NASHVILLE — Guns for teachers? Yes, an explosive issue: Emmie Wolf-Dubin, center, yells during a protest outside the Tennessee House chamber in Nashville as lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, that would allow some teachers to be armed in schools in Nashville, TN. Tennessee Lookout reports that the state’s House Republicans passed the legislation 68-28, enabling school districts and local law enforcement to opt in on the law and authorize teachers who complete 40 hours of training to bring weapons to school so they can ward off attackers. The Senate measure moves next to the governor’s office for his signature.

Balcony crowds chanted, “Blood on your hands” and “Vote them out,” and held placards like those shown here after the House vote. Democrats lambasted the bill, stating that students and parents begged them to take action to restrict weapons in the wake of the March 2023 mass shooting at The Covenant School in Green Hills.

MOSCOW — Hopeful image with undetermined outcome: Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the First Appeals Court of General Jurisdiction in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. A court again rejected an appeal from Gershkovich and his legal team against the arrest and pre-trial detention. The 32-year-old Gershkovich, who was detained on espionage charges in Yekaterinburg last year, will remain jailed in Russia until at least late June. Russian authorities have routinely extended his time behind bars and rejected his appeals.

According to a CBS News report, analysts believe that Moscow may be using jailed Americans as bargaining chips in escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

VATICAN — Part of his job — a thumbs up for the followers: Pope Francis waves to the faithful as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. During each general audience, the Pope imparts his Apostolic Blessing upon the crowd, which also extends to loved ones who are sick and suffering. He also blesses any religious articles, such as rosary beads people have brought with them for the purpose of the blessing.

The Pope also gives a homily (not part of a Mass) on points of catechism. His theme on April 24 was “Vices and Virtues: The Life of Grace according to the Spirit.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A key moment in legislation: President Joe Biden speaks before signing a $95 billion Ukraine aid package that also includes support for Israel, Taiwan, and other allies, in the State Dining Room of the White House, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Washington. Biden said he was immediately rushing badly needed weaponry to Ukraine that will begin making its way into Ukraine “in the next few hours.”

Referring to the protracted Congressional battle over whether to prioritize foreign aid (with Republicans locked in an internal fight), Biden declared, “We rose to the moment, we came together, and we got it done. Now, we need to move fast, and we are.”

LONDON — Not ALL the King’s Horses, but some of the men. Two riderless horses from the royal Household Cavalry bolted into rush-hour traffic through the streets of London, near Aldwych, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Authorities later revealed to the Wall Street Journal and other news sources that the horses had gotten spooked during exercises for Trooping the Colour, an annual military parade to mark King Charles III’s official birthday in June. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, an elite military unit, had left their Hyde Park barracks for what is called “watering order,” when horses trot through London to exercise.

However, the sudden clatter of construction materials falling from a nearby building onto the street startled the animals, and off they galloped, throwing the riders off their mounts. 

FRANKFURT — Dramatic backdrop for an ascending airliner, even more dramatic for the passengers: The moon rises behind the television tower in Frankfurt, Germany, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the Pink Moon — which lasts about three days — is named for the herb moss pink, also known as creeping phlox, a plant native to the eastern U.S. The Pink Moon can be seen worldwide when the skies are clear. According to the lunar Hebrew calendar, it’s known as the Passover or Pesach Moon, as this eight-day Jewish festival celebrating freedom begins during a full moon this year on April 22.

April’s full Moon has other native names, including the Egg Moon, Fish Moon and Sprouting Grass Moon.

BRASILIA — Closeup of the continuous struggle for recognition by the indigenous population: An Indigenous woman smokes a pipe during the 20th annual Free Land Indigenous Camp in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The 7-day event aims to show the unity of Brazil’s Indigenous peoples in their fight for the demarcation of their lands and their rights. Historically, Brazil has been an exemplar in demonstrating the potential for reducing deforestation and strengthening indigenous peoples’ legal land rights. Brazil’s Constitution of 1988 explicitly protects indigenous rights.

However, not all elected leaders have honored this facet of the constitution or have delayed the demarcation of land. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claimed the delay in his pledge to demarcate six parcels was made at the behest of state governors and that new territories had to be found for the 800 non-Indigenous peoples who would be displaced during the demarcation.

LONDON — Prepping for the Olympics in white water: Britain’s Adam Burgess paddles C1 on the course at Lee Valley Whitewater Centre in London, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Britain’s best canoe slalom athletes are set to embark on the 2024 international season, which will culminate in the Olympic Games in July. World Champions Joe Clarke MBE, Mallory Franklin and Kimberley Woods, alongside Tokyo finalist Adam Burgess, have already booked their spots at Paris 2024.

Canoe Slalom, one of two kayak and canoeing events in the Summer Olympics, is a competitive sport in which athletes try to get the fastest times in navigating a decked canoe or kayak through a course of hanging downstream or upstream gates on river rapids.

LONDON — It’s a hug and a tug and a headbutt: Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus, left, duels for the ball with Chelsea’s Thiago Silva during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium in London, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Arsenal beat Chelsea in a shutout score of 5-0, thus extending Arsenal’s lead.

The #1-ranked team was originally founded in 1886 when a group of workers from the Woolwich Arsenal Armament Factory decided to form a football team, naming it the Royal Arsenal. It has been one of England’s top soccer clubs in team history.

ROME — Fast, lithe action — one of the reasons soccer’s popularity grows: Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot, right, jumps for the ball with Lazio’s Matias Vecino during the Italian Cup semi-final soccer match between Lazio and Juventus at Rome’s Olympic Stadium in Italy, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Juventus won 3-2 on aggregate, thanks to a late goal.

Juventus, which has won the Italian Cup a record 14 times, will face either Atalanta or Fiorentina for the May 15 final in Rome.

TRUMP TOWER — A well-choreographed photo op — a candidate seeking life beyond court appearances: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump meets with former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso at Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan in New York, Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Aso’s meeting comes on the heels of last week’s White House visit from Japan’s current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who solidified his nation’s friendship with the United States. There has arisen concern in Japan over what a possible Trump victory might mean for that relationship.

The 83-year-old Aso is now vice president of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party and is considered a kingmaker.