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Utah man who threatened Biden shot, killed in FBI raid


With a broken window in the background, FBI agents process the home of Craig Robertson who was shot and killed by the FBI in a raid on his home last morning in Provo, Utah. (AFP)
With a broken window in the background, FBI agents process the home of Craig Robertson who was shot and killed by the FBI in a raid on his home last morning in Provo, Utah. (AFP)
A Utah man who made threats against Joe Biden was shot and killed by FBI agents on Wednesday, just hours before a visit by the US president to the western state.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that a suspect was killed when special agents tried to serve arrest and search warrants at a residence in Provo, a city south of Salt Lake City.
The bureau declined to identify the slain man, saying an investigation was ongoing, but he was named in a complaint filed by federal prosecutors in Utah as Craig Robertson.
According to the complaint, Robertson, who was in his early 70s and described himself as a “MAGA Trumper,” repeatedly threatened Biden and others in posts on social media. “I hear Biden is coming to Utah,” Robertson said in a post this week. “Cleaning the dust off the M24 sniper rifle. “Welcom (sic), buffoon-in-chief!”
In addition to Biden, the complaint said Robertson had also made threats against Vice-President Kamala Harris and US Attorney General Merrick Garland.
“The time is right for a presidential assassination or two,” one post said. “First Joe then Kamala!!!”
He had also threatened to shoot Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, who has filed charges against former president Donald Trump for allegedly paying election-eve hush money to an actress. The complaint also included pictures from social media postings by Robertson of his extensive collection of guns, including a semi-automatic rifle he called a “Democrat eradicator.”
Biden is currently visiting the western United States and is scheduled to fly later Wednesday from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Salt Lake City. The US Secret Service, which protects the president, said it is “aware of the FBI investigation involving an individual in Utah who has exhibited threats to a Secret Service protectee” but provided no further details.
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Ticket sales for ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 begin

The Qatar Table Tennis Federation has officially announced the launch of ticket sales for the upcoming ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals, which will be hosted in Doha from May 17-25, 2025.This marks a historic return of the prestigious event to Qatar, which first hosted the World Championships in 2004, making it the first country in the Middle East to do so. Now, more than two decades later, Doha is gearing up to once again be at the heart of the international table tennis world.Fans eager to attend the championships can now purchase tickets online through the popular Q-Tickets platform. The website provides an easy and convenient way for enthusiasts to secure their seats for the thrilling matches, which will take place at two of Qatar’s premier venues: Lusail Hall and Qatar University Hall. These state-of-the-art locations are set to host the world’s top players as they compete for the coveted titles in men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles events.The ITTF has expressed its anticipation, stating: “Tickets for the World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 are now available for purchase through the official ticketing platform, Q-Tickets. We look forward to welcoming you to Doha!”Preparations for the championship are well underway, with the Qatar Table Tennis Federation making extensive efforts to ensure the event’s success.The organising committee is committed to delivering an exceptional edition of the World Championships, building on Qatar’s reputation for hosting world-class sporting events. As the first Arab and Gulf country to host the championship twice, Qatar possesses the infrastructure, organisational expertise, and world-class facilities needed to stage a successful tournament.Thani al-Zarraa, a member of the Qatar Federation’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the National Teams Committee, confirmed that the federation is well-prepared to host the tournament in May.“We have reached the semi-final stages and have completed approximately 90 percent of the tournament’s preparatory tasks,” al-Zarraa stated.“We have selected five 5-star hotels for the delegations, and transportation arrangements have been made to ensure smooth travel for players and guests from the hotels to the competition venues.” Al-Zarraa also mentioned that the tournament mascot would be revealed in the coming weeks, and the tournament draw would take place at the Mall of Qatar at the end of this month.The tournament promises to feature some of the brightest stars in the world of table tennis, with top-ranked players from around the globe set to compete for the title. The list of participants will be revealed in early April, just before the draw takes place.As part of its preparations, the Qatar Table Tennis Federation has hosted several combined international tournaments in recent months, providing invaluable experience for its staff and volunteers. These events, including one held in January, have served as key rehearsals for the World Championships, ensuring that Qatar’s organisational capabilities are fully tested and refined ahead of the main event.The ITTF has expressed confidence in Qatar’s ability to deliver a memorable and unique edition of the World Championships, different from any that have come before it. With meticulous planning, top-tier facilities, and a world-class organising team, the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships in Doha promises to be an unforgettable spectacle for fans and players alike.

Gulf Times
Employees of the Department of Health and Human Services queue outside the Mary E Switzer Memorial Building in Washington, DC, after it was reported that the Trump administration fired staff at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention  and at the Food and Drug Administration, as it embarked on its plan to cut 10,000 jobs at the HHS. – Reuters
Michael Buble