A believer in UAPs (or UFOs) takes aim at UAVs (or drones)

Legislation that would make it legal for people to shoot down drones over their property, introduced in March by U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, is drawing fire from law enforcement and other users of unmanned aerial vehicles.

The bill, dubbed the Defense Against Drones Act, “permits individuals to use a legally obtained shotgun to shoot down a drone if they reasonably believe it is flying at or below 200 feet above their property,” the Tennessee Republican said in a news release.

“While this legislation does not mandate that the individual who shoots down the drone return it to its owner, they are required to report the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration … within 60 days if the drone’s registration number is identifiable,” he said.

The proposal is probably a long shot, and it has yet to draw any co-sponsors. But for Burchett, it is part of a larger quest in Congress to unmask mysterious flying objects.

—CQ-Roll Call

Illinois becomes first state to mandate halal, kosher meals be available in public institutions such as schools

CHICAGO — Muslim students who eat halal usually only have a few options in the school cafeteria line once they’ve passed the hamburgers, chicken nuggets and deli sandwiches: a slice of cheese pizza, maybe a salad, fruit, yogurt, a carton of milk.

“Just not a lot of healthy, filling choices to pick from,” said Khadija Basith, whose children attend Forest Glen Elementary School in Glen Ellyn. “Even if there aren’t halal options, I want to at least see them offering a good veggie burger or a good fish wrap.”

Halal refers to food that is permissible according to Islam’s rules. Meats such as chicken and beef are halal depending on how the animal was treated, slaughtered and prepared. Pork, for instance, is never halal. Students who abide by halal rules tend to choose vegetarian meals or seafood to play it safe.

Basith’s is among the many Muslim families who, for decades, have had to be extra conscientious about what their kids are consuming at school, where the lack of oversight and accommodations for religious dietary requirements has been a long-standing issue.

—Chicago Tribune

For the first time in 25 years, California has a snowpack trifecta

LOS ANGELES — The year may have started with a dry spell, but the end of California’s storm season has brought more fresh snow to the Sierra Nevada, pushing the state’s snowpack to 96% of average on April 1, when the snow season typically reaches its peak.

The near-average snowpack has given the state a third straight year of ample water supplies in the mountains — something that hasn’t happened in a quarter of a century.

“Earlier on, there were some indicators that we might have a dry year, but fortunately, the storm windows have stayed open and given us a good boost in February and March to be where we are today,” said Andy Reising, manager of snow surveys and water supply forecasting for the California Department of Water Resources.

This near-average winter followed an extremely wet and snowy 2023 and a wet 2024. This time last year, the snowpack measured 111% of average. The dominance of wet weather has brought a reprieve from the severe drought Californians endured from 2020 through 2022, the state’s driest three-year period on record.

—Los Angeles Times

Myanmar earthquake death toll nears 3,000 as hopes for survivors fade

BANGKOK — The death toll from Myanmar's powerful earthquake has risen to 2,886, according to the ruling military junta, with more than 4,600 people injured and around 370 still missing after five days.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing said on Wednesday that hopes of finding more survivors under the rubble were dwindling. Despite the grim outlook, there continues to be unlikely rescues.

A 26-year-old man was found alive in the ruins of a hotel in the capital Naypyidaw, with Turkish rescue teams reportedly involved in his recovery. On Tuesday, a woman had been pulled from the debris after more than 90 hours.

Aid organizations warn that the true number of missing people may be far higher than official figures suggest. Doctors Without Borders said ongoing conflict, communication failures and access restrictions are making it difficult to assess the full scale of the disaster and medical needs, especially in remote areas.

—dpa