https://syrianobserver.com/EN/news/49557/irans-presence-on-syrian-coast-angers-russia.html

Russia has expressed its anger over Damascus’ granting of Iran the right to operate the western Latakia port on the Mediterranean. This marks the first time that Tehran is given a foothold on the Mediterranean near Russia’s bases in Tartus and Latakia.

On February 25, Syrian Transport Minister Ali Hammoud had requested that the port director form a team to hold talks with Iranian officials on the management of the facility. The decision was taken at Iran’s request to be given authority over the port in return for the financial and military support it has shown Damascus throughout the past eight years of war.

The port has been operated for years by Syria and a French company, but the agreement with Iran will see Tehran operate the facility starting the coming fall

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/apr/04/police-amass-10000-officers-in-preparation-for-no-deal-unrest

Police chiefs have voiced fears that inflammatory rhetoric from politicians and activists could fuel Brexit tensions as they revealed they have amassed their biggest ever peacetime reserve of 10,000 officers to deal with potential unrest in the event of no deal.

The military could be used and police and army chiefs have held talks about how they could be used if needed.

Hall said police would not guard supply chains for medicines and food because those responsible had enough time to put plans into place and police feared being stretched too thin. Ports would be expected to “police” any queues themselves with uniformed police officers on standby if crimes were committed.

He said there had been 37 Brexit-related crimes in the last fortnight, half of which were malicious communication, with other offences including verbal abuse and harassment.

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/437115-house-panel-approves-bill-reinstating-net-neutrality-rules

House Democrats advanced their flagship net neutrality bill on Wednesday, clearing the final hurdle before a floor vote next week.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee in a 30-22 party-line vote approved the Save the Internet Act, which would reinstate the Federal Communications Commission's Obama-era regulations requiring internet service providers to treat all web traffic equally.

The party has rallied around the bill as an answer to the Trump FCC's repeal of the rules in 2017. Democratic leaders have scheduled a floor vote on the bill next week, and it is widely expected to pass.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/rep-tim-ryan-expected-to-announce-run-for-president

Congressman Tim Ryan will reportedly announce a run for president this week.

The Ohio Democrat is scheduled to appear on “The View” Thursday and will then appear at a Saturday rally in Youngstown, Ohio, and will potentially announce his bid for the Democratic nomination at the event, according to BuzzFeed News.

Ryan, 45, has a strong base of union support in the Rust Belt state. Bill Padisak, president of the Mahoning-Trumbull AFL-CIO, said he has been asked to shore up support for Saturday’s rally.

“I believe he is going to announce his candidacy for presidency,” Padisak said.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/aoc-on-trumps-claim-his-taxes-are-under-audit-we-didnt-ask-you-234010906.html

President Trump reacted Wednesday to a request made to the IRS by House Democrats for six years of his tax returns, saying he was “not inclined” to make them public as they remain “under audit.”

On Twitter, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., offered a quick rejoinder to the president

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/04/03/idaho-lowers-concealed-carry-age-to-18-statewide/

Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed legislation Tuesday that lowers the concealed carry age to 18 statewide.

On March 27, Breitbart News reported that Idaho and Kansas were both considering legislation to lower their minimum age for concealed carry from 21 to 18. The law in Idaho allowed 18-year-olds to carry concealed firearms outside of city limits, but the legislation Little signed removed the prohibition against the exercise of their right to bear arms in cities.

The Associated Press reported that proponents of dropping the age argued that the laws in the state were not consistent because 18-year-olds could carry in rural areas for self-defense but not in cities.